It's A Birthday

When I was 24, I became pregnant with my 3rd child. I had an instant connection with my unborn baby. I was my mom's third child. My mom was also my grandmother's third child. Being third is superb!

I like to believe the number 3 is special. (This is my mom, me, my dad, Christopher, Elisabeth & Christina. Dad is my age in this photo. See how white his hair is? Imagine me just the same.)


My number 3 child turns a magical age today.


She is 24-the same age I was when she arrived into this world.


Happy Birthday Elisabeth!

I Feel Like A New Person

I just took a shower! I know, it isn't usually something to celebrate, just one of those things you do whether you feel like it or not. Today it was heavenly-my first shower in 4 days. I know what you are thinking...WHAT? This is the same person who tells us she washes her hair EVERY SINGLE DAY and spends loads of time messing with it.

Last Thursday I spent 3 hours in the shower. The water was not running. I scraped every little bit of caulking from the seams and edges. I used 3 different tools, 3 cleaning products during those 3 hours. I think it was a record. I then waited 3 days for it to completely dry out before asking the man of the house to recaulk it. I asked him to please try to find the very best mold and mildew resistant caulking on the market. When he responded with, "they have caulking that resists mold?" I knew why I'd spent 3 long hours with blood, sweat, and tears.

In the meantime, I took glorious soaks in the bathtub. I'd forgotten how wonderful my skin feels submerged in silky softness. Memories of childhood danced in my head. I thought of my days as a young mom, when I only dreamed of a few moments of bathing in privacy. I would have given up anything to lounge leisurely in this lap of luxury.

On Saturday, my bath was quick. Ethan was here. I had quite a workout washing and rinsing my hair in the tub. That was the day I remembered the harried times of mothering young children and bathing as fast as humanly possible. It made me wonder...was Jesus ever able to bathe in private once he began his public ministry?

Can you just imagine him sneaking off to the river to bathe, only to find hoards of people following him? His job as a "mom" was way harder than any mom I know. He had so many children, always wanting something, demanding, pleading, begging. He had to steal away just to find time to pray, I can only presume how difficult it must have been to find a moment of private for daily things like go to the bathroom.

Gosh my life is easy.

All of this to say, would you buy a home that didn't have a bathtub? Why or why not? I've put a poll up in my sidebar and would love to hear your thoughts. Yes you. Thanks!

Monday Morning

Did anyone notice? A couple of posts back, I mentioned I felt like a million bucks ? I was having a good hair day. I complain a LOT about my hair, and when it looks nice, I often say nothing. Would it seem like bragging if I proclaimed, "I look fabulous today?" The more humble approach would be: "I'm having a GREAT hair day." Either way, I really should say it more often.

Growing up, back before it was stated in such terms, I rarely had a good hair day. I do remember the terms, "Day 1" and "Day 2" girls being thrown around. In case you missed it, a Day 1 girl was one whose hair tended to be oily. Her hair looked best the first day it was washed. (Nobody but nobody washed their hair every day.) A Day 2 girl had dry hair that reacted strongly to shampoo, straining every direction in search of moisture. By the second or even third day, it would finally calm down a bit-just in time to wash it again.

I had incredibly curly hair. It was during the 70's and afros were big then. Very big! I think the real reason for their popularity is because products didn't exist that could tame or smooth tight curls. It was easier to go with the natural bend of hair. The bigger the better, the more the merrier. The only problem was my blonde hair and light skin didn't fit in with the rest of my afro sporting friends.


Nevermind. I forgot, there were a few of us that stood out.

He Said That?

I was talking to my son a few weeks ago. In case you don't recall, he & his wife are teachers in Seoul, Korea. The children are very interested in the daily life of their Western Teachers. One of the third graders had an important question for Christopher.

Student: "Teacher, how long have you been married?"
Christopher: "Two and a half years."
Student: "Why no baby? It only takes 1 year after you are married, then you have
to have a baby."

Christopher had to stop and think about this one. Before he could answer, the student continued, "you don't want to be a father?"

Christopher: "Not today little one, not today."

Interesting

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Colorado. It's days like this, I dream up any excuse to run to the store-just so I can drive my car. I don't like shopping at Whole Foods much, but they carry items other grocers don't. It was the perfect place to stop while out on a leisurely drive.

I didn't get too far through the produce department, when an older woman approached me.

"It's amazing we can get eat at all, with the prices so high." I turned and smiled. Before I could respond, she pushed her cart closer.

"The few things I buy, I want to eat them up as soon as I get home. I get so hungry shopping. Then I don't have any left." She looked me up and down, as if sizing me up, then continued, "You'd think we'd all lose weight-but I can see that we don't." Ouch. I believe I was included in that comment.

"And look at tsyou!" I was beginning to feel a wee bit self conscious. "Tsyou are dressed like it was summer." Her thick accent caused me to wonder if she was from Jersey. "You know, it is steell winter. That is how you get the flu. It may be nice now, but in a couple of hours, it will be cold. You will see." I could only nod.

"Now look at me," she said, pointing to her black wool coat, and then to her bright orange sweater. "You see these?" She asked, tugging at the fabric of her fleece pants. "I stayed up late last night making them from an old piece of fabric I had laying around." Her black pants didn't look new, and had quite a bit of cat hair entwined in the material.

"I just did a little of this, and a bit of that." As I examined her clothing, I noticed the tangerine colored sweater was hand knit. I remarked how beautiful it was." She smiled.

"I made it myself, and this too." She pointed to what looked like a daffodil yellow silk blouse, peeking out at her neckline. "You know, the clothes these days, aiya, they are so cheap and thin." I noticed her look me up and down again. Although my top was a bright coral color, it could certainly be considered flimsy. It is one I usually pull on in the morning, when I'm working around the house. Normally I change before going out, but today I didn't. I had my hair cut and colored last night and in spite of my flimsy shirt, I felt like a million bucks. Funny how a good hair day can do that.

"Oh, and let me show you something else." She took off her hat, which wasn't quite the orange of her sweater, more of a cantaloupe color. She turned the hat over to reveal the inside. I looked, but wasn't sure what I was supposed to see. It was tannish and tattered looking. "You see? It is a beret. But I painted it." I realized the beige areas were merely the former color where the paint hadn't reached. The paint had caused the hat to be stiff, but it fit well upon her head, like a perfectly puffed beret.

She ran her fingers through her white hair, trying to smooth it down. "I quit coloring my hair because I look good in white hair, don't you think?" She set the beret atop her head. "People are always asking me what I do with my time. I am creating fashion...clothing out of nothing, beautiful clothing and fashion...if only I could market..." Her voice trailed off as if she was deep in thought. My guess is she often wondered how she could make money from her fashions-from- nothing, but hadn't come up with the means yet.

"And thiz jacket, it used to have a zipper. But I could not close it anymore, so I took it out. And you know those long coats, this was like that, so I just shortened it. And see how good it fits?"

She bent down to show me her shoes. I'd never seen anything quite like them. They looked a bit like sneakers on 4 inch platforms. "Theze had none of this," motioning to the laced area,"I painted all of thiz." I told her she was certainly doing an amazing job of transforming things into unique, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces.

"Yes, yes," and with that, she began pushing her cart down the aisle, "I'll be seeing you." She waved. I wasn't sure what to think of this little lady. I went back to my shopping.

A few aisles later, I heard her talking to the man at the meat counter. I busied myself reading labels. A moment later, she passed me. Her mouth was full. "You just missed it. Some tasty meat samples back there." She kept walking. It was then that I began to wonder. Whole foods usually has lots of samples throughout the store. This little lady most likely counts this as a meal, devouring every sample she can get. Her way of supplementing her food budget. She certainly was resourceful. I couldn't help but wondered what had drawn her to speak to me. Besides my foolishness of not dressing properly, I think it was the the bright shirt, and stylin' hair. I didn't fit in with the usual crunchy granola clientele of the Natural Grocer.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

Is it Friday already? How does that happen? It's Sunday, I blink. It's Wednesday, then Friday. I think back to when I was in elementary school. Gosh the days were long. They ran into weeks and months. The school year seemed endless and summer so far away.

I remember being 5 years old. Kindergarten. My very first teacher, Mrs. Preston was old, very old. It wasn't because I was so little either. Her face was adorned with soft wrinkles and creases formed at the edges of her mouth, when she smiled. Silver strands of hair were pulled back tightly, to form a perfectly round bun. Mrs. Preston would walk up and down the rows of desks, inspecting each child's work-usually a picture or drawing. Peering up at her through thick spectacles, her eyes seemed enormous, yet gentle. I knew my teacher must be a hundred years old.

My favorite part of the day was snack time. I don't really remember a snack, but I do recall bringing a nickel every day to purchase a carton of milk to drink. We stood in two straight lines, boys in one, girls in the other. We'd wait for the school janitor to come and open the milk machine. He was a large man who wore drab brown pants and a a shirt just as plain. Attached to his belt, he had the biggest set of keys I'd ever seen. He jingled when he walked down the long concrete corridors. The coins in his pocket clinked too.

I didn't usually see him as he twisted and turned the keys, but I could hear them. I did my best to follow the rule of standing perfectly still in a straight line. Being the second to the shortest in my class, only Doug was shorter, I could only see the back of the head in front of me. It was almost always a girl with long, silky hair-unlike my own that was short and curly.

The door would clank open and out wafted the scent of wet, cardboard milk cartons. I loved that smell. After handing over my nickel, I was given a red container of whole milk and a paper straw. I carried my straw carefully. If it was bumped or bent, it stayed pinched, making it nearly impossible to suck milk through it. Mrs. Preston did not allow for wastefulness. I was afraid to ask for a second one, if the first was ruined. I only did twice, when I'd received a defective one. On the occasions where I'd been careless, I did not. Instead, I'd push my straw as far down into the milk as it would go, tip the carton and suck as hard and fast as I could. It would have been improper and too crude to pick up the carton and drink from it.

I loved nearly everything about school that first year, even the very long walk home. There was only one exception-being picked to be the sunshine. Each morning, after saying the Pledge Of Allegiance, we sang 2 songs. The first was almost always a patriotic song. Then came Good Morning Sunshine. Before singing Mrs. Preston picked a child to stand in front of the class. She'd place a bright yellow sun, cut from construction paper, around the child's face. I was very shy and never, ever wanted to be the shining star, as every child stared and sang, "Good Morning little sunshine, how are you today..."

Each day I silently pray, "please God, let her pick someone else, don't let her see me," and I'd stare at the ground until she called a child's name. Most days, my prayer was answered. A few times God must not have heard me. As soon as the ring of paper was around my face, I could feel the warmth. I knew my face must be glowing red, as it felt on fire. I tried hard not to see the faces as the singing grew louder. The song seemed to last forever and before it was over, hot tears stung my eyes.

A moment that lasted a lifetime. And now a lifetime seems but a moment ago. I have flashbacks of those moments in Kindergarten where I sweat profusely. Nobody sings the Good Morning Little Sunshine Song, and others call them hot flashes, but the burning feels the same. Next year, I'll be 5 again, followed by a big round circle. I'll pretend it's the yellow sun and wear it for all to see.

Tuesday Truths

Ah, I needed an excuse to blog. So here it is: Ten Truths, but one is a Lie
(Answer at the end.)

1. One of my daughter's surprised me this week with this:

2. I want to get my belly button pierced.

3. I love temporary tatoos.

4. Another daughter surprised me with this a week ago:

5. I don't have a single tatoo.

6. I love temporary peircings.

7. I've wanted a tatoo since I was 16.

8. I had my ears double pierced, but it was so painful, I let the second holes close up.

9. Belly button piercing hurts, according to the one in the above photo.

10. I'm wearing red boots.

Christopher was right. I have NEVER wanted my belly pierced, not even once.


And these are my red boots. (Even though they look brown here.)

Lose Those Extra Pounds

With the national debt and out-of-control government spending sky-rocketing every day, I wonder how much money is wasted on research. I read an article today declaring, "Getting tonsils out tied to kids' weight gain." This research was gathered from 9 different studies spanning a 40 year period.

Scientists aren't sure why this happens, but believe that this surgery might be contributing to childhood obesity.

Really? The article reports a couple of theories as to why children have a greater-than-expected weight gain following a tonsillectomy. I have my own theory, not mentioned in the report.

Is it possible, that most-or at least the majority of children getting their tonsils out were sick a lot? When children are sick, have fevers/infection, and a painful, swollen throat, most likely they are not eating as much as they would when healthy. The weight gain is most likely a normal catching up from being ill.

Recently, my mother-in-law asked me about my favorite comfort food. I wasn't sure exactly what she meant. She mentioned that when her children were under the weather, she cooked them soft boiled eggs. She associates soft boiled eggs as especially comforting when her stomach is off.

I tried to remember if my mom prepared special food for me, when I was sick. I couldn't think of anything. I didn't get sick much. When I was sick, eating was the last thing on my mind. Quite possibly, my body needed a break from the digestion process in order to expend its energy attacking the invading germs. The best healing came not from comfort food, but from fasting.

I really shouldn't knock this kind of research. I should embrace their theory that states, "when children have enlarged tonsils, they're spending more energy (calories) to breathe. Once they're removed, breathing is easier and uses less calories." Weight gain would then ensue.

I had my tonsils out when I was 15.

That is the real reason I am overweight.

I wonder if I can get the government to fund a study to test this theory. Does expending more energy on breathing cause weight loss? I could begin running, or exercising, forcing me to gasp for air. I might lose weight. And I'd have asthma to thank for shedding those pounds.

If They Could Just Stay Little

I wish I had little kids. The news announced that tomorrow will be a snow day. I loved the glee & excitement a snow day produced on the faces of my children. Squeals of delight, laughter, and celebration always followed the "snow day" announcement. Typically, the kids had to wait until 6:00 a.m. to know whether or not they had a day off of school. Today, they announced it early for tomorrow. It wasn't because of anticipated snow as much as the subzero temperatures.

But I didn't get to experience the fun of sharing this exciting news with anyone. Instead, I get a text message from the college Hilary attends with the following:

"CSUPD is investigating an unspecified and currently unsubstantiated general threat to campus. As a precaution, please be vigilant when on campus today and report anything or anyone suspicious to CSUPD immediately by calling 911." 9:00a.m.

At 1:00 p.m., "CSUPD continues to work with the FBI to determine the validity of the threat made to campus earlier today. Law enforcement officials do not believe there is a present or imminent threat to campus at this time. However, CSUPD and the Public Safety Team remind you to always be vigilant about your surroundings and report anything suspicious by calling 911."

I used to think it was fun, watching my kids get older. I'm not so sure anymore.

Blessed

Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits,


The God of our salvation!


Selah

Busy Day

I didn't realize I could move so fast in the morning. It's been awhile since I had to jump out of bed and be on my game. Guess who spent the night?


His trucks were stacked neatly.

He had a bubble bath in Gramma's tub.

Before going to bed, he realized he'd forgotten his baseball, bat, and glove. He called his mom to complain. She interpreted for me.

Bright and early, we went to Walmart today to buy a bat and ball.

Grandpa, who works from home, was on a conference call and needed it quiet, so it didn't take much for Ethan to talk me into Good Times for lunch.

Ethan watches a lot of baseball. He knows it takes an entire afternoon for the pros to play, so why would we cut ours short? He coerced his Aunt El to join our baseball team. No matter how many times she asked if she could take a turn batting, Ethan would only allow her be the catcher. She had to wear an imaginary catcher's mask and squat like a pro. It was important to Ethan that she keep that mask off the top of her head. Not that she ever pretended to move it, but he must have envisioned her acting like a real catcher. After every swing, Ethan gently reminded her by reaching over with his pincher fingers and sliding it down her face. The boy has quite the imagination.

I wish I'd been able to make a video of the entire scene. I laughed so hard. But once he places a cap on my head, I'm recruited and have to keep my game on. I'm not allowed to do anything else.

Hollywood

Took a stroll down Hollywood's Walk of Fame today.


Boy did we see some sights!


These pictures don't depict the crowds and craziness that we experienced.



My sister, Carolyn & I, enjoyed people watching.



After the walk, we planned to find the famous HOLLYWOOD sign.




While taking in the sights, Michael glanced across the street. Lo and behold, peeking out between the floors, there it stood.

Having a grand adventure!

Love Hate Relationships

I hate it when I feel like I can't complete a thought. As sometimes happens, I've created many posts which sit unfinished in my saved box. I hate that. (Did I say that already?)

Other things I hate:
Getting my haircut. (That's all I'm going to say.)

Leaving on a trip and last minute packing, because I my laundry isn't finished.

My sister having a layover in Denver, spending the day with her, but not getting one, single, stinkin' picture.

Things I love:
Watching...


this little boy,


Play baseball,


Pitching like a pro,


And stopping to enjoy a bit of snow off of his baseball bat.

January 13, 2011

Today is a big day. A day of adventure, a day of good-byes. As we speak, Sarabeth is packing a few forgotten and last minute additions to her already overstuffed bag. She's rather quiet, but then so am I. We both know when the conversation turns to leaving for the airport, the good-byes will begin, & so will the tears.

Great Britian/England. My grandmother's family is from England. Living in London should cause Sarabeth to feel like she's returned to her roots.


My mom and dad drove up last week to give Sarabeth a set of hot pink luggage for her trip. They didn't want her suitcase getting lost. That happened to Lauren when she flew to France for a semester in Paris. Lauren's bag didn't arrive for 13 days. Thirteen Days! She didn't even have a change of clothing. Sarabeth took lots of extra stuff in her carry-on. Just in case her bright colored bag disappeared for a few days.

(What a creeper! Maybe not the best place to stand, lol. We stopped to take this at the airport in almost the same place as one of our pics with Christopher and Lauren when they went to korea.)

Sarabeth will visit with her British Relatives (second cousins once, or is it twice removed?) who live "across the pond." These are the children of my grandmothers first cousin. If my grandmother was alive today, we'd be celebrating her birthday. She would have been 101 years old today. Seems like an appropriate day to fly to London.

Have a wonderful Adventure, Sarabeth. We love you!

Top Ten...err..Four

Thursday's "You Capture" photography assignment was to post your top 10 photos for 2009. I started to browse through photos and pick ones that made me smile. It was fun to look back through and remember the events of the year. Sadly, for many I didn't have any great photos to mark those occasions. Lots of mediocre and not-so-good ones, but none that were outstanding.

Ethan and water go together like green grass and sunshine.


I love flowers, and orange!


The beach...no explanation needed.


I don't love these critters, but it was a fun trip to San Diego with Michael.

This years photos will be different. I believe I will take a photography class. I think I HAVE to take one. Michael bought me a new camera and I can't wait to take amazing photos. But I realize the camera alone won't produce them if the operator doesn't know how to use it. That's like buying the best oven out there, but if you don't know how to cook, a gourmet meal isn't going to magically pop out of it.

Looking Back And Forward

I was looking back at last January. I laughed when I read this on my blog:

I doubt I'll ever be a world traveler, sampling exotic foods. I won't be going to fancy shmancy restaurants to entice my taste buds with enchanting new delicacies. It isn't happening. So I can't be expected to have a clue about such culinary delights. (Remember that when dining at my home.)

In March, when we literally travel around the world, I suspect we will be sampling many exotic foods. To get an idea, I perused my son and daughter-in-laws blog. I swiped a couple pics of some dishes they've made at home in their tiny apartment.

Aren't these gorgeous?


How exciting is this? My food blog could take on a whole new look. This trip will be the adventure I never thought I'd take.

I can promise you, though, I am not nearly as courageous as Christopher & Lauren. I enjoy trying new cuisines, but I will not be taste testing all dishes.

Christopher mentioned that the eyes of these got stuck between his teeth.

I saw videos of creatures moving on sticks. They quit moving once dipped in hot oil, but I think I'll pass.


I doubt I could choke down anything with eyes either. But it will be a grand adventure!


When dining at my home, don't expect to see anything this exotic...but maybe Lauren will teach me how to make one of her creations.

Monday Morning Merriment

1. Seven hours of sleep! (Which required sleeping until 10:30 a.m.)
2. Remembering last Sunday morning. I snuggled with a sweet 8 year old, who snuck in my bed.
3. The sun is shining.
4. Slowing, sipping peppermint coffee, savoring the moment.
5. Seeing snow sparkling in the sunlight.

(And apparently I can't remember that it is 2011. I knew I'd posted this, but I didn't see it. Then I found it back in January of 2010)

A Happy New Year To You

Today is the first day of 2011. Instead of my usual recap of the previous year or a list of New Years Resolutions, I'm choosing to look ahead to what this year will bring. I am not a big planner, so was surprised to see events on the calendar.

In January:

My parents are coming to visit.

In 13 days, Sarabeth heads off to London.

My sister has a layover, so I'll get to see her.

Michael's sister arrives.

In 20 days, Michael and I fly to California to visit my other sister.

The rest of the year looks similar. Trips & getting together with family.

Why do I have the feeling that I'm about to be hit by a few curve balls also? I was never good at dodge ball, so I hope they aren't pitched too fast or too hard. I'm okay if it is a wild ride. I do enjoy rollercoasters.

Let It Snow

If the temperature is really going to drop, I say "Let it snow!" I realize other areas have experienced lots of the white stuff lately. We have not. We are in a drought from lack of snowfall. I washed my car yesterday, hoping to ensure the snow will actually fall.

In other news, Michael and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday. I read that the modern day gift for the 27th is a sculpture. We didn't exchange gifts. Instead of presents for Christmas, Anniversary, & birthdays this year, we are taking a trip. We're putting on our adventure pants and flying around the world. Literally.

In an effort to make my birthday a big celebration, Michael booked our trip the day before my birthday this year. He figured it would be wonderful to be in Seoul, S. Korea with Christopher & Lauren. I'll never have another birthday quite like it. It will be my shortest birthday ever.

I noticed on the calendar, we "spring ahead" to daylight savings time at 2:00 a.m. on my birthday. I won't even notice. Just before my fellow Denverites jump ahead, losing an hour of sleep, I will have crossed several time zones and be disembarking on another continent. I will have spent the first half hour of my birthday on the airplane. The last 7 1/2 hours will be spent in Korea. My birthday will be shortened to 8 hours or 1/3 of a normal day. So I don't feel cheated, I'm not sleeping a wink on my birthday. I'm staying awake the entire 8 hours.

To make it all of the way around the world, Michael and I are flying home via London to visit Sarabeth-author of Adventure Pants. I hope when we return, I can still fit into mine.

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Except for the color of his hair,


He hasn't changed a bit, over the years.


Okay, maybe just a wee bit.


He is much more distinguished looking!

He is kinder, gentler, more tender-hearted. Like fine wine, he has mellowed with age. He is wise & compassionate, yet strong & courageous. He is level-headed & keeps his cool when faced with difficult and stressful situations. He is fun & funny. I love his sense of humor and his laugh.

To my darling, I love you! Happy 57th Birthday.

Where Are You Christmas?

Up late again last night with, "Donde Esta Santa Claus" song stuck in my head:

I know that I should be sleeping,
But maybe he's not far away,
Out of the window I'm peeping,
Hoping to see him in his sleigh.

Or maybe it was the Champagne...it had a LOT of bubbles.

We sat around the kitchen table, clinking our glasses & sharing memories of Michael's Dad. It was one year ago, that he left this earth for a better place. I laughed so hard I cried. Or was it the other way around?

Or maybe it was the Champagne...it had a LOT of bubbles.

Last summer, for Grandpa's 86th birthday, I made a slideshow for him. We watched the scenes from the previous years spent with us unfold. I smiled with joy reliving so many great times, I got teary-eyed remembering.

Or maybe it was the Champagne...it had a LOT of bubbles.

It was a lovely evening, in the midst of the busy season. When we finished, as I do every year, I went to my bedroom, closed the door, and got busy wrapping, while listening to Christmas music. That was when the song got stuck in my head.

Or maybe it was the Champagne...it had a LOT of bubbles.