Tag: love

Monday Messages…

Wiwohka14 Comments

Priorities!

While you may be used to my switching things out, now and again, I am about to perform a major alteration in the normal order of things about this site!

Why? What could be the reason for such sudden changes? Take a wild guess…

If you thought the answer was “A BABY”, then you win the prize!

I had a great many delusions of grandeur, in regards to this summer’s line up of stories, jokes, and anecdotes to regale you with… but, that has been thrown out with the bath water, as they say.

This ole mare ain’t what she used to be, at least when it comes to balancing a nearly 25 lb. baby on her hip for hours at a time. It never occurred to me how much energy my grandbaby would be requiring. So, after this last weeks schedule, I realized that things would have to change drastically, at least for the time being. As she grows and becomes more independent, things should normalize. For now though, we’ll be navigating these writing/baby waters more thoughtfully. Work smarter and not harder, as they say.

I realize that I’d previously told Lilly that Monday’s would be her baby question series, but I really need her help with things aboard the ship, as we search for Squagon’s lost squirrel kingdom.

I feel bad, honestly I do, but it made more sense to focus on one or two important tasks, rather than try and hold up the entire schedule of baby care, website activity, and my own personal projects that go on, after the daily posts have been completed.

I know she’s upset at the moment, but I give you my word that she’ll get her chance to write on Mondays, upon our return from this summers travels. Besides, there will be so much activity about the ship, and tasks she’ll be needed for; it’s doubtful that the ant will have a moment to think on it.

The two commitments I’ve chosen to hold myself to, are the Thursday and Friday postings. It shouldn’t be difficult to send you the updates from our journeys aboard The Torrent, as captain’s logs are a requirement while under sail… I think it’s maritime law, or something like that. The Friday posting, while supposed to be written live on that morning, will actually be worked out several days prior, after Maisie flies home to her mamma. Well, she doesn’t actually fly herself home. Brutus takes her back and forth, being that he can fly, and all.

From here on out, we shall be winging it, as they say. I know, I know… I use that sayin a lot. But, it’s not really my fault though. I can’t help it if those sayings keep popping into my head, and I’m certainly not going to take credit for what somebody else thought up!

This was a rather long winded way of saying that I’m busier than I expected to be, and the time spent with my granddaughter is far more precious than any writing I might ever accomplish. The writing will always be there, ready to go, but these fleeting days spent with Maisie are far more important, and they won’t be here for long. Before we know it, she’ll be walking, talking, and growing up. I choose not to miss any of it, not even for a moment!

And, I plan on sharing all those moments with you, my WordPress family. Isn’t that what family is all about?!

Hugs

Tiny Tuesday Tinkering…

WiwohkaLeave a comment

With Monday being as busy as it was, what with baby Maisie here, I wasn’t able to do my normal writing, like I’d planned. Things should be a bit more settled by next week, and then I’ll start my new Exploring Babies series.

For now, Wiwohka said that I could help her with the Tuesday Tinkering segment she normally does. I guess she felt bad for leaving me out, yesterday. I totally understood though, just by watching her carry a huge baby around all day. How can something so little, be so heavy? But that’s for my Monday writings, so no spoilers.

Any how, I know Wiwohka’s been really hard a work, writing the story about the baby orc, and all. I thought I would surprise her with a new character creation for the baby’s mom. I know there isn’t one made, as of yet. But if I don’t make it quick, Wiwohka will make one before I get the chance to do it for her.

Let’s see if I can do this. I’ve been watching how it’s done, so I think it might be possible to do, even if I am only a tiny ant. Here we go…

Now, we already have the first image Wiwohka used for last weeks episode, so we’ll start by using her for our template,

There was also one other image that was made, but not utilized yet,

I think her face seems too pinched, or to snooty, if you will. Baby Brugo is adorable, and I can’t imagine his mamma to be so gruff looking, even for an orc.

I used the program feature that allows me to make some images that are either slightly varied, or greatly varied, from the original image. When I tried the slightly varied, I got this,

When I opted for the greatly varied button, I got this one,

I like this second one, much better than the first. She looks softer, and more like what Ollie would be drawn toward. Well, that’s what I want to think, anyway.

So, now comes the hard part. We take the three images, along with a few different poses of each, so that the computer has enough to work with, and we head to the creation board. Wish me luck!

…………………………………… intermission ………………………………………….

Wow! That was much harder than I thought it would be. Wiwohka made it look rather easy to do, but I found it nearly impossible, at first. In the end, I think I did alright. She will either fix it the way she wants it, or simply make one of her own characters, though I hope she’ll be pleasantly surprised, just as I hope you will be…

I like her! She is a warrior, of course, but still a mamma. I know that orc’s are known for their prowess in war, as well as, their fierce angry nature, but she’s still a mother, right?! Mamma’s love their babies, don’t they? I hope Wiwohka will see that in this character, but that’s for her to decide, not me.

Well, I hope I did alright for this mornings tinkering session. Thanks for letting me be a part of it. In the future, however, I think I’ll leave all this technical stuff to the professionals. I’m gonna stick to the writing bits from now on. That’s where this ant excels, don’t you think?

See you next week for my normal Monday Messages… hugs from all of us, here in the barnyard.

Love Lilly

Survival of the most joyful…

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Daily writing prompt
What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?
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Honestly, my list of simple pleasures is extraordinarily long, so I’m unable to pick just one to describe. Since that makes for a very poor response to the daily prompt, I want to make the effort of giving you something worth reading.

If I can’t answer straight up, then the next best thing is to seek somebody else’s answer, right?! So, I asked Mr. McGoogle the prompt question. The response was much better than I expected. Instead of giving just a basic answer, the ai overview actually helped me understand why it was so hard to pick a simple answer.

Why is it so hard to pick one? Because we’ve been asked to give a simple pleasure that brings joy, not some huge undertaking, or major life-altering activity.

Anyway, here is the response from the web’s ai overview:

Life’s simple pleasures are the easily accessible, everyday moments that ground us. They bypass the need for grand milestones or large budgets, offering immediate calm, happiness, and a restored sense of well-being. [1]

I liked how the ai summed up a little breakdown of what exactly life’s simple pleasures might look like. From there, it broke it down into categories, so you can see how many directions one might go, in selecting their favorite simple pleasure:

Discovering these little pockets of joy helps shift the nervous system into a state of rest and relaxation. Explore some of the most universal everyday joys organized by category: [1]

☕ Sensory & Comfort

  • Taste: The first sip of morning coffee, biting into fresh, juicy fruit, or the rich taste of dark chocolate.
  • Touch: Crawling into bed with fresh, clean sheets, or feeling the warmth of sunshine on your face.
  • Smell: The aroma of fresh rain on hot pavement (petrichor) or the scent of a favorite candle. [1]

🌳 Nature & Outdoors

  • The Elements: Stepping on crunchy leaves in the fall or feeling a cool breeze on a warm afternoon.
  • Observation: Listening to early morning birdsong or looking up at the moon and stars.
  • Sensation: Walking barefoot through plush green grass or breathing fresh, salty air at the beach. [1, 2, 3, 4]

🧘‍♀️ Mind & Body

  • Routine: Waking up naturally without an alarm or taking a cozy afternoon nap.
  • Release: A deep, satisfying stretch after waking up.
  • Peace: The clean, uncluttered calm of a tidy room. [1, 2, 3]

🤝 Connection & Hobbies

  • Communication: Receiving a handwritten letter, or exchanging an effortless laugh with a loved one.
  • Leisure: Sinking into a really good book or listening to an old, nostalgic song.
  • Company: Having a cat choose to rest on your lap, or simply people-watching at a local coffee shop.

If I could choose a simple pleasure from the Sensory and Comfort section, it might be a really rich scented candle, leaving it’s aroma throughout the room. My favorite kinds of candles are the deep, earthy kind, with differing notes of oriental spices, and such.

Choosing a simple pleasure from the Nature and Outdoors section, I’d pick walking barefoot on the beach, and stepping into the surf, just enough to feel the waters pulling me toward it.

From mind and body, I’d probably be the stretching girl. I wonder if yoga would be my jam?

Last but not least comes the Connection and Hobbies section. For this I’m choosing the entire Leisure section, and not just one answer. Why? Because I can, that’s why. Music, books, and old movies are definitely some of my favorite simple pleasures to indulge in, just so you know. But only some, which is why I had to give this incredibly longwinded answer.

Why I didn’t just pick baking cookies, I don’t know. Hey, it’s early and I was a bit slow on the take!

Try one, and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that a good cookie can be a very joyful simple pleasure, or maybe a guilty one. I’m sure you’ll figure it out…

Thursday Thoughts…

Wiwohka5 Comments

It’s been over 30 years since I raised my babies, and at least 5 since I watched over a baby full-time.

While I’d like to say that I’ve got this, no problem, there is still some butterflies in my stomach.

I’m no spring chicken, as they say. Will this body hold up?

My relationship with my daughter is a fragile one, do to my own shortcomings as a mother. It’s almost as if my grandbaby is bridging a gap between the two of us, providing an area of safe ground for rebuilding bonds, once more.

I’ve always wanted and prayed for the opportunity to be there for my daughters, and be the MeeMaw that my grandchildren will adore. Now is one of my chances!

Oh lord, I pray that you give me that which I need, for the sake of those I love.

I don’t even know why I’m writing all this stuff down, really. I guess it helps to put it down on paper, or a computer screen, in this case.

No need for answers, or words of self-affirmation.

It simply helps to write out my thoughts. Then I can observe where they take me, or how they keep me grounded, if that makes any sense.

Obviously, I can remember how to care for a baby. That’s not the issue, I don’t think. Most probably, it’s the fact that she’s not mine, first of all. Caring for something so precious that belongs to another is a wonderful, yet, terrifying venture. I don’t think I ever really doubted myself as a mother. It just felt natural, some how.

With my granddaughter, I feel inadequate, somehow. I’m not mamma! I can’t make all the monsters go away, and make the world feel safe like she can. I smell different than mom, sound different, and behave in a different manner. This will all be a huge adjustment for her, and my desire is to make it as gentle as possible.

Life can take one in so many differing directions, offering a multitude of opportunities and experiences. But something about a baby on scene, and the rest of the world seems to fade to grey… for me, at least.

Babies are such a vivid example of Gods design for humans. They begin life so small, and fragile. Each day, we find their eyes full of wonder at the world around them, as they grow and develop. It’s such an awesome thing to observe a baby learning their first words, taking their first steps, and becoming more independent, and self-reliant.

I feel so honored to get the opportunity to be a part of Maisie’s world. And, you’ll get to read about all of it. Most likely, my Thursdays will be thoughts of all that we’ve been up to, and how we’re both getting along. Maybe that’s boring for you, but honestly, it’s not really about you, nor is it about me any longer.

I’m kind of sick of talking about myself all the time. I think she’s much more interesting, by far.

With all that being said, I am confident that this will be one adventure worth documenting.

Let the fun begin, right?! Well, not til Monday, that is. Until then, I’m gonna play hard like I did when I was a kid. Remember when you knew that school was starting up soon? You played even harder, stayed up later, and slept til it was lunchtime, knowing that those easy days of summer were fast disappearing. I’m gonna play like that, only I do my playing on the computer. Don’t judge! Like I said earlier, I’m no spring chicken anymore.

My adventures are all virtual. Why? Because my body hurts less, afterwards. You do the math…

Less is more…

WiwohkaLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
What are the biggest benefits of minimalist living?
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There’s something interesting about that old adage. The three words, themselves, offer the full answer to the prompt, without needing much more information, don’t you think.

One can take a wordy explanation about how to enjoy much more of your life without amassing a garage full of material things… and simply say, less is more.

Don’t get me wrong, here. I, too, once had a garage full of toys, gadgets, and more. It wasn’t like those things just sat, collecting dust. We used them, therefore, we assumed they were necessary wants, not just want wants. It’s easy to justify having more than we actually need. And, it’s not always a bad thing. The reality sets in when the things we put our hopes in, fall away from our grasp.

There was a time when we had plenty, and then suddenly, it was gone… all of it!

How you survive and overcome great loss is what makes you who you are. It will define your character, for the better… or possibly not, depending on how much you valued all that was lost.

What I discovered during our time living in that old R.V., and into our homeless bit, was the art of finding solutions, the act of letting go, and the gift of gratitude!

We live quite modestly, now, compared to before. To some, it may seem impoverished, but quite probably it’s more comfortable than many others will ever experience. We don’t have much, but what we do have is cared for, and never taken for granted. And if we lose it, we replace it, or simply make do without it.

While I could easily come up with a list of things I could use, as anyone might do, I won’t. Why? Because living with minimal things has now become an actual way of life, at least in my mind. I can’t speak for my husband, of course.

The way I see it, having less means there’s more space in my head, my house, and my heart. There’s a sense of freedom in not being tethered to a large amount of materials that are all crying out to be used, repaired, and/or stored somewhere.

When we have to move, we move fast and light. When we exist in small and limited spaces, it’s comfortable and not overcrowded.

And, more importantly, my heart now seeks other treasures and beautiful things. You just might not see what I see. Our home may be empty of many material things, but it’s never truly empty. Instead, it’s full of love, laughter, light, and shared dreams. Dreams that are still yet to come true.

Plus, since there’s so much room in my kitchen, I’ve plenty of space for baking all these cookies…

Monday Messages…

Wiwohka10 Comments

I want to do things a little differently this morning. I know that we normally pick strange words in the English language, just to learn and understand more about properly reading and writing. But sometimes, life takes us in directions we didn’t see coming. I guess that’s where my mind is, just now.

Don’t get me wrong, I still want to become a famous writer, and all. That’s a dream that will never stop growing, a passion that will never diminish!

What I’m trying to say is that I feel like maybe it would be kind of fun to be a part of something bigger, and much more important.

Wiwohka’s grandbaby will now be with us three days a week, which means that everything is changing around the barnyard. Routines are all going to be different, which won’t allow us to write as much as we normally do. I want to help with the baby, more than I feel like writing, lately. Is that wrong?

I mean, she’s not MY baby, but still. She’s just adorable, and I smile so much when I see her that my cheeks hurt. I’m sure that Wiwohka will need my help, but I don’t really know that much about babies. I was thinking that perhaps I can still practice my reading and writing skills, while still being of use to Wiwohka, and little Maisie.

What if we use Monday Messages to look up different things about babies, and all that goes into caring for them? This will help me learn all about babies, and at the same time, I can practice my spelling and proper word usage. While I doubt this will be anything new for you, it will aid me. What good is an ant that doesn’t know anything, right?!

I do know that babies sleep a lot, eat a lot, and poop a lot. But, aside from that, I’m just certain that there is more to be learned about a baby. So, just to prove this to myself, I shall be embarking on an educational journey through the forests of baby lore. How did they do it way back then? What changes were for the better, and what ones were not so helpful? What things have remained the same, since the beginning?

You see, there are a number of things to study and write about, when it comes to babies. I thought it might be fun to write about Wiwohka’s and Maisie’s journey together, and document all the changes along the way. Plus, if Wiwohka’s daughter reads anything about it, maybe she won’t be so unhappy about going back to work. They visited the other day, and I could tell that she was sad about it. But, our place is just down the road from her work, so she’s not far away. I still feel bad for her, though.

Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me using Monday Messages to learn more about babies. It won’t last forever, as I’ve heard that babies tend to grow very fast. Before you know it, we’ll be back to our regular writings.

I don’t have to wish…

Wiwohka3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What super power do you wish you had and why?
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Happily, I can say that I already have a super power, so this prompt would be more aptly written as, “What super power are you glad you have and why?”

While I could play a game of riddles with you, in order to assist in your discovering what my answer might be, I won’t. To save time, I’ll make things easy for you.

My super power is Invisibility!

I can vanish from before your eyes, only to reappear at a later time, and place. Yes, it’s true! I’ve been doing it now for a number of years. Some might think that if one always fades away into the shadows, their life would simply be a lonely place of existence. But, surprise… it’s not lonely, at all. Well, not all the time, anyway.

When I get to feeling a bit on the lonely side I’ll surface for a bit, but only that.

When one reappears to those in their environment, that’s when the drama arrives. The gossip, the strife, and everyone climbing over one another, just to get ahead.

I know it may seem selfish of me, not to be visible, and all. But if I’m out of sight, then that means I’m also out of mind. As nobody ever came looking for me, while I was in my invisible form, it became apparent that I hadn’t really been missed very badly.

Oh, don’t feel badly on my behalf. Being invisible has it’s perks! You can go places, and do things without anyone taking notice. I can spend hours reading the bible, crafting, working on puzzles, watching documentaries, playing video games, and things of that nature. But, what I love the most about my times of invisibility, would be the hours of imaginative writing. It doesn’t even matter if none of you ever read it. I was there, and I wrote it all down as the adventure unfolded.

Perhaps one day, long after I’ve faded away, someone will find the things I wrote down. Maybe it will be something beautiful, or maybe not. I guess it depends on whose eyes were able to see the words written on the pages.

Before I ghost you again, you should probably grab some cookies…

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What if I can’t choose?

Wiwohka2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s a moment you wish you could freeze and live in forever?
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Personally, I think this prompt is too difficult. Perhaps if there were only a single moment in time that were noteworthy in my life, but there have been many. Far too many, in fact, for me to successfully pick the right moment that should be frozen forever.

Why, the birth of my children has already created a conundrum, as I’ve three daughters. How on earth am I supposed to choose between them? Time would be frozen, remember, so if I chose one over the other, I’d lose a life’s worth of memories for the other two that I didn’t pick.

What about my wedding day? What about that moment? Again, if I choose my wedding day, it would again erase my chance at memories being made with all three of my girls.

While I’d love to freeze the moment I finished reading one of my favorite novels, with the combination of all the emotions being experienced at that final page… there are waaaay too many books that accomplished such a moment!

First big successes, or even first adventures… or what about our most amazing vacation moment? The problem with freezing any of the moments we may or may not pick, is that it’s permanent. No going back, and no going forward. How very limiting, I think.

For this reason, I am unable to pick only a single moment to dwell in forever. The problem with having anything wonderful is, eventually, we want more. The new becomes old, the exciting becomes rather mundane, and boring. It sounds harsh, but it’s the truth.

While I won’t pick a moment, I will pick today. While I don’t know what’s to come, I’ll walk the path, none the less. No matter the joy, or the pain, I will make my way to tomorrow, and leave today behind.

I, just as you, are travelers. We were never meant to stand still. If we did, time would simply wave as it passed us by.

Enjoy a cookie…

Tomorrows may be even better, or perhaps not. It’s a chance you’ll have to take, my friends.

Thursday Thoughts…

Wiwohka14 Comments

Is it possible to overdose on too much exposure to adorable?

While I absolutely think it’s possible, I don’t think that the long lasting side effects are all that bad… feeling giddy and light headed, smiling til your cheeks hurt, and having a general desire to hug anyone within reach.

Can you believe Maisie’s over four months old now? Every time we see her, she just keeps getting cuter… and happier! I swear she is the happiest baby I’ve ever encountered. I can attest that her mother was NOT this happy all the time. In fact, my daughter was a very sick baby for the first several years of her young life.

But, as you can see from the above image, she got better. She had some hard knocks here and there, as a teenager, but my daughter is nothing, if not tenacious, when it comes to overcoming things.

I couldn’t be more proud of the woman she’s become, as well as being a fantastic mom!

So much will be changing for us, here in just about a month, as Maisie will be spending three days a week in our care. I’m thrilled, yet a little scared, also. It’s been over 30 years since I was caring for my baby girls. Things have changed dramatically since those days, when it comes to how babies are raised. Nearly all the baby stuff looks foreign to me, though I’m fairly certain I can still use a thermometer.

Thankfully, we have a small apartment, and there isn’t a lot of furniture and/or clutter, which I’m eternally grateful about. I’m never going to get any housework done, or anything else productive, for that matter. She is so cute, and I simply forget about everything else, the moment I pick her up.

How hard can it be, right?

We put a crib in our bedroom, and I’m decorating it to be as similar as possible to what she has at home. This way she’ll hopefully not be fearful of her surroundings, when she naps.

We still need to get a table and chairs for the kitchen area, so as to have a place for a little attachable high chair. She’s already trying foods, folks. Anytime a baby is born so big, I swear they start eating real food much earlier than normal. She loves bananas, squash, oatmeal, and her mamma is planning on offering her avocado next. We just make it with our little Ninja mixer. The plan is to make everything fresh, and with nothing added. I forgot how much work it takes being a mom. My daughter is going to be exhausted when she goes back to work.

Well, I’m just glad we can be helpful. My son-in-law’s mother will share childcare with us, so that our kids have a chance to be financially stable. Childcare these days is ridiculously overpriced. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone can actually afford to work, when they have to pay so much for babysitters, as well as all the other added costs of a growing family.

It’s about to become a whole different schedule for this Meemaw, but I don’t actually mind. Though I’ll not having as much free time available, once she arrives, it’s a fantastic trade-off. Maisie is far better than any video game, or Netflix series that I’ve already binge watched numerous times. I’ll have to adjust my writing schedule for when she’s napping, or playing with her Papa. If that doesn’t work then I’ll do it on the days she spends with her other Grandma. I might even switch to writing in the evenings, when it’s quiet.

In truth, I don’t think there’ll be anything productive going on when she arrives, which is as it should be…

Gifts for the soul…

Wiwohka3 Comments
Two hands exchanging a small daisy flower outdoors
Daily writing prompt
Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.
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There is positivity floating all around, if one takes the time to look for it!

While I may not have a large and/or extended family, when it comes to genetics, I’ve actually a huge family tree.

You see, I was adopted into an enormous family. Not only do I have my own husband and children, but I am also one of many sisters and brothers. Fortunately, I am a part of the family of God, so at any given moment, I’m being prayed for and/or being gifted something directly from my heavenly Father.

Sometimes God works through my husband, while at other times He may choose to act through one of my children, or a brother or sister in Christ. Still yet, there are those times when God chooses to act through a complete stranger; someone completely unaware that they are being used to complete a task for God.

At times, the positive things done by a family member may seem rather small and insignificant. Take for example, my husband will often surprise me by picking up a special food item that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and safe. It may not seem like a big deal, til you factor in how I don’t like to leave the apartment until needs force me to venture out. My husband often does things to make my life easier.

Now, there are things that are much bigger positive’s than others. Like when my daughter makes it a point to face-time me each week, so that I can have special MeeMaw chat’s with my grandbaby. These video chats are the highlight of my week.

there’s a positive thing that I get from you, each and every day, when we interact with one another. We read others writings, share some of our own, and leave comments back and forth together. For me, that is considered positive family connection… as I consider everyone here on WordPress to be my family, in a manner of speaking.

Let’s consider these cookies as my positive offering …

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