Monday Musing: Enjoying Where We Are
My daughter is in town, so this weekend was full of family, old friends, and a few miniature racing pigs. Those last ones weren’t on my radar, but when you visit a pumpkin patch with a small boy, you find yourself enjoying all sorts of things.
TOTE BAG / SUNGLASSES – Earrings and necklace were my mom’s
Monday Musing: Enjoying Where We Are
On Saturday, we took my youngest grandson to a massive pumpkin patch with a petting zoo, a corn maze, a train, and miniature pig races. Apparently, pumpkins alone no longer cut it. It was a magical world for him, and watching him take it all in was the best part for us. I love how being with our grandchildren gives us another chance to enjoy things we might otherwise walk right past.
That evening, my husband and I got together with our longtime friend group for a dinner party. We’ve been having dinner together a few times a year for over forty years. That’s a lot of meals and a lot of life.
As you might expect, these days the conversation often includes someone’s recent hip replacement or another health setback. We haven’t quite reached the point of bringing our medical records, but we can give a fairly thorough verbal report.
We trade stories, support each other, and laugh a lot. There’s such comfort in spending time with people who’ve known us for decades. We’ve seen one another through so many changes, and I’m grateful we’re still gathering around a table.
We’ve lost a couple of dear friends from this group in recent years, and we miss them. Their absence is part of these evenings, too. Forty years can sound like a very long time until you’re sitting with people you’d dearly love to have another forty with.
Sunday morning we went to my older grandson’s Little League game. He’s been practicing his curveball and loves striking out players. We brought him back to our place for some rousing card games, and he was delighted to pummel us. I can’t believe how big he’s getting. He now towers over me by at least 5″. I’m so proud of the young man he’s becoming, even if I’d appreciate it if he could slow down a little.
My daughter and I also nipped into Nordstrom for a try-on that I’ll be sharing next week. There’s already plenty of holiday dressing in the store, which feels a little premature when I’ve only just made it to the pumpkin patch. But I do love seeing the dressier fabrics and details this time of year, especially when I can imagine wearing them with things already in my closet. We don’t always need a whole new outfit just because someone’s invited us to dinner.
I found several things I liked, and it was fun to have my daughter along for the try-on. Here’s a sneak peek at one of my favorite looks from the afternoon. I’ll share the rest next week, along with my thoughts on the fit and how I’d wear them.
I’ve been thinking about time and how quickly it seems to pass. We watch our grandchildren grow, count the years we’ve known our friends, and wonder how we got here so fast. I don’t feel forty years older than when those dinners began. My calendar proves otherwise.
Many of us spend so much of our lives thinking about what needs doing next. Even during a lovely afternoon, it’s easy to be mentally sorting out tomorrow. I do it, too. This weekend, there was so much I wanted to pay attention to right in front of me.
Perhaps that’s something we can get better at as we get older: knowing when we’re already where we want to be. Nothing has to be settled or finished for us to enjoy the life we have. There will be plenty to think about on Monday. It doesn’t need our Sunday, too.
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Love Love Love that outfit you’re modeling- please say you took it home! You are gorgeous….
I so enjoyed today’s messages…abd your fun experiences. We were both a bit under the weather so a quiet weekend!
Hope you feel better soon, Paulette! There are a lot of bugs around.
“Forty years can sound like a very long time until you’re sitting with people you’d dearly love to have another forty with.” That is one of the most beautiful sentences I have read in a long time. It sums up many of the feelings I have at this point in my life.
We’re on the same page, Joan!
Great post. Nice stories of friends and family.
I loved hearing that your grandson enjoys playing cards with you. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for your past mention of the Five Crowns card game. We found that we love that one. It’s a great item to take along on the cruises we enjoy so much. We always find someone who wants to join us. 😉
We love it. My husband and I play it on our own too
Loved this post is heartfelt and funny. 🥰😊
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I love today’s post. Slowing down and being intentional about what is right In front of me is a new goal for me as I get ready to enter my 80th decade. I want to see all the beauty and joy around me.
Yes!! What a great decade Bonna
I had to laugh at the medical reporting at your friend’s gathering. We do it too! I know what it’s like when that oldest grandson gets very tall. His daughter is now 6’ and a volleyball player in high school. Next year college for my oldest great granddaughter. I spent forty years as first 20 a Marine mom then the next twenty as a Marine grandmother. My husband and I have been together for forty years and married almost 34 years. Our life is quieter now but what a ride it has been. I’m quoting Michael Douglas. Well, paraphrased it.
Sounds lijke a fabulous, wild ride Sydney
Loved your ‘sitting on the bench’ look! And the cap is adorable!
Thanks, Judy. I ordered tha cap on a whim and I love it!
Good morning, great read, this made me reflect, I’ve lost friends, it’s just what happens when we get older, but they aren’t forgotten.. Love your pumpkin patch outfit and baseball outfit. Looking forward to the Nordstrom try-on. On another note, thank you for introducing me to the Kevin Murphy Bedroom Hair, hairspray. I purchased the travel size, just to try it out. For the first time my hair didn’t go flat in the wind, it’s been very windy in the Bay Area and I haven’t woken up with bed head hair..love this hairspray, purchasing a regular size…….have a great week
I agree, it’s a great one and I love the scent of all his products too.
When the talk turns toward medical issues while gathering with longtime friends, we laugh and say we attended an “Organ Recital”… hip, knee, heart, etc.!
That’s hilarious!
I loved this post! Thank you for giving this wonderful side of you. Family and friends really fill our emotional tanks, don’t they? So thankful.
Yes they sure do!
Had to smile at the mention of discussion topics. A long time friend’s partner called it “the organ recital”. As to long time friends……..our longest friendships go back over 40 years, a few more than 50. A few dear friends have passed on. Many unfortunately are compromised by relocations. Some for warmer climates, some to be closer to family. Some spend at least part of each year in our hometown (which is where we met all those years ago) and we try to get together then, at least twice a year. Also some of us are pressed for time, being in a caregiver role.
Lots of folks stopped sending holiday greeting cards during covid and never restarted, but every year we send a photo card with updates, hopefully most being happy and comforting observations. I treasure the ones we get and keep every one that’s a photo card.
We have had many dear friends move away too, and then finally we did. We always make the drive or flight back to see and hug them.
I so enjoyed the last two paragraphs today. Your thoughts really rang home with me. Wish I could get my husband to think like that…he’s always looking for the next project and what we are going to do today! Love your posts and look forward to reading them. Great boost today!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Marianne.
LOL at “We haven’t quite reached the point of bringing our medical records, but we can give a fairly thorough verbal report.” 100%. Thanks for the Monday AM boost! 😊
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Good Morning Jennifer, that whole outfit you’re wearing, sitting on the bench at the baseball park, is fabulous. Looks great on you. Look forward to the Nordstrom try on.
Thanks Lee Ann. Happy Monday.
So many blessings in family and friends. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m right there with you- where has the time gone?!
I love the outfit you posted – so fun!
Thank you, Jennifer
Jennifer, I loved hearing about your weekend with family and friends. I too try to enjoy every moment I can get with my children, grandchildren, and friends. I work hard at creating those occasions where we can share fun experiences, interesting games, lots of laughs, and good food. To me this is what living right is all about. Have a great week.
I totally agree Bea! Happy Monday.