How to be an Old Person: Lesson 1

Well, hello there youngster. Welcome to "How to be an Old Person"! Today's lesson is about napping....

I am not very good at napping in general. My head is always full of stories, new crochet patterns, and things to do. The one exception however is TV. Put a blanket on me, turn on a movie, and I am out like a light. If there is someone sitting next to me that I can curl up next to, it is even better!

Although this seems perfectly normal to the rest of you Old People out there, youngsters now-a-days just don't seem to get it. I have even had people poke me back awake! But don't worry, here is how you can appear to be like the other kiddos and enjoy a movie, while you actually enjoy nice, long, nap...

1. Get into a position where it is difficult for others to see if your eyes are shut. The best, and most comfortable, way to accomplish this is to lean against someones shoulder. That way if they get curious and lean over to see if you are awake, their movement will jerk you awake and you can pretend like you were watching the whole time!
2. Master the art of "Doze-ing" By far the most powerful tool in an Old Person's arsenal is doze-ing! Don't fall into a heavy sleep. Rather take short little cat naps, 3-5 during the course of a movie is usually best, so that you can catch short bits of the movie. Although for a beginner Old Person this can prove difficult, it is necessary to progress to step 3.
3. Interject Comments There may be some doubts as to whether or not you were awake for the movie. The bit of drool on the shirt sleeve you were leaning against, the subtle sound of snoring during the movie and frequent yawns may lead people to believe that you fell asleep. Use the information that you learned inbettween your cat naps to silence these kinds of accusations and suspicions. Comments like "Wow that battle scene was really loud it almost woke..... I mean... The battle was really impressive!" should generally be avoided as well as specific questions about characters and plot developments...

These steps don't always need to be followed. On rare occasions you will find similar old souls who happen to be better at staying awake then you. These make great movie watching companions because while you are sleeping they tuck you in, or bring a foot stool around and prop your feet up. After the movie is finished they don't ask any questions but rather play along with the deception that you were awake the whole time.

Thanks for reading this weeks lesson on "How to be an Old Person", and I hope you stop by for next weeks lesson entitled "Crocheting in Public..."

Happiness...

I think the Larynx is beautiful. In fact I think it is my favorite structure in the human body.

I love the delicate curves of the hyoid bone, the interesting texture of the tracheal cartilage rings and don't even get me started on the thyroid cartilage! I love it. It is an impeccable architectural feat of form and function.

Maybe I am a nerd but I can't help it.... The larynx makes me happy!

ADVENTURE TIME!

I have discovered a new love.... Adventure Time! At first I thought it was stupid. Oh how wrong I was! There is nothing better after a long day of studying than to sit down in front of the old boob tube and watch some of Finn and Jake's antics. This is one of my favorite clips and ever since I watched it I have been chasing Emily and Olivia around the house doing my "old man voice". It is pretty good if I do say so myself, but it does make me throat very sore. Somethings in life are worth the pain....

No need to say goodbye...

So I had been delaying adding another blogpost because I was at a loss for words. The words I lost were about Colorado. How do you sum up one of the most poignant times in your life? How do you write a blogpost about discovering that you are an adult? How do you tie up the ends on an amazing year long adventure? How do you say goodbye.....

This weekend I flew out to Colorado for a visit. It was wonderful. Exactly like old times and exactly what I needed. In the words of Louise it felt like I had lived with them for two months and been gone for a year instead of the other way around.

I figured something out this weekend that is really important, I don't need to close the chapter on my life in Colorado because it isn't over. I love my babies and my babies love me. I have a big sister and a big brother who I love and who love me for exactly who I am, are always challenging me to try new things, and are always right there to help me. That doesn't change because I live far away instead of right down the stairs. We are a family.

I remember when I first moved in with Louise and she would tell me stories about when she used to live in Japan. Her house is filled with beautiful pieces of art that chronicle her life there. Japan was rich with memories for Louise and I didn't understand how a place that she had lived in for such a short time could hold so much meaning for her years later. How a short time could have shaped and changed her so much. Now I do. Colorado is my Japan.

Sometimes it is hard having two homes. The minute I am in one I am homesick for the other. I miss my parents and sisters, or I miss Ryan, Louise and my babies. It isn't fair, sometimes it makes me want to cry. But then I step back in amazement of my wonderful God who has blessed me with such an incredible experience and so many people that love me and I do cry. This world is full of change and goodbyes and heartbreak but God never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Someone asked me once if I regretted choosing to stay longer in Colorado. I can honestly say do not regret a single moment of my time there nor a single minute of my homesickness now. Things change.... but somethings don't..... sometimes there is no need to say goodbye.

Ryan's Birthday Weekend Extravaganza!

This weekend was Ryan's birthday so Mimi and Papa came out for a surprise visit. I can't even tell you how many times Louise and I almost spilled the beans, but we held it together. When Ryan walked into the resturant where we were taking him for his birthday dinner and saw his parents he was so surprised! Other gifts came in the shape of a tree from Louise and a whole car full of balloons from me. Note to self, blowing up over 30 balloons at high altitude, not the best idea. I almost passed out! But it was worth it... =)

 

We did lots of other fun suff this weekend too. Like picking rhubarb.

There is a tiny farm down in Colorado Springs that lets you come and pick rhubarb. So we packed up the boys and a picnic lunch and spent the afternoon harvesting.

You know you have a lot of rhubarb when the people selling the rhubarb give you an astonished look and say "But what are you going to do with it!?!"

It really wasn't that much.... just 25 lbs. We are going to freeze it and turn it into a years worth of delicous pies, bars, and jams.... OOOOKAAAY!

A Peanut Bunny and his Daddy...

The boys also went swimming in our new giant purple elephant pool.

We finished the weekend with a gorgeous view from the top of Daniels Park. They have Buffalo there. Ryan and I are going to ride them... We all had a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Just the Five of Us...

Clement...

Danny likes fish so I made him one for his birthday...

His name is Clement....