Free Beer

I couldn't help myself.

My local grocery store had an advertisement for a $40.00 rebate on a $100 purchase if you also purchased a certain major brand of beer.

I don't drink beer.  Not because I'm a teetotaler, but because I've tried a bunch and they just don't float my boat.

However, my little old lady neighbor likes beer.  And one of the types that you could buy for the rebate was her favorite kind.

So I played beer fairy.

I bought the beer and brought it home to my neighbor and sent away for the $40 rebate. 

It'll take 6-8 weeks to get it back and by then I'll be all surprised and happy to get it.  And then I'll be smiling again like I was when I saw my neighbors face when she got some free beer right before the holiday weekend.

Beer Bottles On Ice by Napong, found at freedigitalphotos.net

 

 

 

Have a wonderful, happy and safe 4th of July! 

US flag backround with fireworks by Nirot, found at freedigitalphotos.net

My husband and I will be in Idaho Falls for the big fireworks show and then it's off to Yellowstone with my nephew and his Dad for their first time ever seeing the park!

Happy Independence Day!

The Good Life

Over this past 4th of July weekend a couple of unexpected and interesting things happened, as they often do when we are just rolling right along through life.

First, one of my friends had their father in law die suddenly.  This guy was 91 years old.  He had recently experienced some kind of 'episode'.  Either his heart or a small stroke- he couldn't say which and wasn't interested in finding out.  He had never been under any kind of regular medical care and had no intention of becoming one of those old people whose life revolves around doctor's appointments.  So his daughters came into town for the holiday weekend, spent 3 beautiful days with him, shared meals and laughter.  When they got back home, out-of-state, they couldn't get a hold of him to let him know their plane had landed safely.  My friend went over to check on him and found him looking like he was sleeping peacefully, but clearly gone.  He had left his door unlocked, which he never did.  It was clear that he had passed on his own terms. 

As for me, I spent the weekend with my nephew as planned, but was surprised when I came into town to find that the psychologist that Nathan would be seeing was very happy that I was there and wanted to get some in depth family history from me.  At first I was not looking forward to this at all.  My family story is not a nice one.  But I didn't want to let thinking about this ruin the weekend.  So I decided not to over think it.

When the time came to give the needed information, I did so without breaking down or wishing that things could have been different.  I just told what needed telling and was relieved to find that it wasn't that bad after all.  I think I have realized that the future is whatever we make of it, regardless of a past that cannot be changed.

It is good to know that although there will always be things that we wish we could control that we cannot, there is a lot that we can do.  And that's where the good life lives after all, isn't it?

Independence

Isn't it amazing how when we look back over just one year we can often see so much cathartic change?  How we never could have imagined what life would be like?  And if someone would have told us, we just would not have believed it?

My husband and I will be going to Oregon for the long holiday weekend to celebrate with my nephew and his Dad in a town called Independence.  From what I've heard it should prove to be a lovely small-town, home style celebration. 

 

Independence, OR 4th of July parade

Who would have ever thought that it would feel so good to spend a holiday with my ex-brother-in-law?  That I would be looking forward to how simple and freeing it is to know the time we spend with him is never chaotic or dramatic, just honest and real?  That I know my nephew is right where he should be...

This year I will be celebrating the fact that I finally, truly broke free of the idea that family really ever had anything to do with where a person happens to land when they are born.  Instead, family grows over time in a dynamic way and we get to choose who we bestow the title upon.

Have a wonderful 4th and take care of yourselves!