Tribute to my Grandmother Anna Kospiah

Last month, my grandmother, Anna Kospiah, passed away at the young age of 93. She was my dad's mother and my oldest living relative. She was an independent, quiet woman who raised 5 children.

My grandmother grew up on a farm. She met my grandfather and got married very young. She worked in the steel mill during the depression. She even drove a forklift, something we did not know until talking with her during the last weeks of her life. She loved flowers and watching the birds in the garden.

My grandmother loved her independence. She lived on her own in a senior citizen high rise until she was almost 92. Then she moved in with my Aunt where she lived for the last year of her life. She took the city bus to the supermarket and shopping centers. She liked to walk even though arthritis was making this more difficult.

One of my grandmother's favorite past times was going to the casinos in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. She loved to travel with my mom and they went on so many trips together with senior citizen groups or just the two of them. They got along well and were good travel partners. My grandmother was not happy with the digitizing of the casino slot machines. She yearned for the return of the day when she could put quarters into the machine and pull the handle. She looked forward to these trips and they gave her great joy.

My grandmother was a frequent guest at our many family events. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren welcomed her with open arms. She could often be found in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up.

While preparing for her funeral, my sisters, mom, dad and I looked through hundreds of pictures to find the special ones for the funeral home. Looking through these pictures and reminiscing about the times we spent together brought laughter and tears. It was very therapeutic for all of us to celebrate her life and grieve together.

After her funeral, we all went to a casino in the Poconos to celebrate her life and one of the activities that she loved most. It was raining on our drive to the casino. However, once we got there, a big rainbow was in the sky and it ended at the casino. I think this was her way of telling us she was okay and still with us. It brought tears to our eyes. We put our money in the slot machines and placed our bets in honor of her.

I am thankful that I was able to have my grandmother in my life for as long as I did. I hope that I have her genes for a long life. She was a special lady and will always be close to my heart.

Twenty Wishes

I just finished reading the book "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber. It is part of her Blossom Street Series. The book was such an easy read and so hard to put down. She introduced new characters in this book which focuses on AnneMarie who owns a bookstore. She takes us through the lives of several women who are widows. At one of the women's frequent get togethers they discuss compiling a list of twenty wishes representing things they want to do or accomplish. The author does such a good job of taking the reader through the twists and turns in these women's lives. I felt like I knew each of the characters personally.

The list of twenty wishes is very intriguing to me and I think there is so much energy in actually putting these thoughts in writing and then working towards achieving them. Most of us daydream and think about things that we shoulda, coulda, or woulda done. Writing these things down and reviewing them on a regular basis brings focus to accomplishing them.

I have started my list and I am not yet quite at 20. Here is what I have so far:

1. Visit Italy, Greece and Paris with my husband and son
2. Get remarried to my handsome husband, Vito, on the beach
3. Retire at 55
4. Learn how to paint
5. Take my parents on an Alaskan Cruise
6. Make Weekend Sisters a successful business with my sisters
7. Take a pilates class
8. Take dancing lessons with my husband
9. Lose weight and get in shape
10. See my son graduate from cosmetology school and work in his profession
11. Live near the beach for part of the year
12. Take a cruise with my sisters
13. Start a non-profit organization
14. Go white water rafting
15. Visit Sante Fe

Well, that's as far as I got. I need to do some more soul searching and add to the list. I would be interested in knowing if you have put together your list of 20 wishes or if you have read the book by Debbie Macomber. Drop me an email. I would love to hear from you.

I am 50 today!

Woo hoo! Today is my 50th birthday. Can't believe I have reached the BIG 5-0 Milestone. I can't say that I feel 50, at least not today. But then again what is 50 suppose to feel like?

I took the day off from work after going back and forth on whether I should or not. I don't ever recall taking a vacation day for my birthday. So today was a first in putting me first and taking the day off.

I intend to focus on me today. I slept in a little later this morning. I opened the bedroom door and was surprised to see that my husband and son decorated our family room and kitchen with streamers and decorations. This was such a surprise and so sweet of them. They both left me some real cute cards as well.

I had some yogurt for breakfast and then headed out for a walk with my dog, Bella. It was very mindy and rainy misty when we left. Bella looked up at me as if to say, "Hey, I didn't sign up for a walk in the rain!" HaHa. But on we went for about 30 minutes. I turned up the volume on my ipod and put one foot in front of the other. It was invigorating walking in the light rain in the middle of the morning. I usually envy the women who could walk and exercise during the day while I am at work. Today I was able to walk in their shoes.

I headed out and did some shopping for me at the fairly new Water's Creek Shopping area in Allen, TX. I love this new shopping area which is not your typical shopping center. It is like a little village complete with waterfalls, rock landscapes and pond. My first stop was at the Black and White Market store where I bought the really cute black and white animal print sweater that they are featuring in their ads. I can't wait to wear it. Next I headed over to Chico's and bought several tops and shirts. Shopping time was cut short so I could get to my 1:00 massage appt.

I got to Massage Wow, Allen, TX with time to spare for my 90 minute massage. Massage Wow is also fairly new and owned by Chiro Spa which is located next door. Massage Wow is running a special which includes a 90 minute massage and a footbath for just $39.95. This is such a bargain! Adrienne was my massage therapist and she was awesome. She applied just the right pressure and worked out my stress. I actually fell asleep on the table. I couldn't believe it but it was so relaxing and the ultimate treat to myself on my birthday.

So here I am now in Starbucks typing this blog. I am sitting in a big comfy chair with my venti unsweetened black iced tea. There is upbeat but soothing music playing in the background. I am feeling the creative juices flowing. I have not been blogging as often as I intended to. Life just gets in the way. Work, family, and other obligations always seem to take precedence over creative time. I want to change this going forward and spend more time on creative pursuits as well as getting back in shape.

Birthday wishes are kind of like New Year's resolutions. We start out with great intentions and sometimes face challenges in keeping these resolutions. I have yet to compile my list of wishes for my next 50 years but they will be focused on love, family, health, travel, and giving back.

Tonight we are going to our favorite Italian restaurant, Bugatti's, located in Dallas, TX. My husband and I got engaged there, had our rehearsal dinner there, celebrated my husband's 50th there with firends and family earlier this year in January and celebrate most of our special times there. I look forward to some great food, some fine wine and good time with my husband and son. Spending time together means more than any gift I could receive.

I have much to be thankful for on my 50th birthday. I have people who love me and who I love. I am fairly healthy. I have 2 dogs who bring me joy. I have a career I love at Fortune company. I have been blessed and Thank God everyday for the life that I live.