The Kofford Family relocates to Colorado after 40 years as Californians. In December of 2007, Grandma Lorraine is diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Sadly, she passed away on Dec. 26th, 2008 after a year long courageous battle. Follow our journey as we keep Lorraine's memory alive, and as we learn to appreciate that each day we are given, is a gift to be enjoyed!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
~Maria Robertson

Monday, August 31, 2009

The face behind the blog...


This is me. As the author of this blog, I should show you the "real me" a little more than I do, but over the past few years I realize I don't like to show you myself very often. All I tend to see are my droopy eyelids and uneven smile. The rest of me has plenty of flaws too. As each year passes, age has sure made me dislike more and more superficial things about myself.

When I start to see all those wrinkles and flaws, and ponder my own mortality, I think of my mom. I remember her great attitude and how she lived her life, not just at the end but throughout her 40's, 50's and 60's. Wrinkles and flaws were especially of no concern to her once she learned she had only a year to live. What truly becomes important in life isn't the outside part of us, but who we have in our lives and those we hold dear. I am so glad I was able to be a part of my mom living that concept first hand.

Since my parents both passed at age 67, I spend a lot of time thinking about the time I have left on this earth. How am I spending it and with whom? Do I invest in the relationships that mean the most to me? Is the way I live my life, true to how I want to be remembered? Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis, or maybe I'm still trying to find my way. Either way, I'm trying to live more fully and embrace life more, just like my mom taught me to do during her lifetime. In doing so, I've picked up a new hobby. There are still so many things I want to accomplish in this lifetime...including learning how to knit! Although I haven't learned how to knit yet, I did learn a "lazy" version!

See this loom and yarn in the photo? I learned a new skill with Ashlyn at Girl Scout camp using the "Kniffty Knitter." I am now officially hooked on creating treasures with the Kniffty Knitter...This is what I have been busy doing in my free time!

Don't laugh, but I have made 6 matching sets of mother/daughter hats! Now if I could just learn how to knit for real and make matching scarves! I have no idea who will want to wear these works of art...Luckily we live in a state that sees snow, so I'm hoping friends will oblige me this winter! Doesn't everyone need a warm hat when they walk to their mailbox? :-)

Tom and I have also started excersing together! We have one of the most perfect settings to make exercise as pleasurable as possible. We have been jog/walking around our neighborhood lake on a 3.5 mile loop. There are prairie dogs, cottontail rabbits, egrets, wildflowers, fisherman, canoes, and wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains to enjoy as we get outside and get moving! Since Tom is home during his job search, we have been enjoying getting active and making positive life changes. I joined Weight Watchers last week and am hoping these positive changes will help me not only lose weight, but lower my cholestrol, etc...

Tom has also been growing quite a mountain-man beard since being home almost a month. When it is daylight tomorrow I will take a photo to share. He loves it and not having to shave like he did daily the past 20 years! I have a differing opinion about the beard, but will show you a photo so you can see for yourself!

I will say, "Goodnight" for now, and wish you all a good week! I hope you spend every day living fully!

12 comments:

Lorri said...

love this post and love you! I see a beautiful friend with a great smile and a cute haircut to boot! Hey, you can knit me a long tube for a sweater for Missy! :)

Love you and glad to call you my Longmont friend!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Denise, I'm checking in from my blog break to say I think you are GORGEOUS... inside and out!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

Denise when I look at photos of myself I see droopy eyes and wrinkles but when I look at your photo I see great beauty!

Just wanted to tell you that there are looms like the circle ones that you can make scarves on! lol

Julie said...

I am a long-time friend of Kim Faires, and I found your blog through hers. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog!! Just wanted to comment that you are a very beautiful woman on the outside, and I can tell by reading your blog that you are just as beautiful on the inside.

ShutUpandRun said...

LOVE the hats. Wish I knew how to knit. Congrats on your 15 miles this week!!!! And your 5 lb loss. Keep it up!!

Kim said...

My dear friend you are one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and OUT! Can't wait to see a pic of "mountain hubby" Way to go you two on the exercising together!

LYLAS!

Faith said...

You are beautiful, Denise! I'm so proud of the knitting you've done...great job!

Thanks for your prayers for us and your gift to help us get there!

Unknown said...

You my dear are lovely both inside and out! I love the hats, not much need for those in FL. I love that you have found yet another creative outlet!
I look forward to seeing your mountain man......Kevin likes to lay off shaving on vacation too!
Wishing you luck on keeping up the exercising and with WW. It's a good plan. Wishing always I wasn't so far away!

glitzen said...

Beautiful YOU! What a wise and thoughtful post. I know your mom would be happy that you have embraced her example. You are now inspiring others, through your daily example. She would love that! :)
I really love WW, by the way. Its so much fun to have cheerleaders along the way to better health.

glitzen said...

PS We love the Knifty Knitter too! Its the only way I have every knitted. I want to do more hats this winter. We make a lot for baby showers.

Lucy Marie said...

You are so beautiful!

Jenn said...

You are gorgeous! Keep up the great posts. I naturally have droopy eyelids as well and have been using a product called Eye Magic that has given my eyes a huge lift. Google 'eye magic eye lift' if you're interested.

Love the blog!

Jenn