Concours means "old" - Sunday 3/15/09

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to visit the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island. Funny thing is that this renowned car show has been occurring on Amelia Island since 1996. I've lived there since 1990, but sometimes you have to leave before you can appreciate what was in your own backyard! I never realized how much I love classic (a/k/a old) cars until last week. I'm a Libra..and so being...I like anything exquisite, beautiful, classic, stunning, and appealing to the discriminating eye. I walked around looking at all the classic automobiles. I'm also a history buff, so just ot be in the presence of unique and special vehicles was an understatement. Think of all the history each one of these special classics have seen. World War I? The Roaring 20's? The Great Depression? World War II? Korea? Post-Kennedy assasination? Vietnam?

Each Car Class presented a unique look into the triumphs and tribulations of our nation. What we've experienced..what we've overcome. And the owners seem to be as enthusiastic and impassioned as we are with our iPods, our Wii's and our wireless connections. These things aren't so beautiful, but maybe our great-grandchildren will visit a unique show that displays our passion.

For me? These cars are a direct relationship with our parents, grandparents, and personal history. I'm going to make every effort to follow these personal collections to Miami Concours or the Desert Concours. Want to join me?

10 Places I Don't Like To Be - Monday 3/9/09

I never noticed this phenomena before the divorce. Let me explain. It isn't the divorce that I care about..it was long overdue. What I miss is my children. I definitely notice these "family" moments now...these are the places I don't like to be:

1. The airport. Families are traveling to go on the yearly family vacation or visit extended family.
2. The mall. Mothers taking their children out to spend a day of shopping or just strolling and window shopping.
3. The grocery store. Enough said...I stand in the checkout line alone checking out my 5 items while I wait for the $300 grocery checkout. Until now, I didn't realize planning a meal was such a family event.
4. The amusement park. This is probably the worst scenario...I'm with my boyfriend (which isn't bad), but I used to be one of those Mothers that had a line of kids..and telling them, "Get down...sit still...quit bothering your sister." That was me and I miss it.
5. The park. There is no worse place to visit if you're single. Everyone is there with their family. I used to think it was a chore, but now I miss the experience.
6. The neighborhood family restaurant. I used to be "one of those"... I was the mother that used to drag her children into the family dining establishment to teach them social and table manners. Now, I'm there as a patron. I don't like that kids ruin everyone's dining experience, but I do miss the intentions.
7. The county fair. I went for the first time in 10 years. It was actually boring, I didn't realize how fun kids make it.
8. The beach. I used to like to go to the beach, but now it's just me and my boyfriend. We just find a place to sit and watch everyone else having fun. I can't believe that I would miss getting messy helping my child build a sandcastle OR worry that a wave is going to take her down!
9. The road trip. I miss, "Mom, I have to go potty!"
10. The swimming pool. I really miss, "I DON'T WANNA GO. I DON'T WANNA GO. WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO?"

I didn't realize that I was absorbed in the responsibility and I didn't get it. I should have enjoyed the experience. I miss the experience. Now? I watch your families have the experience.

You Know You Are Old When - Sunday 3/8/09

I think that Life is funny. Then again, I always find the funny in every situation. I think it has everything to do with losing most of my childhood. I started becoming a child (again) in my mid-30s. This was when I quit taking everything for granted and started looking introspectively for what I AM and NOT what I'm not.

I can only surmise that life is designed to be this way. Why is it when the children, that you have spent your entire adult life raising, have grown and moved out that women tend to falter looking for a purpose? Maybe because we have always had a purpose? Men have too, but they tend to have the ability to let that go and begin to really "live life." Thus, the so-called-midlife-crisis. I think Moms have a midlife crisis in their own right OR at least I am.

For the first time in my life I feel old. Anyone that knows me knows that I tend to be a complete immature goofball. I am the quick-witted-find-everything-funny-in the moment kind of person. I can be and am serious when the situation calls for it, but people are too serious. Most people will never describe me in that way. My kids are always telling me to grow up...even though I think they know better by now.

I know that I'm old when I'm looking for ways to feel younger. It was never such a chore before. These are reasons I feel old:

• I'm reaching out to people that I haven't talked to in almost 25 years.
• I'm seeing the world through different lenses. It isn't 6 degrees of separation, everyone is connected.
• I'm beginning to understand that the faults I have are becoming strengths.
• I want to be impassioned to make a difference in the world.
• I'm planning my will. WTF?
• I understand that my children and career have shaped my self-worth and value. My children are gone and now I think I need to let go of the current job I have. That IS the only way I will know my own true worth
• I contemplate a lot of my childhood memories and think of the people that have passed.

I could go on and on, but I just wanted to make a statement that we are here for a short time and I want my time to count for something. That's why I know I'm getting old. :)