Murraytalk

Today marks 58 years that God has blessed me with; and I am beyond grateful! There were many years of my life that I just took each day for granted, not acknowledging that everyday is a gift that I have been blessed with. I was too busy surviving and working to accumulate things, versus using most of that energy and time on people. I missed out on moments because I was too busy focusing on what was ahead instead of being in the now. It really wasn't until I woke up one day and found out that I had stage 4 cancer. I was in the best place in my life back then I thought. I was in great physical shape, working and going to school, but my life got turned upside down. Every time my doctor would tell me how lucky I was that I caught my cancer in time, and it was good that I listen to my body, I saw it as my wake up call from God. I had become lost with recognizing my purpose, and I was living with a more is better attitude. Don't get me wrong, I like nice things, but I don't ...

The plan for today was to drive to Camp Verde this morning for a get together for my father in law's birthday. He would have been 83 today. Tom took his car to emissions early this morning and had a flat on the way home. I picked him up and my car started making a strange sound. We made it home and it died. So needless to say we're staying home since we all can't fit on the motorcycle. So my Saturday will consist of laundry and cleaning. I did have a good day yesterday visiting my niece. Makenna loves playing with her cousins - it was an afternoon of painting pumpkins and running around the back yard. Have a great Saturday! If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year ... Today should always be our most wonderful day. Thomas Dreier

Last night the family came over for dinner to celebrate my daughter Melissa's Birthday. We made it simple and casual - grilled and had cupcakes and cake. One of my granddaughters, Litzy, came over and made cupcakes with my daughter Kelsey. They baked Melissa's cupcake in a terra cotta pot - they put a bow around the pot and put a cute plastic wand with a glitzy star on the cupcake - (which caught on fire and melted on the cupcake) it was really cute. When I purchased the pack of star wands the cashier said, "Oh a princess party. "  I said, " Yea, the princess is turning 32."  Crazy how quickly the years go by.                                                                                                         ...

We had a good day yesterday celebrating Kelsey's Birthday. She worked until 4 and her boyfriend and I did a quick cleaning job in her room as we decorated it. It turned out cute even though the streamers that Sam bought had little elephants, giraffes and ducks on it - pretty sure it was made for a baby shower, but he tried.                                                                               I made her dinner and we had birthday cake from Baskin Robbins. We were all together for cake except for Makenna and Michael - he had to work and Makenna went home after a week of spending the night with me. But at 11:45pm there was a knock at the door - it was Michael with a card in his hand and a big smile on his face asking if  Kelsey was awake. He made a great ending to a b...

Twenty one years ago I was in Scottsdale giving birth to a baby girl. I still remember when the the nurses would bring her to me they would check our arm bracelets numerous times making sure she was really mine.                                                                      Yes, she was the fairest of them all. It's hard to believe that she's 21 today. It really does seem like it was only yesterday that I was trying to drop her off at preschool as she hung tightly to my leg begging me not to go. She told me that she was never going to leave me and live with me forever - I didn't believe that statement then, but I do today. It's been a fun 21 years  and I can't wait to celebrate 21 more. Saturday we'll go out with family and friends to celebrate - today will just be dinner at home with the family. ...

Today two of my grandchildren, the twins are 13 years old... Happy Birthday Allie and Brad! It's hard to believe that I have grandchildren that are teenagers. They're great kids - focused in school, busy with their extra curricular activities, and a great big sister and brother.  It doesn't seem like that many years have passed. I still have great memories of them as new borns - they were the perfect snuggling size. As they grew Brad still wanted me to sit and hold him all day, and I did. I asked Tiffanie how she got anything done holding him.                                                          She said, " I don't hold him all day." But I still did. I spent most of my time with Allie pulling vegetables out of her nose. Great times - loved every minute! We've had a lot of great times growing up together, and I hope to ha...

Birthday Boy It was Andrew's 5th Birthday yesterday! Family After breakfast we all met on the beach to celebrate Andrew's 5th Birthday(grandson) with homemade cupcakes, paddle ball, and once again lots of playing on the beach. And as usual the day ended with me dragging Makenna off the beach with her screaming. I don't think kids ever get tired of the water and the sun, but I'm already thinking of a vacation from the vacation - I'm exhausted!  No beach tomorrow  - I'm off to the Ricki Lake Show! Love your Tuesday!!!

Today would be my mom's 84th birthday...I'm not sure if I want to get to that age.  I just had a conversation with a friend about her mother who is in her 90's. I asked how she was and she said, " Not good, she's starting to give up because she feels useless. I'm sure she does, what are you going to accomplish in your 90's?  When you're in your 80's and 90's I'm sure most are thankful (as we all should be) for another day, but for me it's about quality of life. If I can't get out of bed and piddle around my house doing insignificant things that make me happy and feel useful - I don't want to keep living; that's just existing to me. And I know for a fact I won't be taking handful of pills to keep going. I really believe doctor's do too much to keep us alive - at least they did for my mom. When it's my time to go I just want to go as God intended. Happy Tuesday!!!

The morning for me started out like the past few Saturdays - sitting in a group session with addicts in treatment. As I sit and listen I have to wonder if some of them will ever make it on their own without a substance. But, on a lighter note I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at my grandsons birthday party. There's nothing like a group of kids running around having fun and loving life. He had a water slide in the backyard that all ages seemed to enjoy. My son had the BBQ going cooking carne asada and the pinata was hung in the front yard... fun time! Today my husband and I will be taking Jaden out for his one on one day with us. I'll let you know tomorrow where we went. Have a blessed Sunday!

Happy Birthday to my grandson Jaden - 9 years old today! I have 8 grandchildren and 5 children - I admit I'm the worst when it comes to remembering their ages. In fact, my sister called yesterday to ask how old Jaden was going to be; my response was 8 or 9, but I know for sure not 10. I decided I better call my son to get the correct age - he's turning 8 I was told, so I called my sister along with putting a picture of Jaden on facebook that said, " I can't believe he's going to be 8 tomorrow." This morning my son stops by and says, "Oh mom, he's 9 - I called him last night at 1am in the morning from work and said Happy Birthday, how does it feel to be 8?" Jaden said, " Dad, I'm 9." So I did my correction on facebook this morning and I now know that my son is not the go to person for ages. I always  go by the year I was born to get my correct age, or I ask one of my grandchildren. So here's to a day of family time...

Thirty five years ago I was put in a taxi cab - the driver was given instructions to take me to St. Josephs Hospital. Tiffanie I gave birth that morning to my first child, my daughter...Happy Birthday Tiffanie! I was 18 years old, unmarried and living with my parents. The father of my child (my husband of 35 years) was also living at home with his parents. We were two kids that were oddly thrown together, but would stay together forever. He grew up in the foothills with the country club and I grew up in a middle class neighborhood. He told his mother that he would marry a black girl before he met me. As I've said numerous times before, I don't believe in coincidences. I look at young parents today and I can't stand how the majority of them are self absorbed and disconnected from their child. If you're not ready to give your all into raising a child, DON'T HAVE SEX! There wasn't sex education classes when I was in school, and our parents didn't si...

It was another grandchild's birthday in the Murray family yesterday...holla! My husband and I did our new tradition of spending one on one time with our grandchildren on their birthday - yesterday was Madison's day. We started out with dinner at Oregano's in Old Town Scottsdale. I love the ambience of this particular Oregano's, but found out yesterday that after 18 years of being at that location their moving to an old farm house that was built in the early 1900’s.  http://www.oreganos.com/moving.html They had us sign their wall which she thought was really cool, and the menu consists of primarily Italian entrees so Maddie was a happy camper! Unfortunately, it was insanely busy at Oregano's that night - by the time we were seated and served we had to inhale our food so we could get to Jester'z in time to introduce her to the world of Improv Comedy. www.jesterzimprov.com She had a great time watching the actors do their magic... she als...

Last night my girlfriend Arlene invited me to Manuels in Scottsdale to listen to a band that her former high school friend is in. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Alan Harkrader was amazing. ( http://www.alanharkrader.com/     He played with the rock group  The Gringos in the 70's.  First photo of The Gringos I not only enjoyed listening to Alan's incredible voice and guitar playing, but loved how the cantina was filled with Arlene's classmates. They not only enjoy the band, but each others company as well. I think it's great how they have a meeting place to reconnect and reminisce. I felt as if I had known each of them for years as I looked at cell phone pictures and received birthday wishes as Alan sang happy birthday to me.   I thank Arlene for introducing me to a fun venue and fabulous people. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend that you stop in at Manuels  http://manuelsaz.com/  and take a listen...I guarantee you won't...