I'm Too Young to be 70

Hello bloggyland,

 I know I haven't been posting much since my grand babies were born 14 months ago and I'm sorry for that. But, really, I haven't had a lot to post about except how much I am blissed out over the twins and you'd get really tired of hearing that, I'm sure.

Well, I'm still blissed and besotted, but...I'm also turning 70 in April...and that has launched a profound leap into introspection and reflection.  The notion that I have way more years behind me than in front of me got me thinking about the time I have left and how I want to spend it. I don't live in the same city as my grand babies, so they are a part of my life, but not my whole life. I still love doing Sugartime (my singing/dancing duo) and I know that when we perform at retirement communities we bring so much joy to the residents (and to ourselves). And since my motto for the new year is "Joy is My Compass," that's a good thing.

But I also know that, even though "I'm Too Young To be 70" (by the way, not my words - it is the title of a collection of poetry by Judith Viorst), the reality is I am going to be 70 and the reality of that is that I'm not young anymore. I'm not even sure I can consider myself middle-aged. But I certainly can't call myself "old." Maybe we need to come up with new language to describe aging because "old" is just not a nice word. I like "vintage."

Anyway, I've decided to get my body as strong as I possibly can so, in addition to a tap dance class once a week, I've started an Absolute Beginner Ballet class to strengthen my core. I do a Richard Simmons "Sweatin' To the Oldies" aerobics workout two times a week. And I go for a long walk once a week. Plus rehearsing with Sugartime three times a week for two hours at a time. I hope that's enough physical exercise.

I've added a prayer/meditation time to my daily routine. It's the first thing I do in the morning and it helps begin my day in a really good way.

Oh, and I'm planning a great big wonderful birthday bash in April for the birthday event.

What's going on in your world? Do fill me in a little bit on your lives.
Blessings
Karen

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing everyone in bloggy land a very happy and joyous holiday season. May your lives be filled with peace and joy and love.
Blessings
Karen

Not sure what to do

Hello bloggyland,
Wow, I took a summer hiatus and just realized it's almost Thanksgiving and I haven't posted once.
I'm not sure what to do. I really miss all of you and knowing what's happening in your worlds, but blogging just doesn't seem to be on my mind these days. In fact, I'm not doing any writing at all. I'm back home in New Mexico and only go visit my twin grand babies very six weeks or so for a few days at a time, but it seems my life is really full whether I'm in Albuquerque or Baltimore.  I guess I need it to be okay for now that I'm not posting.
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and many many blessings to you and your families.
Karen

Summer hiatus

It's been awhile since I've written a post other than to say I'm not writing, but I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be caring for my twin grandbabies all of July, August and September and I know I won't have time to post, so I'm going to take a summer hiatus from blogging and hopefully return late September, when I get home to Albuquerque.

I can't wait to be with those two little munchkins full time again. Since I've been away I feel as if a limb is missing. Wish I could post pics, but parents have decided no photos on internet and I respect that (and agree with it) other than I wish you could see how adorable they are!

Wishing you all a fun-filled, happy summer and I'll catch up with everyone in the Fall.

Blessings,
Karen

Insecure Writer's Support Group - June

Hi dear friends,
I'm just posting a quick notice to say hi and let you all know I'm still here but as of this writing, I'm not writing. Life has taken a different turn, but I'm still visiting y'all when I can and trying to stay connected.
Blessings,
Karen

Insecure Writer's Support Group - May

It's time once again for Alex's Insecure Writer's Support Group www.alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com, a wonderful place where writers come together and share their experience, strength and hope with each other.

I almost feel like I don't belong here anymore. I am so disconnected from everything I've known in my life while I am caring for my twin grandbabies. I'm not writing. I'm not singing. I'm not dancing. I'm not with my friends. I am simply with these wonderful babies, loving and nurturing them as best I can. My husband realized that we only have three more weekends here with my son and his family before we head home and my heart and my arms are already aching.   So here's where my insecurity lies this month. Do I leave the very wonderful life hubby and I have built and move closer to our grandchildren or do we find a way to visit often? It's expensive to fly back and forth -I don't know how much we can do that. What I know for sure is that we want to be part of these babies lives for as long as we're around, and having just turned 69, who knows how long that will be. I'm not being morbid or negative here, just realistic. So we have a lot to think about when we get home. I'm feeling so pulled apart by this decision. And that's where I'm at, folks...
How about you?
Blessings
Karen

Insecure Writers Support Group - April

I'm back home in NM for a week - a break from caring for the now 4-month-old twin grandbabies. Hubby and I are having so much fun taking care of these two little munchkins. I love seeing what new things they discover each day - a hand, a foot, each other. One rolled over from her tummy to her back the other day - the next day the other one did it. It's hard for me to imagine them crawling, then walking, then running, and talking. I have my insecurity around being an older grandparent and just how long I'll be around to watch them grow into the beings they are meant to be, but I tell myself to enjoy each moment and stay in the present. I do want to begin writing to them, but while I'm caring for them, there's no energy for that.

Stay tuned and blessings....
Karen