How did THAT happen?

How does time get away from us? 
~~~The last post I made to just thinkin' describes the plight of a pinched nerve in my back and the Olympic efforts it took to simply pick up something that had dropped to the floor!   It is so utterly amazing how much time it takes to visit the chiropractor for treatments, to exercise, to rest and apply apply ice and heat.
~~~When recovered I went out of town for a meeting regarding the future of the Great Lakes held by the Religious Coalition on the Great Lakes; oh, and then for a long weekend for Labor Day that included a trip to Sedan, Minnesota to surprise a colleague whose last day at Rooney's was surprise worthy and two nights at a friend's lake home near Alexandria... ... ...and today is already 10/14/2012 with warm dry winds and few leaves left on the trees!
~~~It is amazing that in the past two months: my eldest grandson began his first year of college ; eldest granddaughter is a senior in high school and her sister is a sophomore and brother a sixth grader!  No longer do I call them on the phone or email them or welcome them for an overnight or weekend visit.  These days we Facebook and we text, I go to their school activities. Their visits to Gramma's house are few and far between with their time consumed their part-time jobs and homework and athletic activities, and friends.  I still work full-time, so my schedule can also be complicated!  
~~~Oh, did I mention they great young people and excellent students?   How did they grow up SO fast?
~~~This afternoon, I celebrated Mim's retirement.  How did THAT happen?  Her last day at MTF is tomorrow, then on Wednesday she heads out on a cross country road trip visiting family and friends, and seeing this amazing country. She plans to be back to Minnesota in early December.  I am SO happy for her! 

~~~While there I saw friends I have not seen in more than five years.  How did THAT HAPPEN?  




Life has a way of speeding up and sometimes it takes a while to get a grip and slow it down. 
The past five years have been fraught with unforseen circumstances that required a tremendous amount of time and money to overcome for many people, including me.  While many sadly lost their jobs and their homes, I count myself among those who hung on by thread and in so doing, managed to keep my home and job.  How did THAT HAPPEN?






~~~There are many factors at play including horrendously long hours of work and research and networking, digging into complicated systems and insisting that I be heard, that actions taken to correct the errors that were not mine; I could not have done it without the support of family, friends, co-workers and my employer who encouraged me as I navigated here-to-fore uncharted waters of living through the recession, nationwide downturn in home values and the whole mortgage industry debacle!
~~~During this time, I worked, worked and worked some more, had little time, money or energy for social opportunities - discretionary income was non-existent.  There were days that were very dark and I wondered how I'd make it through.  And once again, I have made it through!
~~~How does time get away from us?  We share it ~ live it ~ simply spend it!  Mom used to say that as we age, "if you think it has been three years, it probably has been six years.  Just double what you think and you will be close to right."   She also used to say, "can't never did nothin' for nobody."  Though she died in January 1998, her wisdom and courage and strength also guided me through these tough and rough waters.
~~~How does it happen that time goes so fast?   It is the result of living life fully in all its magnificence, simplicity and complexity!  It is about putting one foot ahead of the other, making the next phone call, sending yet another email, contacting another agency in wading through challenges and then running and skipping and celebrating those days of simplicity and complexity.  Far better living a life in which time goes fast that a life that drags on and on and on. 
~~~I had a wonderful weekend and I have an amazing life and I plan to keep spending time! 
~~~To blog this wee bit of just thinkin' this Sunday night I spent 35 minutes of my life and it felt good!