It goes without saying, everybody has their ups & downs in life.  I was just talking to a good friend of mine the other day about us being in our 40s.  If you have not gotten to your 40s yet, let me just say IT’S NO WALK IN THE PARK PEOPLE.  Things that you never really dream of or understand starts happening to you.  You start to be more conscious of your over all well-being, because to be honest, it clearly becomes more of an issue.

For example, I used to could live with my contacts or live without them.  I didn’t have to wear them if I didn’t want to.  Now, it is a real problem if I don’t have them in.  When I’m driving, luggage racks on top of vehicles start looking like a set of lights like the state troopers have.  If I meet a car on the road with one of those, let me tell you how much I obey all the traffic laws.  All in the name of poor vision. Could this be from being in your 40s?

Then, there is my memory.  I don’t know where it goes.  The other day my daughter & I were shopping.  I kept saying I was going to wait to buy shampoo at Kmart because it was probably cheaper there.  Miss Neenee exasperatedly reminded me several times,

“Mama, we ARE in Kmart.”

“You know I mean Kroger.” I said. Repeatedly .(May I insert here Mamaw referred to these stores as Kmarts & the Kroger. I will never forget that.)

Later on that day, we were talking & I said,

“Riddle me that, Batman.”

She said, “What does that even mean?”

I commenced to relive the torturous Riddler in Batman & how he always spoke in riddles to Batman.  Then, it hit me.  I could quote dialogue from movies upwards of 25 years ago, but just a short time ago that day, I didn’t know if I was in Kmart or Kroger.  It’s being in your 40s.

And don’t even get me started on the time change.  I don’t know why it’s so hard, but the struggle is real, ya’ll.  I have a morning disorder, anyway.  It’s all I can do to get up & get around.  This ain’t helpin’ me none.  Make the time & leave it.  Seriously, enough with the time change. This must be from being in your 40s.

Digestive woes.  Do you remember the Andy Griffith episode where Andy & Helen were broke up & Barney had fixed him up with another girl?  They were going with Barney & Thelma Lou to Mt. Pilot to eat.  They kept naming off places & Andy’s date couldn’t eat at any of them.  She couldn’t eat Chinese because “Cabbage laid on her chest.”  That was like the funniest thing to me.  Until I got my own list of foods that have less than desirable effects. We just have a mutual understanding (me & these kinds of food that is) If I eat this, then that happens.  Why?  Just why?  I have always had a stomach of cast iron steel up until a couple of years ago.  Yup, it’s being in your 40s.

But there are some good things that come from being in your 40s.  Here’s a little list (I love a list):

1. You don’t put up with a lot. You make a decision on what you want to take & what you don’t. Then, you plan accordingly.
2. You come to the reality that life is short. You begin to appreciate the loved ones you have, even more. James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (NKJV)
3. After a stressful day, one begins to realize the power a Samoa (or Caramel Delight, just depends on where you are) can have over you. It just purely changes your whole demeanor. Those Girl Scouts just have my heart.
4. Pajama time becomes a real thing. Pajama time can start when I get home from work & given it is a weekend, can last until I go to church on Sunday. After church, back to pajama time.
5. You begin to have more understanding & empathy for others. Biggest reason is because you need more understanding & empathy from others. Times come when you clearly are confident enough to step back & say, “I am being ridiculous.” This is where other people’s grace comes in, for us. BOY, DO I NEED THAT! Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.(NKJV)
6. You know who you are, who your friends are, & know you do not have to deal with toxic relationships. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
7. It occurs to you, what you have is just plenty. Worldly possessions are not all they are cracked up to be.

(Matthew 6:19-20) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (NKJV)

And there ain’t no way I am sending my soul to torment over greed & jealousy of what someone  else has.  I’m not sacrificing my family time nor my ethics to gain more either.  You become just plain thankful for what you have.  Which takes me to my last one

8.  You know what’s important. You take care of that & everything else just falls into place.

On other note, my Miss Neenee had Flu B (just in time for Spring Break).  She had RSV about 3 weeks ago.  She’s not really gotten past all of that, until this happened.  She has been around several people who have had the flu.  She was just patiently waiting her turn.  She’s a sweetie like that.  My grandson, Mr. Sweetie Pants, had it, too.

Speaking of which, we made our very own laundry detergent, this weekend.  Here he is being a big ol’ helper.

While I was snapping a couple of pictures of him, He said, “Grand, take my picture doing this.”

Such a good boy to help his Grand.

And by the way, if you want the recipe for the detergent it is below.

 

2 bars of soap (We used Olay Sensitive Skin, since we have some folks at home that require special attention.  Like not having dry skin & recurring skin related rashes)

2 cups of Borax

2 cups washing soda

1 canister Purex Crystals or Downy Unstoppables (which I just now saw on the internet you are supposed to put the Purex Crystals directly in the drum of the washer.  I don’t think it will hurt anything.  I guess the smell will last longer putting it right into the washer instead of the soap dispenser.  But we just mixed it in with everything else)

Grate the soap in a bowl.  Measure & add all the other ingredients.  Mix together.  You only need ¼ cup of this for each load.  It smelled so good!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today & read through my randomness.  You make my day brighter!!  Hope you are having a good week.  Always remember wherever you are God it there to take care of you.  Until next time, I should be going because I should be washing clothes.