Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Happy Birthday Elena!

Can you tell how exctied she is to be having cake for breakfast? :)
We had a family party on Sunday, but this morning she got to eat one of the last pieces of her cake.
The other piece will be for her this afternoon! :)

Elena is sweet!
That is the word that describes her--among many others like, curious, nature-loving, caring, friendly, respectful...the list can go on and on--
BUT, since the day she was born we knew that Sweet! Was the word for her. :)

Nine years ago right now, I was in a lot of PAIN!--she was born right before The View came on. LOL
10:57.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Basketball and nails





I remember the night I went into labor with Elena I {very calmly} painted my nails a bright coral color.  I di dthe whole manicure!  I mean cuticles etc.  Then the two coats of polish, and the top clear coat...just to pass the time away.  While I did nails, Andy watched basketball.  We won some big tournament that year..UNC did...
That was nine years ago! Today we had a little party for Elena, her actual birthday is Tuesday, and she will be nine years old, but the day of labor --was the 24th! :)   Now she is doing nails with me!  We just sat and had a whole manicure station with the nail art kit she asked for for her birthday. :)   Right now, Andy is watching basketball...
We are having basketball and nail art fun!

Friday, March 21, 2014

My Mama is a Poet...

...and I am not!
BUT, I will say that even though I suffer having a poem of desperation on my heart, I can value
that the poetry needs to escape.
Although I cannot write the poem, I can appreciate the one I need at any given moment.
I have perfected the one that is necessary for new parents--that will draw the tears bursting to be shed...
I can read the one she typed for me to keep on my refridgerator to read when I am mired down in the drudgery  and boredom of life, to remind me that, drudgery and samedom is a big part of what life is all about.
I think that poetry is in the genes, and the appreciation of poetry is found among those of us who know we need it, but are unable to necessarily create it!
Appreciation of an art is to be admired in this case!
You see, when I was growing up, my mama would just quote this stuff to us...and I would think, "she is off her rocker," and I woudl ask her, please tell me what this means...
Then she would.  It can be quite alarming to hear your mother tell of the boredom and frustration of her life via poetry, and still know that she loves you more than anything.  It is also the kind of honesty that all mothers should be able to impart on their youth!  
Ojala que un dia de estos ya tenga yo dinero y un rato (largo) para irme con mis hijos y me esposo a un rincon del mundo que escojo yo!   Ojala que tenga yo la oportunidad de escaparme --solo un ratito para adventura!
And looking at everyone else's fun on facebook, is like salt in the wound, for real.
My philospophy on {jealousy} fails me in moments of true hormonal weakness!
I would like to link back to my philosophy on Jealousy here, but since I did not tag my posts, I am not able.
It is a rather, Pick yourself up by your bootstraps mentality, though.
When I am at my weakest, however, I just resort to crying in my shower. ;).
AND then.. I count my blessings!
My Mama is a poet!
My sister is my best friend!
My husband takes care of me!
My children are dears!
My dogs don't shit on the rug...{very often}.
My washing machine works!
I love to exercise!
That is what I have, for now...(and my {kitty} stashed away...)

Friday, March 14, 2014

Someone is turning seven....

Tis the season....
For baseball..
and birthdays...
and hopefully some warmer weather!
So, seven years ago tonight....I was as big around as a barrel!
Isn't it funny that that is the part I always remember...
ACC tournament, labor, wind, storms, labor, ...
I love you Victor!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Something special...

This little plant just decided to bloom this past week!  This is the first bloom we have seen in five or six years. :)  I have no idea what kind of plant it is...when I bought it, going on 10 years ago, it was a teeny little plant at Whole Foods.  It was a bargain, and it was so cute in a little pot.  It has hung around ever since! :)  Maybe things in the yard will take the hint.. ;)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

I found...

...something SO good to watch.
Melissa, Bethany, this is for you!
It is called, "Call the midwife"  It is a British show.  I was on Netflix and they recommended this for me.
Oh my! --It is the same kind of good as "Downton Abbey"  
The filming is beautiful!
The stories are just enthralling.
It is the story of a midwife in Post World War II England--she lives in a Convent with some nuns and other midwives.  The midwives are in their early twenties.  
The area they work is the East End of London, which apparently is the place where the poor live, and the where the immigrants live when they arrive etc.
So, the newest season comes on PBS March 30th, but if you hurry, you can watch seasons one and two on Netflix so you will be all caught up.
I watched two seasons in the matter of one week--That is how good this show is.
Now, for season three--I am going to stick to watching it on the tele, as I need my TV rationed out for me. 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Top O the Mornin To ye!

It is Saturday morning and we are all up bright and early.
6:00 AM to be exact.
Usually we have pancakes a la Andy on Saturdays in the morning, and they are cooked at around 9:00 Am, but yesterday I stopped at the yummy bakery and picked up bakery treats.  Can you see Eva's face?  true to mothering odds--she did not like hers. ;).  --before she even tried it she knew!
We had one Cinnamon Roll, one Chocolate Croisant, and one nutella tart!  
So, while I was laying in the bed with Eva and Victor--where we all convene on Saturday mornings with two dogs to boot--we had the strangest conversations--led by the wandering thoughts of children.
First off, Victor:  --from his bedroom, before he even got up..."Hey mama, one time I found a dime at Food Lion and another time I found one at McDonald's.
Eva:  Mama--I don't care if I find a dime, because I just like pennies better, anyway.
Eva:  Why did God make us have eyes?  And.. why does he make them so they see?
Me:  I do not know the answer to that Eva, except to say that God made everything, and he made it all happen just the way he wanted.  Isn't that amazing?
Victor:  If I had a really big loom, like this big (gesture)--he was now lying beside of me snuggling--I could make longer bracelets and I would not have to add parts at the end. 
Me:  I hear the dogs at the door, I think they want to come in...
Eva:  Okay Mama I will go and get them real quick.
Eva:  --gesturing with her hands:  Mama--this is my little magic sparkle ball--giggle, giggle..
Elena came in at some point too, and I think she was laughing at Prissy b/c Prissy was standing on her hind legs like an otter and we were calling her a "dotter".
That is the morning before seven A.M. AND it is so sweet!
I have not even had my coffee yet!
I just really want to hold on to some of these memories and conversations that one can only have with a group of children under twelve. ;).  

Spot on!

Spot is our family's chihuahua.  He is what we call, "an evil dictator/stuffed animal come to life".  Sometimes, after he has ...