These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Mama Went Out Dancin'!!

Tonight was a landmark of sorts for me. My favorite little restaurant and antique store was celebrating their first anniversary, and they threw a party tonight. They cleared away some of the tables, scrunched the rest against the walls, and has a couple singers in to entertain. They serve only beer and wine which we had to buy, but a buffet of yummy food was free. After a couple sets of music, people began dancing, and after a few more beers, everyone was dancing with everyone! It was a great deal of fun. One guy that I danced with several times was fun. He wasn't really a good dancer, but he had a lot of fun, and it was good just to be out there moving around! A couple others were also mediocre dancers, but I enjoyed meeting them and just having good ol' fun. I stayed about three hours, and saw a number of people I knew, met some new ones, and just enjoyed myself completely!

Earlier in the day I realized that I'm no longer grieving. Oh sure, I have moments that I do, when I open a box and something reminds me of Glenn, but I am actually into my new life, enjoying life without regrets. It is good to be at that stage. I suppose part of it is getting the KC house sold and the furniture moved. Those were a big part of the strings that tied me to the past. I have a new home, a new car, and a life that I've designed for me. In one sense, tonight's outing was my "coming out party." I felt it was my first venture out into the world as a single woman. I put on my best jeans and boots, my denim blazer and turquoise jewelry, and went out kicking up my heels. I wasn't looking for a man or anything like that, but I was feeling available for the first time. Wow. I feel as if I've taken a huge step!

This next week is a big one for me. I am having my first out of town guests. Originally, I was expecting my first official out of towner to be my high school friend, Joe, from Oklahoma. I'm expecting him to arrive on Thursday. The New Christie Minstrels are going to be here at a supper club, and Joe is a huge fan of theirs. (For those of you who are too young to know, they are a folk group from ... well, longer ago than we or they care to remember!) Joe knows most or all the band members, and I invited him on a lark, not knowing whether he would make the trip, and he jumped at the opportunity to see them. Then he and I both contacted several other friends from those days, and the only other one who could make it is my (nearly) life long friend, Gail, who is arriving on Saturday from Colorado. So we were looking forward to a weekend of old reminiscing and music from the day. Oh, and Allan, his coworker who is my age and his wife are going with us to the show.

As an interesting side note to that, a few days after Joe and I began making our plans, the NCM were traveling through the Tulsa area and called Joe to invite him to have breakfast with them. He told them about coming to New Mexico for the show, and they were delighted, inviting us to join them after the show!

But back to the story of my out of town guests. Now, I'm having another guest even before Joe arrives! Caroline, my friend and former neighbor in KC, is arriving on Monday to spend the week, too! She needs a break, a getaway, and bless her heart, she is willing to put up with and even go to the concert with all us old folks! Isn't she a brave one?! She is three years younger than my youngest child, and everyone is at least 14 years older than her! That's OK, we'll treat her well! I even told her to remember that I'm unpacking and everything is very cluttered, and she simply said that's OK, she'll just jump in and help me and keep herself busy. It will be nice for me to have her here for a few days, too. Not just for the work, but because I miss her being near like she was in KC. Our friendship goes back about nine years, and I've known her since she was just a snot-nosed little kid whose grandmother was my neighbor! I can't wait to show her the beautiful area I live in and introduce her to some friends here.

This makes it really official, doesn't it? Out of town guests = I'm officially a resident here. YAY!! I guess I can go pay the taxes on the truck and get NM license plates on Monday!

17 comments:

  1. Isn't life GREAT! I am so glad you are stepping out and having a wonderful time. The buffet sounds delicious and the company wonderful.

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  2. Pepper - It surely is! I've not denied myself having fun, but is something "official" about it now. Going out last night was a good decision.

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  3. It's lovely to visit again M'am, and I couldn't have chosen a better time it seems! It's soooo good to see you are doing so well!

    I will be around to visit more soon and I will blog as soon as I have the mind to!

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  4. Well, Miss Fatty! I've missed you. Just yesterday I was wondering where you've been.

    Yes, I'm doing well. I'm still in a state of flux with moving and getting settled, but *this is it*!!! I'm in the last furlong with this particular segment of my journey! Hurrah, hurrah!

    Welcome back.

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  5. Good morning Lynilu ! I was gone yesterday, so I've got to catch up on your news...

    It sounds like a wonderful party, and did indeed mark those significant changes in your life...

    I'm glad that you are no longer grieving...

    You have a new chapter in life, a lovely one with your new home, new location, new care, new life that you are designing for yourself each day, and new freinds to meet...

    It is a gift that you are embracing and enjoying, and you deserve all the goodness that come with it !

    It will be nice to have your first visitors at the house... Your home is being blessed with love. Friends are enjoying being there with you. Joe and Caroline will just be the first !

    Enjoy the show you are going to be going to, and dance away, Lynilu !

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  6. Annie - It was strange to me that I suddenly realized my place, my frame of mind. I guess that is how it happens. I'm very glad to be feeling like myself again, for sure.

    Thanks, much.

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  7. Yes you are excited to see me, but what about Sophie? Her feelings were hurt that there was NO mention of her. :)

    I can't wait to get there either. It will be good to be able to spend some time with you. You always know exactly what to say to me when I need it. Thank you.

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  8. Caroline - Oh, Posh! Sophie is just trying to get your sympathy! She knows she is welcome, and she know she can get you going. After all, it is April Fool's Day. She's probably been planning this all day long. Silly dog!

    We will have some good time together. Just keep your chin up.

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  9. You deserve all the wonderful things that are happening in your life. I'm glad you kicked up your heels and enjoyed yourself.

    Have fun with Caroline!

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  10. Wow, sounds like you're just having yourself a ball. Good for you.

    Like I keep mentioning, I'm new to your blog and don't know why you'd be grieving. But I'm glad you're taking time to find yourself...again.

    I guess one doesn't have to know ones story to be happy for them...does one? :-)

    Have a great week!

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  11. Casey - Thanks. I'm glad, too. I'm tired today, but I enjoyed it very much. And, yes, C & I will have fun, fer sher!

    Dawn - I am having a lot of fun! If you want to know more about my situation, go back to the beginning of my blog. The very first entry tells almost everything to help you understand. If you read the first 8 or 10 posts, you'll REALLY know the sort of challenges I have had in the last 2-3 years, with emphasis on the past 1.5 yr. No, actually one doesn't have to know it all; but we are all curious, aren't we?

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  12. i am so glad that you had a good time. if some thing ever happened to me i would want my wife to go on with her life. i would like her to remember me of course but i would not like her to be sad because of my passing. you might as well enjoy yourself for we only have this one life on earth to live. have a great day and i will talk with you soon.
    mrh.

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  13. Mrhaney - Very well put. He and I talked about that long before he was sick, and he said the same thing. You never know how you will react or deal with things until you are there, but your attitude is only what you make it. With your words I'm reminded of a quote,

    "You are all you will ever have for certain." June Havoc

    It is so true. When you lose someone you have loved, you still have YOU, and you should care for yourself and live life well. Live life in a way that honors your loved one.

    I have said to my children that when my time comes I want them to celebrate my life, not mourn. I know that is a tall order, as we all grieve those we've loved. But I hope I will have lived my life so that there is something to celebrate, too. I hope that will be my gift to them, a rich book of memories, a legacy of happiness, and the peace of knowing that it isn't forever until we will be reunited.

    Have a wonderful week, MrH!! And give MrsH an extra hug today.

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  14. Congrats on your party and NM status! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

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  15. The party sounds like it was loads of fun!!! Company next week sounds exciting. Yes, I remember the New Christie Minstrels. They were popular when I was a young girl. Have fun!!!

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  16. You go girl!

    I'm so glad to hear you're having fun!

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  17. Steve - Boy, does that NM tag look good on my car! Eeeee-hawwwww!

    GD - I was reading about the NCM today, and the were founded in 1961. The did dissolve for several years and then came back in the 1990s. They are a good group and I'm looking forward to seeing them. Caroline is here and it is fun already! More on that later.

    Burg - LOL! Thanks, I plan to!!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!