Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You

Accidents happen, and the latest tragedy to hit Amtrak is a sobering reminder of just that. Seven people were killed and hundreds injured as the train they were traveling on derailed somewhere in Philly. This one hit home especially hard for me as I travel to New York on Amtrak frequently to see Frick. Amtrak is our chosen mode of transportation to get her home time and time again, most notably this Sunday, as Frick has a ticket booked to return home.

I'm not feeling too good about sending my kid home on an Amtrak train right about now.

I am saddened for the families of the loved ones lost and I pray for the recovery of the injured, but how can I knowingly put my child on a train after this? Some would argue that this might be the safest time to ride the train, others may decide not to press their luck. I'm more of the latter way of thinking, yet life goes on. It has to, don't you think? The train service has resumed, everyone more than likely exercising extreme caution to prevent against further accidents, but still I worry.

Maybe I'll drive down to pick her up myself.

Mommy Dearest.

Would it be considered "over parenting"? Lately I have been guilty of taking on the problems of my grown, somewhat adult children? This is a new sensation to me because in the years leading up to now, it was my JOB to take on the problems of my kids. Now that Frick and Frack are 20 and 19 respectively and out of the house, I find myself obsessing over the silly little day to day stuff that they complain about which really has nothing to do with me.

For God's sake wouldn't you think I have better things to worry about??

Yet here I am worrying and thinking about their small stuff. Things like social issues, romance issues, the influence of peer pressure, academic pressure and I worry that they are unequipped to deal with these things. Despite my worry, they seem to be handling the world without me just fine, and its not like I am constantly calling them or texting with my advice. I silently think about their stuff and find myself wondering how they may have handled a situation, ever careful not to let on that I have been worrying about it. Sometimes I think I worry about their crap more than they do.

I finally realized that despite what I think, my children are equipped to handle these minor navigations through their lives. Dare I say it, it's probably good for them to handle these things alone, even though I don't want to admit it. I have taught them well. Then it dawned on me-maybe they are happy? Maybe something that I may not agree with was actually born out of a choice. A choice that they made for themselves to keep their lives in harmony. After all, it is their life to lead.

It's never easy, this parenting thing, is it? But I realize that no matter what I'm not going to change who I am. I just have to learn to let them be who they are. If they want my advice, they'll ask for it and I will be ready and waiting to give it. Yes, hard as it is I'm going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut when it comes to my kids and their small stuff.

Whether I like it or not.

I Don't See No Stinkin' Fat Lady Singing

I may not be as young as I used to be, but I know I'm not as old as I sometimes think I am.
So, I now wake up with a few new aches and pains that may not have been there last month. So what? The laugh and expression lines that once formed and then disappeared, now have become a permanent part of my face, forever. Should I not laugh or smile? These only serve to remind me that I chose to live a life to the fullest.

To my BFF Danny, I say, we are closer to the middle than we are to the end, so let's rejoice in that.

In answer to your question: NO, puffiness around the eye area does NOT mean you are getting old and losing your youth. Unless you think you are getting old and losing your youth, then I can't help you. But I think I know you a bit better than that, and I think I need to break this issue down for you so you can see for yourself.

THE FACTS:

Puffiness around the eye area is the presence of excess fluid (edema). The contributing factors are numerous, but the most common are here:

• Diet-caffeine and sodium are killers. Too much caffeine and foods high in sodium can all make your eyes look even PUFFIER. Alcohol can cause fluid to pool under the eye, and foods like canned veggies and canned soups, high in sodium can be the culprit.
• Sleep Habits: Sleeping flat on your back, without a pillow, can cause fluid to build under the eye area. Try elevating your head by adding another pillow to your head at night.
• Medical condition: It's quite possible there is something else going on here. Abnormally low levels of protein in the blood, a kidney condition or too little thyroid hormone are mentioned as possibilities for periorbital oedema. Talk to your doctor, have your blood pressure checked, your urine and your blood tested to determine any of these things. 
• Allergies: Most certainly the most common in all the research I read. And here's the thing you can have allergies and not even know it. When you react to allergens, histamines are released.  They can cause swelling in the face, especially around the eyes. An antihistamine may help with swelling, but you would be better served knowing exactly what you are allergic to and avoiding it. 
• Yes, AGE: Heredity and age can be contributing factors to puffiness in the eye area. When the skin under the eye becomes thin, it begins to sag and eyes look more puffy and tired. But I don't think that's the culprit here. 

Bottom line, you are not old, so stop thinking you are old because then you will become old. Good thing you have me to remind you, because I'm just a few paces behind you in this marathon we call life. 

And we ain't goin' anywhere. 

You can best believe that when we get there we will be fabulous. 

This is the way I plan on being when I get there...