Life as a CrazyMimi

Family Vacation.  Those words conjure up visions of the Griswold family, hilarious fun or fighting siblings, depending on the family, and either wonderful hotels in big cities, or tents or campers in a state park campground.  Throw those scenes right out the window!   After all, we are the Boothe family.  We don't do anything the normal way!  For 16 years, we have rented a house on Lake Anna in VA.  The Punkins call it Crazy Mimi's Lake House.  The crowd has varied in years past.  Troy's and My parents are no longer able to join us.  We added a cousin/bff  a few years back. There are no longer daughters-in-law.  (These things happen, and while we still love both girls and miss them, this is the new reality.)  But there's one constant, and that's our Punkins and our boys.  And this year we add our oldest Punkin's girlfriend.  The dynamics are changing! While other families eat out, sightsee, and lay on the beach or float in a pool, the Boothes hang out on a dock

Five and a half years ago, looking for some extra money to spend on my Punkins, I applied to my local Pier 1 Imports store as holiday help.  Christmas was coming, and I thought it would be great to be able to fund the holiday without killing the household budget.  I have always loved Pier 1, the products, the people,  the smells, that red tile floor, and yes, the music.  It was my Happy Place!  Going in for my interview I was excited, and when I met Steven, the store manager, I instantly liked him!  Long story short, I was hired, and was so very happy to be working in this beautiful store!  I had no retail experience,  but when you love what you sell, it's super easy to be a good salesperson!  Christmas came and went, and I was asked to stay on.  I did, and after some more time passed, I was approached about becoming a Sales Leader, a shift manager.  It was more hours, but I loved this place, so after some thought, I agreed and began working at my new position.   After several ye

Have you ever read something that just totally knocked you off your feet?  Totally hit home?  I did that recently, and I can't stop thinking about it! I follow Valerie Burton on Facebook.  She is a best selling author and Certified Life Coach.  I like her posts because she is uplifting, faith based, and always has a positive outlook.  Last week, one of her posts was titled Accepting What Is....Can You Handle The Reality?  Well, I'm pretty sure I can't.  But I want to..... The basics of the article is this - Instead of constantly trying to control what you can't control, learn to accept "What Is".  So in the article she asks "What is your What Is?".  My what is I asked myself?  My "What Is" is that I am in my late 50s and still feel 18 inside.  There is so much I want to do, places I want to go.  I don't mean to go into a gloom and doom mood here, but I'm not getting any younger! And then there is that whole "I have t

Three years and a few months ago, my granddaughter Emily was turning eight.   She was also learning about American Girl dolls.  She wanted one of these Oh So Expensive dolls so badly  that I decided, no matter the cost, that I would find a way to get her one.  I mean, what are Mimi's for, right??  I personally think a Mimi's primary job is to be there for her Punkins when they need her, or when there is something that is so desperately wanted that it melts my heart seeing their desire.  Emily was sleeping with the American Girl catalog!   I think that classified this as a deeply desired item!  Let me say right here and now that I don't want to take any joy away from a parent, but parents are responsible for day to day needs. They also have other children to consider.  Soooo...here's where Mimis and Pops  come in!   A date was arranged, reservations made in the bistro, cousins, great grandmother and great aunt loaded into my car, and we headed to Tyson's Corner,  V

Let me begin by setting the stage.... My dining room, December 31st, 2015. People present--Myself, Hubby Troy, Son Ryan, Daughter-In-Law Tabitha, Cousin Crystal (a very close cousin), and my 5 VA Punkins. Occasion--Our Boothe Christmas celebration I say "I have an announcement to make!" Looks of concern, amusement, and most of all fear from my family.  Yes, they know me! Troy looks at Ryan and says "How do you feel about a little brother?" There is some choking, and some nervous laughter....then a LOT of laughter! After everyone realizes that this is NOT what my announcement is, I proceed to tell my family my big announcement. Since I turn 59 on my upcoming birthday in March, I have made a 60 before 60 list. A bucket list. And I want to complete it before I turn 60 in March of 2017. While I am not making my entire list known to everyone, (there has to be some mystery, right?) I am letting some items be known.  For instance, as strange as this may seem