You ever feel like life is just one big rollercoaster ride? You climb up and then roll down and then up and down and off to the side, upside down and around again? Yeah–me too. Last week was the perfect example of the “ride.” All in one week the fridge just died–up and $400.00 worth died, the washing machine too, my husband’s clutch on his car and I pulled a ligament in my shoulder while leading a horse. But on the flipside, my daughter is getting excited about her first horse show, my middle son is actually enjoying school, my oldest one smiled (he’s the teenager, so a smile is HUGE), my husband got the keys to his new training studio, and I sent in a proposal (fingers crossed) that I am super excited about. It was also my dad’s 75th birthday and I made a huge pork loin for carnitas (yummy) and we celebrated with my family. The best part was to see how happy my dad was because there has never been a time when his three kids and all of his grandchildren have been in one place together. I am attaching a couple of photos. Oh, then yesterday I went with my daughter and another family who is like a second family to us to see Disney on Ice (High School Musical) and then we went out for pizza afterwards. It was plain old fun.
So, even though there are the ups and the downs and when the bad crap happens we get out of sorts (I know I do), there is always a flipside. I’m now thinking that the bad stuff isn’t so bad, because it simply means there’s something really good about to happen just around the corner, and I know for me that the good outweighs it all, because in the long run it’s really family and friends that count.
How about you–ever feel like you’re on one heck of a ride?
Cheers,
Michele
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Hi Michele,
Great family photos! Thanks for sharing. And I’m glad that “the ride” gave you some great “ups” though I’m very sorry to hear about your shoulder. I hope you are doing okay. That sounds very painful.
When I think of ups and downs, I totally think about my brother’s family. In just a few months timeframe a few years back, my brother went out on strike at Vons where he works, had his seven year old diagnosed with epilipsey after the poor little guy started having many seizures, found out his wife was pregnant with their 11th child (yes, 11), their dog of over 10 years died, and then his house burned to the ground in the Cedar Fire with most of their belongings in it. On the “up” side: nobody got injured/killed during the fire, the pregnancy was a happy one, and he was able to find a job at another market so that he could still work, yet still had to strike. In the time though, the real “Ups” appeared: They eventually were able to rebuild their house and it is beautiful, their 11th child was born on my sister-in-laws birthday and is healthy, the little guy with epilipsey has not had a seizure in coming up on two years, they have an adorable new dog in their family, and a strike this year was thankfully avoided. And through all the “downs” they were able to keep their sense of humor and truly bonded together as a family.
by Linda
on October 15th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
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Hi Linda,
Wow! Your brother and his family have been through it. You must be so proud of him and them to see how they have survived and only become stronger because of the love they share. It does she prove again that family and sticking together as a family is vital. We all need one another.
Cheers,
Michele
P.S. My pleasure sharing with you. I’m pretty proud of my dad who has seen his share of ups and downs in 75 years, but is one of the most positive, genuine, loving people I know–granted he’s my dad, but he means the wqorld to all of us.
by Michele
on October 15th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
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Hi Michele,
I can tell in the pictures your dad looks so happy and proud of you all. My mom will be celebrating her 75th birthday next month and I feel so fortunate to have her as my mom. Though my dad passed away ten years ago, my mom has been able to continue to live her life and I am very proud of her. I’m looking forward to the party next month, and I’m glad you and your family had a nice one with your dad.
by Linda
on October 15th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
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Michele, I think anyone who has kids has the ups and downs. Just part of life. I’m hanging on for the ride!
Glad you had a nice weekend with your family–and hope the shoulder feels better soon!
Hugs!
by Heather
on October 15th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
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Send my best wishes to your dad. 75 years! What a blessing!
by Maggie
on October 16th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
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Love the photos. I bet your daughter will really shine on horseback and I can’t wait to hear about your proposal (as soon as someone buys it, which will certainly happen. After all, I’ve read your writing and know how talented you are! 
)
by JB
on October 17th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
You ever feel like life is just one big rollercoaster ride? You climb up and then roll down and then up and down and off to the side, upside down and around again? Yeah–me too. Last week was the perfect example of the “ride.” All in one week the fridge just died–up and $400.00 worth died, the washing machine too, my husband’s clutch on his car and I pulled a ligament in my shoulder while leading a horse. But on the flipside, my daughter is getting excited about her first horse show, my middle son is actually enjoying school, my oldest one smiled (he’s the teenager, so a smile is HUGE), my husband got the keys to his new training studio, and I sent in a proposal (fingers crossed) that I am super excited about. It was also my dad’s 75th birthday and I made a huge pork loin for carnitas (yummy) and we celebrated with my family. The best part was to see how happy my dad was because there has never been a time when his three kids and all of his grandchildren have been in one place together. I am attaching a couple of photos. Oh, then yesterday I went with my daughter and another family who is like a second family to us to see Disney on Ice (High School Musical) and then we went out for pizza afterwards. It was plain old fun.