Loving Plain, Simple, and Ordinary

Lately, I've spent a lot of time helping out with my MIL, who has experienced failing health. I keep teasing my own kids to pay close attention, b/c that's what they're going to be doing when it's my turn. I don't know how all that will work, when my turn comes, but a girl can dream, right? Actually, my kids are pretty good, I think they'll be there.
Anyway, I digress. In spending quite a lot of time with her, it's been.....a big change in lifestyle. In our home, we have internet, we have a television and dvd player, but I haven't had television reception in my home for nearly all my adult life. My kids weren't raised to watch TV. We'll watch movies, but, I sure am NOT used to having a TV on all day long. So, I now find myself sitting with her, becoming an authority on Judge Judy, People's Court, Judge Joe, Judge.......you get the picture. Are these old people shows? I do sometimes find myself enjoying it, trying to guess what the judge will decide. I've learned that you should NEVER co-sign, you should have everything in writing, you never want to co-habitat with a friend....well, stuf happens. Then, I'm wondering who will win Dancing with the Stars????? A few months ago, I had hardly even any idea what Dancing with the Stars was! I've almost figured out how to play Deal or No Deal. I know all kinds of celebrity gossip, when two months ago, I didn't even know who the celebrities were! Where have I been since the 70s?
One night, my family was out to dinner, and one of my 10 yo sons asks my husband, "How many Abbot and Costello movies were the Andrew Sisters in?" I just burst out laughing, asking Randy, "How many 10 year olds know who the Andrew Sisters are?" We hardly know anyone's name who is alive today in movies, but the oldies, yes, they do know them. My grandsons are eve into Gilligan's Island now, and Caleb (6) couldn't believe it when I told him that Gilligan's Island was a show Grandma and Grandpa used to watch as kids!
Now, keep in mind, I'm a very naive person. I used to think that movie were real life. For some reason, I never noticed that John Wayne was the same person in the next movie I watched. I used to wish I had a talking horse, or a dog that jumped out my window to go be a hero. And I was the kind of kid who drove everyone crazy because all the way through a movie I would keep saying, "I don't get it? What's this about?" Maybe they would have thought I had a little ADDHD? I confessed to my husband the other day that I used to think the wind came from trees. A few were blowing one direction, then they made the next ones down the road blow, and so on and so forth. I thought flowers on Apple trees were just a preliminary enjoyment to the next thing God was going to put on the tree. No kidding, I didn't know it was part of the growth of the apple! I am amazed at my world!
So, here I am, watching TV, at this point of my life. It reminds me of highschool when I was addicted to soap operas. BTW, Erica hasn't gotten any older since I was about 8 years old, and now I'm almost 50! What's up with that? And I think I've decided that television kinda depresses me.
One thing I've been thinking about a LOT: I love a simple life. I love cooking things from scratch. I'm sick of Campbell's soup! (that's what MIL likes!) I sooooo enjoy going into my greenhouse and pretend it's sunny out! I love the quiet of no television playing! I'm very anxious to get out in the yard and do some much needed weeding. Just simple stuff. I get a little lump in my throat when it 's my turn to take off for Grandma's, and when I leave, I get another lump in my throat, b/c for this season of life, this is how it is. I just need to really focus on thankfulness. On being grateful for what I have. I can't tell you the relief I feel when I think to myself, "This is not permanant, it is not a job!" I don't want a job outside my home! I love my family and I'm hoping Grandma gets better soon, but we are all in this together. I love living in the country, away from our small town. Indeed, it is so small that it only has one stoplight! I am almost starting to feel Amish when I get back home, after all this TV! From the pictures you can see I have my work cut out for me already at home; winter storms have wreaked havok in my yard, and it needs a lot of attention! Good therapy!