My Sister's FIFTY TWO--WOOT WOO?

There are times that I watch my sister or listen to her and I think, "IS THAT ME?!"

I smile because she IS my sister, I laugh because there is NOTHING I can do about it!!!


Today is Sherry's birthday, would you believe she is 52? I get tired of people thinking I am older than she is. I act older too. Not that that is any type of consolation. Sherry knows how to have fun and I LOVE being with her...we can laugh at the most STUPID things, which is usually ourselves. Better to laugh than cry. We do plenty of both!

If you really KNOW Sherry you LOVE her. She has a heart of gold. She will cheer for and try to protect the underdog, which is something we were taught by our parents. Sherry and I lost our only other sibling, our brother Dave 16 years ago. Since that time we have clung to each other in a way that is only understandable if you have gone through a similar experience. Trauma seemed to be our second cousin for quite some time, where you are always looking over your shoulder to see what terrible thing is going to happen next. It's an awful feeling, we still carry a bit of it around with us to this day.

It's a funny thing because when people look at Sherry they judge her...OH YES THEY DO! and it is so easy to justify yourself when you judge someone who looks like they have it all! Beautiful, Blond, Buxom, therefore she must be stupid, selfish and shallow. The story goes that within 30 seconds we will have made a judgment as to whether a person is rich or poor, married, divorced or single, how much education they have had, and what they may do for a living. Again, all within 30 seconds?!

We lived in a small community. We were not the family with the "right" last name, nor did our behaviors always score points with those who did have the "right" last name. Sherry and I both got married and had babies as teenagers. Dave hosted keg parties while my parents were out of town (some of those parents children with the "right" last names were at those parties :D). Were we judged, talked about? You better believe it! Did it hurt? Let me tell you the part that hurt the most...being the little sister and hearing adults talk badly about your siblings! Did they think that this was going to make me feel better? Shame on them!

When I think of the bond that we share with our siblings I cannot help thinking about a darling batch of puppies in the beginning stages of life--crawling all over one another, playing with abandon, hanging on their very mothers nipple for sustenance, and then so easily contented to sleep in any position wrapped around one another, upside down, draped over one another with no inhibition or expectation, just unabashed love. Why does this ever have to end?


Well we do grow up...we must get off the boob and go out into this big bad world. People will judge, but to know people is to love people. As a family we are better for our challenges and trials. No one will EVER know the struggles my BEAUTIFUL SISTER has been through, nor do they need to. If the truth be known we all have struggles and ONLY LOVE will heal...only love.

Happy Birthday Sis, I love YOU!!!

The Color Code Conversation

Our family has been long time fans of "Color Coding." If you've never heard of this, it is basically a tool to learn a little more about yourself, your relationships, and your life. Pretty basic stuff. HA! You'd think!

Some people call it personality profiling. That sounds a bit negative, but it is really quite fun, interesting and insightful.

There are many types of books and tests available that you can take to see what "color" you are. The whole idea is to get to know your strengths, and of course your weaknesses. My boys have had some fun with this over the years and we have done an over abundance of labeling with our little "RED" category. These are the personalities that are motivated by POWER. Their motto is: lead, follow or get out of the way, just make sure I'm leading. We have a lot of Red's in our immediate and extended family. Enough said. :) and sometimes :(

Needless to say, one "Color" is certainly not better than another. Are we all not striving to maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses? Is it not of value to take inventory at times and look at ourselves in the mirror, or in this respect, shall I say in a book, and learn a bit about our propensity to act in a certain manner? How gaining insights about the ease or the complexity of the relationships in our lives? and how to improve them!!

The Color Code by, Taylor Hartman Ph.D. is a simple read. This book has 45 multiple choice questions and wala! you have your primary and secondary COLOR! It makes for great conversation, banter (if you like that kind of thing), debate, and a little mirror staring you back in the face. Keep in mind you MUST be completely honest and forthright about yourself and your natural innate tendencies when you take the test!

Spring to Summer to Fall, but Where?

Last Fall I took a LOA (leave of absence) from my business, Phazes Salon & Day Spa of which I had been giving heart and soul to for 21 years. This past August marked our 22nd year in business. We opened in Ogden, Utah in 1987. Our second location opened in Kaysville, Utah in May 1995 and we finally were able to retire from paying rent to a landlord when we built this magnificent building and moved in 3 years ago. Designing, planning, and decorating the building all while still keeping up with normal business was a labor of love, albeit exhausting!

The first 6 months of my LOA was caught up in another business with my sister, therefore no R&R was to be had. Sherry has continued on with the business and is a fine entrepreneur in her own right. I got plenty of rest this Summer and now Fall is here and I wonder...what do I want to be when I grow up???

I am 46, no Spring Chicken anymore. Some days are good, Summer NOT! Do "they" consider 40's to be the Autumn of your life? or am I just getting started?!

Well, I must Find Another Place to Fall. I love being an entrepreneur, frankly I'm not sure I could work for anyone, but I would be a great employee. Maybe that doesn't make any sense...but it does to me! I could stay home and live the leisurely life...that doesn't make sense to me!!!

I have many interests and one in particular in mind, but time will tell. One thing I have learned is to try to let things BE for awhile and see what comes of it. Experience tells me that God has done more with my life than I have ever done for myself. I have not always been so good at patience and trust...I am learning.

Yes I could go back and plunge into Phazes, but what would really be the point? It is operating without me. I'm on the board! HA! What more could I want? It has been said, "What are you willing to let go of, to get what you want?"

Letting go of Phazes was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and yet it was really just a job. My identity, my passions, my creativity, so many things were all wrapped up in it, but that was just IT, I was all wrapped up in it!

My passion has, is and always will be helping people. If there is any Falling to be done, I hope it is others into MY arms, and that my arms are strong, loving and compassionate enough to hold them.

For everything there is a Season and a Time...

Blue is for Boys Pink is for Girls?

One of my favorite blogger's, John McManamy posted a blog entitled advice to a new grandson part II on September 27. You may click into the link and read the entire entry, he's a scream.

I made a comment and this was our dialogue, which I thought was rather poignant and humorous.

Dear John,

I concur with #2 & #8! However I do not agree with #7, just ask God. Good IS good enough! We need to get that!

Lori~

September 28, 2009 7:20 PM
John McManamy said...

Hey, Lucy. Here's the test: When they're inspecting the engines on a plane you will be boarding, do you want the inspectors to sign off with "good enough"?

Here's the way I see it: We give "our best." Our best may not be THE best. In fact, "our best" may suck. But we only settle for "good enough" when making our beds. :)
September 28, 2009 9:37 PM
Lori said...

Ahhh John and so it is! I like your take on it...and it's LORI, but Lucy's, good enough. :)
September 29, 2009 8:54 PM
John McManamy said...

Hey, Lori. Oops! A classic case of my good enough not good enough. :)
September 29, 2009 10:16 PM

I look at it this way, when T.J. my son was detoxing from a 7 year drug addiction I realized that no matter what he did, I loved him more than life itself, and I accepted anything and everything about him! I did not accept his behavior, but I accepted him and what ever he was willing to give and do on behalf of himself WAS good enough, God would do the rest. He is 4 years clean this December!

And another thought-- do we hold different expectations for boys than girls? And vice versa? If so...should we??