You Can Smell It In The Air!

COMPETITION. It's thick tonight at Casa de Gault. We found and dusted off our electronic dart board and set that sucker up on my art easel in the living room.
(we're first class all the way)

Jason, Olivia and I used to spend countless hours slaying each other in very competitive rounds of darts before Ava was born. Now, 5 years later, the dragon has reared it's ugly head. We've been playing easily for an hour or more, and the only guy in the house has lost more games to the girls than he would care to admit. You realize how HUGE this is if (1) you know how he loathes to lose at anything, and (2) see number one.

See, my husband really strives for perfection in all he does. This is why our teasing towards him is so sweet. If things don't pick up in the living room soon, he will be up half the night perfecting his game.

On to the girls. Olivia seems to have a knack for the game. She did smoke her dad a few times already. Ava likes all games, so of course she's right up in the mix. Marilyn...oh, boy. She does good to hit the board at all. Lots of nerves and squinted eyes when she's up.

I am the reigning champion so far tonight. It's really just luck, but I'm relishing my title nonetheless. I took a break to fire up some chicken wings for dinner and to give someone else a fighting chance. ; ) After dinner, as The Daddy says, "It's On." Whatev.

Dana, Queen of Darts

Outside my window...

Our computer sits in front of a large, double window that overlooks our patio and backyard. I like that I can sit here and still enjoy what goes on outside.

Jason has been pushing Marilyn and Ava in their swings--something that they will con him into doing for a lot longer than he planned. Next, I watched them fill up a big hole that our dog made--Mari was so cute with her tiny red shovel her daddy bought from Lowe's. Of course, Mousse is at their heels with every move they make, just dying for someone to notice him and throw his tennis ball...again. Ava just discovered the "MAMA ♥S DADDY" I wrote on the patio with sidewalk chalk. She thinks I'm the best mom ever (her words) since I know how to draw "hot scotch" squares. I am pretty amazing... Liv will be home soon. She will walk in that door, make a straight line for me and hug me tight. I love this predictable part of her.

It's lunch time now, so I'm being summoned to whip up some turkey sandwiches with cheddar cheese. After that, it will be nap time and I'll get to do some more painting or maybe some sewing. Either way, know that I'm enjoying my simple day.
I hope you do, too.

Dana

Have a Good Day

As I was talking to my Daddy about some things going on in my life, about how strange it was at my age, he chuckled and reminded me, "Doll, you're not exactly a spring chicken." I laughed because I know he's right. I will be forty this year, and I'm looking forward to it, actually. It's feeling like a rite of passage, much like you feel about turning twenty-one.

Some of my friends have lost their parents, others have battled sickness, and although it's the circle of life, it forces me to face the reality of my own time here on this earth.

I am content with my life, and I really think that's saying something. I believe that being happy takes a concerted effort. Sure, there are things that bug me, and I have the resources to whip up a really nice temper, but dang that takes a lot of effort. I'd rather use my powers for good. Sometimes I'm reminded by people I see that a bad outlook can drain you, and I just don't have time for that. If you're not careful of the company that you keep, negative people will try to entangle you in their hot mess. Mysery loves company.

My time to build a life here should be well spent. I'm delighted to say I'm off to a great start. At the tender age of 39 (better brag about that while I still can) I've been blessed with a great little family of my own. My husband and I still write and hide notes all over the house for the other to find. They're simple and mostly silly, but every time I find one, I smile like an idiot. As a Christian wife, I recognize my husband as the head of our household and I submit to him. Now, in case some people (women) out there reading this just coiled up and hissed, I dare you to try it. Try loving the man in your life in the most sincere, fun, creative ways and see what kind of spark it starts in your relationship. I think you will find that giving and doing for someone else brings YOU the gift of joy. My husband and I attempt to one-up each other with kindness in little ways. It's not a science, but let me tell you it works in this marriage.♥

I'm also the mother of three precious daughters. They are the most wonderful/maddening experience so far in this life of mine. They challenge me in many ways. For example, how to practice self-control while mopping up chocolate milk from the carpet in the den; wisdom in determining an I'm-dying scream from a That's-hilarious scream. They can be little ladies one moment, then shift to giggling wildly because "somebody pooted". They can make me so mad, then turn around and melt me when I see they've fallen asleep holding hands. I love to see them care for one another and hope they will build on those moments, growing them into beautiful relationships when they are grown-up sisters. My prayer is always that God will grant me a life long enough to see my girls graduate, find careers they love, fall in love, get married, and of course have babies of their own. I think my husband and I will make wonderful grandparents. That should be our reward for not packing the girls up and shipping them UPS to Anywhere, USA.

Take stock of your life today. What's in it that you love? What's in it that you could change or improve? Don't forget to self-evaluate. That's always a great starting place. Be the nicest person today that anyone should happen to meet. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you receive in return.

I've got to wrap this up...one princess just shoved the other one, then some kicking took place. That part is no joke. It's so nap time. Have a really good day.

Dana♥

Year of the Big Four-O

Before I go to bed, I must write about the milestone that happened today:
my very best friend turned FORTY!! Being little chicks hatched in 1971,
2011 is our big year. I think she's been a little mixed bag of feelings, but
ultimately, she's embraced it. I mean, did she really have a choice?

Let me just say that everyone should be so lucky to have a best friend like
I've got in her. Our moms were friends in highschool, so we joke about being besties
in utero. The similarities only begin there: we both have a wicked & silly sense of humor; we have that eerie twin-like ability to know what the other would think or
say about something; we both snort when we get really tickled about something; we're both short, curvy, and blonde....and of all things, we're both named Dana.

This girl can evoke a laugh with just a look. A slitty-eyed look, as she brands it.
She can tell a story with such detail and candor that it's like watching a movie. Don't dare cross her or anyone she cares about, unless you just like to be diced up verbally. She seems to have the memory of an elephant--a pro, yet a con. You know that saying, "The purpose of life is not to arrive at the end in a well preserved state, but rather to slide in sideways shouting "HOLY CRAP, WHAT A RIDE!"...they obviously had her in mind. Best of all, she is the most generous and loyal person you'd ever have the priveledge to hang out with.

As a kid, I've seen her pick up a cat by the nape of the neck...with her teeth. I've seen her throw a Big Mac farther than you'd think possible. I've drawn cartoons in church with her...about other people in the church. Shame on us, but those were some funny cartoons, and we were KIDS. I've seen a frog tied to the end of a string, but that's all I can tell you about that story.

As a teen, I've been tossed about in the family van (I'm talking about those back-in-the-day BIG vans, too) as she drove it recklessly down a winding path while on a vacay in the mountains. That was so much fun. I've feared for my life when she verbally assaulted a carfull of teen boys passing by and yelling at us. They sooo had it coming, and she took care of business in one breath and never blinked.

As an adult, she's cried with me when my heart was broken...then most likely said something irreverent to ease the pain. She's kept every secret I've ever shared with her in "The Vault" as we call it. We can talk for hours, then not talk for weeks, and pick right back up where we left off. She can be elegant and classy, and the life of the party--depending on the hat she's chosen.
I am most proud of the way she has seemed to find a new zest for life. She's become a Zumba fanatic, and trying all kinds of new things people always say they're gonna do, but never really do. One of her new passions come to life is ballroom dancing.
She is obsessed! I love seeing her so excited about just living life. We could all learn from that: stop talking and start doing.

She and I have packed a lot of living and great memories into four decades, and I guarantee if the Good Lord's willing, we will have at least than many more. You know, life is full of acquaintances, friends, loves... and most turn out to be temporary relationships. It takes years to build a genuine, heartfelt friendship. You step out on faith, and if your lucky, it gets stronger with each memory you make, lots of laughing, support, loyalty, silliness, and plain ol' fun. It should come easy, but at the same time you work at it because it matters.

So, dear crazy friend, Dana Morgan Buse(aka "Mahboo") HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO YOU. Keep trying new things and enjoying every day you're given. Much love always and God bless you. "A friend loveth at all times." --Proverbs 17:17

The Other Dana

Happy New Year!

What a cool date today is: 1-1-11.

This year will bring my 40th birthday! I guess not all women are excited about that idea, but I enjoy everything about my opportunity to grow older. (Except that for the first time ever, I found a gray hair. Guess if I hadn't been highlighting and coloring my hair since 7th grade, I'd have discovered one way before now, but that's another blog.) I welcome each year with promise and wouldn't trade any of my wisdom or experience to relive an earlier decade. When I think back about the girl I used to be, I get sort of a "Bless her little heart" nostalgia. I've always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt right away. Life has taught me you can't do that. Like my husband says, I've honed my "BS-o-Meter" a little better. I listen to my gut a lot more, and surprisingly it's been a fairly accurate measure.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I really don't and I'm not sure why. I do like the idea that you can take inventory of your life, so to speak, and make conscious decisions for improvements. For example, something I've tried to do differently in my life is compliment people more. Have you ever been talking to someone and in mid-sentence notice something totally unrelated--their hair looks great, they smell good, they have a beautiful smile--but you don't tell them? Maybe in a group setting, someone mentions a mutual acquaintance or friend, then everyone tells something wonderful they like about that person, but never TO that person? Why?? How wonderful would that make you feel to get a sincere compliment on something insignificant? How nice would it be for someone to tell you their favorite personality trait about you? What if someone out of the blue how your day has been?
These are all things that don't cost a dime but can add so much richness to another's day. When I shop, I always ask the cashier, "Have you had a good day so far?" Sometimes it really catches them off guard; others seem to have an answer right away, but the point remains: someone cared enough to ask them how they were doing. I tell the lady at the power company how sweet she always is--because she is.
There is a cashier at WalMart (of all places) that has the best attitude and smile everytime I'm in her line--and I make sure she knows that I notice and that she makes my shopping trip nicer. I like seeing the sparkle a kind word can bring to a face. Funny, but I think I get more out of it that they do.

My faith and confidence in who I am is rooted firmly in Jesus Christ. The Lord designed and wired my being to be the best ME I can be. I want to be part of His plan to share love. There are many negative things in this world, so I'm sure not needed on that team. I want my light to shine and I want to impart good feelings on all the people that I meet in my life. No one can do what I can do; I cannot do what is meant for others. Still, how beautiful when we edify each other!

So, I encourage you to accept this new year's challenge: be the kindest, most thoughful person others will meet today. That begins with your family! Tell them what you admire in them; what you love about them; what their strengths are. Believe in them. Then, as you go about your day, consider the strangers around you.
You never know how one kind word or smile from you can lift them up. Maybe just when they'll need it most. After a while, it just becomes a natural part of who you are. You will be a light to people around you, but you end up with the ultimate prize: a heart that is most full. As my lifetime best friend always says: "My cup runneth over."

love,

Dana