2011 is almost over and it was an exciting and fascinating year for me, but Son and DIL brought the best news to us this holiday season. We’re going to be grandparents. Now, I’ve always maintained that whether or not they chose to make us grandparents was something I wasn’t going to be pushy about. They’ve been married almost ten years and both Son and DIL are very career-oriented. Both are highly successful in their chosen fields. Their life is full of adventure and friends and joy in one another. Nothing has ever seemed to be “missing” to me. They’ve talked about children, and in their typical fashion, discussed and…

So guess what. I have atrial fibrillation. Who knew? Not me. But, Tuesday was an interesting day. Started out very normal with a swim in the morning, then home for a shower and quick cruise through the house picking up and putting away. Then I started baking–cookies and fudge to send to my clients and croissants for my chapter RWA meeting on Saturday. Nothing unusual, except that as I bustled about the kitchen setting rolls to rise, mixing up cookie dough, stirring fudge, I kept having heart palpitations. Now, I’ve had heart palpitations for several years and have always believed they were part of that syndrome whose name must not…

The southern part of my state is all rolling hills and deep ravines, pine trees and majestic oaks and maples. For years, I rode my horse in these parts–up hill, over dale, and across creeks.We camped in the state park and spent long fall days wandering the forests on horseback, to the point that sometimes it seemed as if the horses knew the trails better than we did. They’d pick up their pace when we were headed back to the horseman’s camp–they were always anxious to return to the campsite where they knew they’d be relieved of the heavy saddles and given a good brushing and hay and fresh water.…

…and we’re talking about cyber-chondria http://bettyverse.com/?p=712. You know, that proclivity to feverishly check the Internet every time you have an ache or a pain? I confess, I’m an Internet hypochondriac. Am I alone? Come by…talk to me… we’ll think of it as therapy!

Back in August, I guest blogged at the Bettyverse about a special ring that my siblings and I gave to our mother many years ago.  Here’s the post…and below a picture of the ring. When we did our annual Black Friday picnic at the winery yesterday, Kate gave it to me to wear–it’s my turn. When I was first married, my siblings and I decided to give our mom a “mother’s ring” for Christmas. Remember those? They were hugely popular in the seventies, but we wanted something different, not the typical gold band with birthstones that you could pick up at any department store. Nope, our mom needed something truly…

…the Bettyverse, that is. Come join in the conversation. We’re talking about special childhood memories and little-girl dreams realized–things that affected your whole life. I know you have great stories to share!

Our first summer at the lake is over. Today, we closed up the cottage, packed up food and other stuff to take home, covered the furniture, and winterized the water pipes.  We can go up during the winter if we choose to, and we probably will to check on things, but our weekends at the lake are done for this year. The park has gotten very quiet as our new compatriots go back their other lives, and after the holidays, some will even go South for three  months to avoid the cold and snow. We had a great last weekend, though.  One of the five couples that we’ve become good…