... too tired to blog... will write soon...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
PS
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Best Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic
last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing
home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who
can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his
student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same
spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the
store aisle s and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will
be the last year that they go shopping together .
Heavenly Father , remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the
greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we
hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all
humanity.. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience,
empathy and love.
Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is
out of this world
last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing
home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who
can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his
student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same
spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the
store aisle s and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will
be the last year that they go shopping together .
Heavenly Father , remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the
greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we
hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all
humanity.. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience,
empathy and love.
Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is
out of this world
Monday, December 24, 2007
Happy Anniversary
How have 365 days elapsed? Has it really happened? How did we get here?
Some may think that today is Christmas Eve. To me, it is so much more than that. Today is the one year anniversary of when Dong Fang Yang Yang was placed in my arms in Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
In so many ways it started out like a normal day. The four of us were together. We had been waiting so long for our daughter. It almost didn't seem real.
We took a bus to the Civil Affairs Office. We entered this large room with beautiful woodend carved chairs. There were already a few babies in the room waiting for their families. Yang Yang was not there... yet.
Ten to fifteen minutes passed. Into the room came 4 harried women with a slew of babies. Each baby was dressed in a gorgeous red brocade outfit. Some were crying. Some were playing. Some were taking in the strange people who started to gather around them. I couldn't pick her out of the group. Jerry knew immediately. He recognized her amazing lips... so round and full of life.
Yang Yang had three little pig tails in her hair. I approached the woman with her and asked if it was Dong Fang Yang Yang. She nodded yes. SHe then pointed to me and said, "Mama"?. I said yes, and started to well up. I was able to greet Yang Yang from across a coffee table. I handed her some toy keys to play with. She didn't cry, took the keys and watched me with interest. We took some priceless pictures of her.
It seemed like forever before they started the ritual of calling names, checking papers and uniting families.
I don't think there is anything in the world like the first time you hold your baby. It doesn't matter if it is through birth or adoption. Feeling your baby in your arms. Smelling the sweet baby scent. Touching skin softer than you ever felt before. All of your senses alive... mmmmm It all comes flooding back.
Dong Fang Yang Yang became Madeline Yang on that day in China. She met her parents, brothers and aunt. She was brave. She was smart. She was more alive and vivid than I could have ever imagined.
The past year has brought us blessings we could never have dreamed of.
Happy Gotcha Day, Miss M.
You are loved.
You are respected.
You are a precious, precious miracle.
-- the third miracle.... who could ask for anything more.
Some may think that today is Christmas Eve. To me, it is so much more than that. Today is the one year anniversary of when Dong Fang Yang Yang was placed in my arms in Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
In so many ways it started out like a normal day. The four of us were together. We had been waiting so long for our daughter. It almost didn't seem real.
We took a bus to the Civil Affairs Office. We entered this large room with beautiful woodend carved chairs. There were already a few babies in the room waiting for their families. Yang Yang was not there... yet.
Ten to fifteen minutes passed. Into the room came 4 harried women with a slew of babies. Each baby was dressed in a gorgeous red brocade outfit. Some were crying. Some were playing. Some were taking in the strange people who started to gather around them. I couldn't pick her out of the group. Jerry knew immediately. He recognized her amazing lips... so round and full of life.
Yang Yang had three little pig tails in her hair. I approached the woman with her and asked if it was Dong Fang Yang Yang. She nodded yes. SHe then pointed to me and said, "Mama"?. I said yes, and started to well up. I was able to greet Yang Yang from across a coffee table. I handed her some toy keys to play with. She didn't cry, took the keys and watched me with interest. We took some priceless pictures of her.
It seemed like forever before they started the ritual of calling names, checking papers and uniting families.
I don't think there is anything in the world like the first time you hold your baby. It doesn't matter if it is through birth or adoption. Feeling your baby in your arms. Smelling the sweet baby scent. Touching skin softer than you ever felt before. All of your senses alive... mmmmm It all comes flooding back.
Dong Fang Yang Yang became Madeline Yang on that day in China. She met her parents, brothers and aunt. She was brave. She was smart. She was more alive and vivid than I could have ever imagined.
The past year has brought us blessings we could never have dreamed of.
Happy Gotcha Day, Miss M.
You are loved.
You are respected.
You are a precious, precious miracle.
-- the third miracle.... who could ask for anything more.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Can it be too busy?
Okay, I know the holiday season is busy but this is ridiculous.
First, yes I still have some gifts to buy.
Second, I have not bought all of the food needed for Christmas dinner.
Third, we have three parties this weekend. The one tonight has a gift exchange which I have not shopped for.
Fourth, the day after Christmas I have a doctor appointment. Jerry and I guys have a b-ball game scheduled... oh yea, and we leave for the cruise on the 27th. When do I pack?
Fifth, the cable guy is due her today at the same time I am supposed to be at my mother's house to back cookies... and Jerry got called in to work. I am not really sure how I am going to pull this one off.
Sixth, ummm... I wrapped like a fool the other night.. not done.
Seventh, everyone was up late last night. Hence, everyone is grouchy. Nap time anyone? Oh yea... that is during the cookie time. Cross your fingers that Miss M cooperates and sleeps at Nana's house.
Eight... ummm festive holiday drink anyone???
I need a list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and more time.
Happy Holidays.
First, yes I still have some gifts to buy.
Second, I have not bought all of the food needed for Christmas dinner.
Third, we have three parties this weekend. The one tonight has a gift exchange which I have not shopped for.
Fourth, the day after Christmas I have a doctor appointment. Jerry and I guys have a b-ball game scheduled... oh yea, and we leave for the cruise on the 27th. When do I pack?
Fifth, the cable guy is due her today at the same time I am supposed to be at my mother's house to back cookies... and Jerry got called in to work. I am not really sure how I am going to pull this one off.
Sixth, ummm... I wrapped like a fool the other night.. not done.
Seventh, everyone was up late last night. Hence, everyone is grouchy. Nap time anyone? Oh yea... that is during the cookie time. Cross your fingers that Miss M cooperates and sleeps at Nana's house.
Eight... ummm festive holiday drink anyone???
I need a list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and more time.
Happy Holidays.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thinking of Having Kids?
Do this 15 step program first!
Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to the grocery store's head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Relax, and read it for the last time!
Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding,sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.
Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound)playing loudly (decible 36 will do). (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together:)
Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there.
ALL SUMMER!
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?
Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out
Time allowed for this - all morning.
Lesson 6
1. Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.
2. Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece of aluminum foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle.
3. Last, take a mile carton, a ping pong ball and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Lesson 7
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Lesson 8
1. Get ready to go out.
2. Sit on the floor of your bathroom reading pictures books for half an hour.
3. Go out the front door.
4. Come in again. Go out.
5. Come back in.
6. Go out.
7. Walk down the front path.
8. Walk back up it.
9. Walk down it again.
10. Walk very slowly down the sidewalk for five minutes.
11. Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way.
12. Retrace your steps.
13. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.
14. Give up and go back into the house. You are just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Lesson 9
Repeat everything you have learned at least(if not more than) five times.
Lesson 10
Go to the grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can to find to a preschool child. (A full grown goat is also excellent) If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your weeks worth of groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not contemplate having children.
Lesson 11
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a spoon full of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half just throw int eh air.
You are now ready to feed a nine-month old baby.
Lesson 12
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street, Barney, Disney, Teletubbies, THe Wiggles and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, Disney channel, or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you are thinking What's Noggin?) Exactly the point.
Lesson 13
Move to the tropics. Find or make a compost pile. Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it. Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.
Lesson 14
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying "mommy" repeatedly. (Important: No more than a four second delay between each mommy, occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required.) Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Lesson 15
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug your skirt hem, shirt sleeve or elbow while playing the "mommy" tape made from Lesson 14 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to the grocery store's head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Relax, and read it for the last time!
Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding,sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.
Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound)playing loudly (decible 36 will do). (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together:)
Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there.
ALL SUMMER!
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?
Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out
Time allowed for this - all morning.
Lesson 6
1. Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.
2. Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece of aluminum foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle.
3. Last, take a mile carton, a ping pong ball and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Lesson 7
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Lesson 8
1. Get ready to go out.
2. Sit on the floor of your bathroom reading pictures books for half an hour.
3. Go out the front door.
4. Come in again. Go out.
5. Come back in.
6. Go out.
7. Walk down the front path.
8. Walk back up it.
9. Walk down it again.
10. Walk very slowly down the sidewalk for five minutes.
11. Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way.
12. Retrace your steps.
13. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.
14. Give up and go back into the house. You are just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Lesson 9
Repeat everything you have learned at least(if not more than) five times.
Lesson 10
Go to the grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can to find to a preschool child. (A full grown goat is also excellent) If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your weeks worth of groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not contemplate having children.
Lesson 11
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a spoon full of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half just throw int eh air.
You are now ready to feed a nine-month old baby.
Lesson 12
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street, Barney, Disney, Teletubbies, THe Wiggles and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, Disney channel, or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you are thinking What's Noggin?) Exactly the point.
Lesson 13
Move to the tropics. Find or make a compost pile. Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it. Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.
Lesson 14
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying "mommy" repeatedly. (Important: No more than a four second delay between each mommy, occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required.) Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Lesson 15
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug your skirt hem, shirt sleeve or elbow while playing the "mommy" tape made from Lesson 14 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Thank Heaven for Little Girls
I have to tell you how much fun I am having with Madeline. It is SOOOOO nice to have some more Estrogen in our family this year. It is great! She has certainly completed our family in ways we could have never imagined. Jerry and I will sit and watch her in awe. The boys don't hesitate to kiss her or give her a gentle rub on the head as they go by. The three miracles have bonded as siblings. They know who they are as a unit. They know who they are as our children. They have a calmness (when they aren't trying to kill each other...) about their interactions that is intoxicating.
Things I am loving:
1. Tights on cold days!! There is nothing cuter than chunky baby thighs in tights on a cold day.
2. Dresses and skirts. Okay, having little cute dresses and skirts to dress Madeline in is so much fun! Cuteness overload!!
3. SHOES! (Need I say more???)
4. Cute little hair thingys. Now, personally, for my hair, if it isn't a scrunchy or a head band I don't know what to do. For some reason I have figured out how to do so much more with Madeline's hair. I have clip things, pony tail holders, barrettes, and more. I actually have a hair stuff container just for Miss M.!
5. No penis... enough said.
6. Long hair...mmmm it is so wonderful.. long, shiny, raven hair ... beautiful!!
7. Girl time We have not had the chance to have much of that yet... but I can't wait.
Having Madeline in our lives has been such a gift. A year ago today we were bumming around Beijing waiting for a chance to fly to Nanchang to meet our girl. I am guessing that is why I am so reminiscent today. I am thinking about how our travels took us to the other side of the world to bring home MY daughter. She is everything and more... She is smart, beautiful, quirky, funny, energetic, daring, loving and more.
I love you Miss M.!!
Things I am loving:
1. Tights on cold days!! There is nothing cuter than chunky baby thighs in tights on a cold day.
2. Dresses and skirts. Okay, having little cute dresses and skirts to dress Madeline in is so much fun! Cuteness overload!!
3. SHOES! (Need I say more???)
4. Cute little hair thingys. Now, personally, for my hair, if it isn't a scrunchy or a head band I don't know what to do. For some reason I have figured out how to do so much more with Madeline's hair. I have clip things, pony tail holders, barrettes, and more. I actually have a hair stuff container just for Miss M.!
5. No penis... enough said.
6. Long hair...mmmm it is so wonderful.. long, shiny, raven hair ... beautiful!!
7. Girl time We have not had the chance to have much of that yet... but I can't wait.
Having Madeline in our lives has been such a gift. A year ago today we were bumming around Beijing waiting for a chance to fly to Nanchang to meet our girl. I am guessing that is why I am so reminiscent today. I am thinking about how our travels took us to the other side of the world to bring home MY daughter. She is everything and more... She is smart, beautiful, quirky, funny, energetic, daring, loving and more.
I love you Miss M.!!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Your Christmas Present!
My dear friends,
Christmas is going to be a little tight this year. So,
I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts.
Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree
that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've
included the instructions below.
How to make bedroom slippers:
You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.
Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most
aesthetically appealing), etc.
These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand
Bags.
I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the
nifty slippers for yourself....
Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each
one of you.
Riley is READY for Christmas
Let me tell you... this boy is about ready to burst at the seams. He is BEYOND excited. This is the first year where Riley really gets all of this Santa stuff. He has said so many priceless things that have just filled our hearts with laughter.
We can't get enough of him singing "Saucy the Snowman". I can just picture the big frozen guy sitting down tossing back a few. It absolutely cracks me up.
Riley will tell us daily that he is trying to be nice and not naughty. He runs into the house after school and tells us that he is still on the nice list since he had a good day. Cute, cute, cute.
Riley is in love with the Christmas lights. He turns them on outside every evening. If someone else does he is just devastated. He also has to be the one to turn on the Christmas tree lights. We have been trying to explain to him that others want to turn the lights on too. Sharing helps with the nice and naughty list too. Because of this James has been able to turn the lights on ... once.
Riley has just loved Christmas shopping. He giggles and smiles all the way through. He thinks it is the best to be able to pick out a gift and wrap it. (I think that is a lot of fun, too.)
Riley has already informed us that James is responsible for waking him up on Christmas morning. He said this is the job of a big brother. Personally, I never knew this job was on the big brother list. So, this information is pretty handy.
I am sure there are so many other things I could add to this post, but to see my son so full of excitement just is the best feeling in the world.
I love that crazy, little guy.
We can't get enough of him singing "Saucy the Snowman". I can just picture the big frozen guy sitting down tossing back a few. It absolutely cracks me up.
Riley will tell us daily that he is trying to be nice and not naughty. He runs into the house after school and tells us that he is still on the nice list since he had a good day. Cute, cute, cute.
Riley is in love with the Christmas lights. He turns them on outside every evening. If someone else does he is just devastated. He also has to be the one to turn on the Christmas tree lights. We have been trying to explain to him that others want to turn the lights on too. Sharing helps with the nice and naughty list too. Because of this James has been able to turn the lights on ... once.
Riley has just loved Christmas shopping. He giggles and smiles all the way through. He thinks it is the best to be able to pick out a gift and wrap it. (I think that is a lot of fun, too.)
Riley has already informed us that James is responsible for waking him up on Christmas morning. He said this is the job of a big brother. Personally, I never knew this job was on the big brother list. So, this information is pretty handy.
I am sure there are so many other things I could add to this post, but to see my son so full of excitement just is the best feeling in the world.
I love that crazy, little guy.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
My First Meme
I was tagged by my good friends' sister who I LOVE to read. Here is the game....
Rules:
Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
Share Christmas facts about yourself.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Here it is... read it and weep.
1. Wrapping or gift bags? Okay, now I am sure the folks that receive gifts from me would prefer a gift bag after witnessing the car wreck known as my wrapping skills.. but I believe that if the good Lord blessed me with this horrible wrapping abilty than it is my duty to share it.
2. Real or artificial tree? We bought an artificial tree last year. We did it for a few reasons. One- I wanted to put up a tree even though we were traveling in December. I wanted the tree left up with gifts under the tree waiting for Madeline. So, we bought an artificial tree. Two- real trees are EXPENSIVE!! We were spending about $100 on a tree. I just wasn't liking the big bucks going out like that.
3. When do you put up the tree? -either Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after. My family always put it up Thanksgiving weekend, so that is where I tend to lean.
4. When do you take the tree down? We are supposed to take it down? I was planning on putting hearts on it for February, shamrocks for March, Easter Eggs for April, raindrops for May, flowers for June, firecrackers for July, beach umbrellas for August, books for September, ghosts for October and my husband for November. (PS... I take it down when I remember it is still up and am worried that people will start mocking me! HA!)
5. Do you like eggnog? Eggnog is a bad word.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Barbi Townhouse was my favorite gift. It ROCKED!!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yup... a neigbor gave it to me as a gift. I love it!!
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? pots and pans.... no loving for Jerry for a while after that one! haha
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mailed...umm but I haven't sent them in the past few years do to all of the drama.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? -probably Elf and A Christmas Story. I still want a Red Rider Rifle... though I do worry about shooting my eye out.
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? tomorrow??? Actually I don't normally start until right around Thanksgiving. It is then a mad, panic dash to 12/25
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Decorated sugar cookies.. and.. umm... nope, that is my fave.
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? This changes regularly. This year they are clear. A few years ago the lights were red and white. Before that I did colored lights. It depends on my mood, I gueess.
14. Favorite Christmas song? Karen Carpenter singing I'll Be Home for Christmas. She sang like an angel. Right now, though, I am loving listening to Riley sing Saucy the Snowman. It cracks me up!!
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we are staying home. Last year we were in China. We like to mix it up.
16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? I have three kids. I have the reindeer on speed dial if Santa is busy. We need to keep the Naughty list updated.
17. Angel on the tree top or a star? Growing up I had an angel on my tree. Jerry had a star. This was a BIG problem our first Christmas after we married. Our compromise was to put St. Nicholas on top of our tree. He is pretty cool. I have never seen another one like him.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Christmas morning is the only option since Santa doesn't come until we are all asleep.
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I hate knowing I have to buy something for someone who has everything. I am not a good creative gift giver.
20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? My tree is filled with ornaments the kids made, gifts from friends and family and things that are filled with memories. I love looking at the tree and telling my kids all of the wonderful stories.
21. What do you leave for Santa? Milk and cookies.. and some reindeer food on the lawn. -a quick confession.. I got caught eating the cookies on Christmas. Umm... not good. I was able to replace them and get the offended James back to bed.
22. Least favorite holiday song? Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
23. Favorite ornament? hmm.. I have a few. I love the one given to me while waiting for Madeline. Anything my children have made always is cherished. I also have some Precious Moments my Mother -in - law gave me before she died. They are so special.
Now, I am supposed to tag people. Instead, I am just going to say... if you want to participate, please do. Leave a comment so we can all check it out!
Later Gator
Rules:
Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
Share Christmas facts about yourself.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Here it is... read it and weep.
1. Wrapping or gift bags? Okay, now I am sure the folks that receive gifts from me would prefer a gift bag after witnessing the car wreck known as my wrapping skills.. but I believe that if the good Lord blessed me with this horrible wrapping abilty than it is my duty to share it.
2. Real or artificial tree? We bought an artificial tree last year. We did it for a few reasons. One- I wanted to put up a tree even though we were traveling in December. I wanted the tree left up with gifts under the tree waiting for Madeline. So, we bought an artificial tree. Two- real trees are EXPENSIVE!! We were spending about $100 on a tree. I just wasn't liking the big bucks going out like that.
3. When do you put up the tree? -either Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after. My family always put it up Thanksgiving weekend, so that is where I tend to lean.
4. When do you take the tree down? We are supposed to take it down? I was planning on putting hearts on it for February, shamrocks for March, Easter Eggs for April, raindrops for May, flowers for June, firecrackers for July, beach umbrellas for August, books for September, ghosts for October and my husband for November. (PS... I take it down when I remember it is still up and am worried that people will start mocking me! HA!)
5. Do you like eggnog? Eggnog is a bad word.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Barbi Townhouse was my favorite gift. It ROCKED!!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yup... a neigbor gave it to me as a gift. I love it!!
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? pots and pans.... no loving for Jerry for a while after that one! haha
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mailed...umm but I haven't sent them in the past few years do to all of the drama.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? -probably Elf and A Christmas Story. I still want a Red Rider Rifle... though I do worry about shooting my eye out.
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? tomorrow??? Actually I don't normally start until right around Thanksgiving. It is then a mad, panic dash to 12/25
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Decorated sugar cookies.. and.. umm... nope, that is my fave.
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? This changes regularly. This year they are clear. A few years ago the lights were red and white. Before that I did colored lights. It depends on my mood, I gueess.
14. Favorite Christmas song? Karen Carpenter singing I'll Be Home for Christmas. She sang like an angel. Right now, though, I am loving listening to Riley sing Saucy the Snowman. It cracks me up!!
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we are staying home. Last year we were in China. We like to mix it up.
16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? I have three kids. I have the reindeer on speed dial if Santa is busy. We need to keep the Naughty list updated.
17. Angel on the tree top or a star? Growing up I had an angel on my tree. Jerry had a star. This was a BIG problem our first Christmas after we married. Our compromise was to put St. Nicholas on top of our tree. He is pretty cool. I have never seen another one like him.
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Christmas morning is the only option since Santa doesn't come until we are all asleep.
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I hate knowing I have to buy something for someone who has everything. I am not a good creative gift giver.
20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? My tree is filled with ornaments the kids made, gifts from friends and family and things that are filled with memories. I love looking at the tree and telling my kids all of the wonderful stories.
21. What do you leave for Santa? Milk and cookies.. and some reindeer food on the lawn. -a quick confession.. I got caught eating the cookies on Christmas. Umm... not good. I was able to replace them and get the offended James back to bed.
22. Least favorite holiday song? Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
23. Favorite ornament? hmm.. I have a few. I love the one given to me while waiting for Madeline. Anything my children have made always is cherished. I also have some Precious Moments my Mother -in - law gave me before she died. They are so special.
Now, I am supposed to tag people. Instead, I am just going to say... if you want to participate, please do. Leave a comment so we can all check it out!
Later Gator
Monday, December 17, 2007
Thanks for the Suggestions!
Okay, first, thank you for the suggestions I have received.
Gulp.. I bought a roast. I looked up cooking instructions in my Good Ole' Betty Crocker cookbook. I am hoping and praying it will work.
I am going to do crescent rolls from the tube. (I am confident on this part of the meal.) I will nuke a veggie... and bake some potatoes. (I figured baked pot. worked with a roast.) I will put some sort of salad together.. and YES, it will originate from a bag. The salad dressing has me a little perplexed.. but I am thinking Good Seasons in a carafe. I actually own a carafe. Who would have thought I would ever put it to use!?! I will open a can of olives and pour them into a bowl. (My Italian mother would be greatly disappointed if I didn't.) I found directions for a broccoli casserole thingy. It looks pretty easy, so I may tempt fate and go for it.
I have not figured out dessert yet, so keep those suggestions coming.
I am going to go troll the grocery store tomorrow and maybe come up with an idea or two. Heck, I may just stare in other people's grocery carts and see what they are buying. Isn't imitation the best form of flattery?
Does anyone know how to make Shirley Temples? I think my boys would think they are hot stuff if they had a fancy schmancy drink.
Shoot... I just realized I don't have a blender. Mine broke... ummm... making adult beverages. Do I need one? I am thinking that I may buy a bottle of wine. Any suggestions on this?
Okay.. so now you know my tentative dinner plans. I am getting down on my knees before bed each night and PRAYING this goes off without a hitch.
A girl can dream, right??
Gulp.. I bought a roast. I looked up cooking instructions in my Good Ole' Betty Crocker cookbook. I am hoping and praying it will work.
I am going to do crescent rolls from the tube. (I am confident on this part of the meal.) I will nuke a veggie... and bake some potatoes. (I figured baked pot. worked with a roast.) I will put some sort of salad together.. and YES, it will originate from a bag. The salad dressing has me a little perplexed.. but I am thinking Good Seasons in a carafe. I actually own a carafe. Who would have thought I would ever put it to use!?! I will open a can of olives and pour them into a bowl. (My Italian mother would be greatly disappointed if I didn't.) I found directions for a broccoli casserole thingy. It looks pretty easy, so I may tempt fate and go for it.
I have not figured out dessert yet, so keep those suggestions coming.
I am going to go troll the grocery store tomorrow and maybe come up with an idea or two. Heck, I may just stare in other people's grocery carts and see what they are buying. Isn't imitation the best form of flattery?
Does anyone know how to make Shirley Temples? I think my boys would think they are hot stuff if they had a fancy schmancy drink.
Shoot... I just realized I don't have a blender. Mine broke... ummm... making adult beverages. Do I need one? I am thinking that I may buy a bottle of wine. Any suggestions on this?
Okay.. so now you know my tentative dinner plans. I am getting down on my knees before bed each night and PRAYING this goes off without a hitch.
A girl can dream, right??
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas Dinner
Well, the countdown has begun to Christmas dinner. I am cooking for my parents, Moe and Nick and the 5 of us. To some of you this would be an intimate dinner. To me, this is HUGE! I am not a cook. Let me put this into perspective for you. My children think I have cooked a gourmet meal if I didn't use the microwave. (Remember that Mac & Cheese is not a microwave meal.) I have to come up with something to cook that will not kill my family.
Now, I am thinking some roast thingy will do, though I have no clue what or how to cook it. Is it acceptable to microwave veggies for Christmas dinner???? I am so out of my league. If you read my last post I mentioned cooking a big dinner two years ago. You see, I bought a ham. (They are precooked.. you just heat and serve.) I really want this meal to be edible. I am not asking for the moon here, just something that won't cost any of my family hospital co-pays. Is that too much to ask?
Now, the main course has me worried... but considering I really don't eat dessert type foods at all, that is also a problem. Can I serve frozen pies from the grocery store that I cook? Flour and I normally do NOT get along. So, really, baking a pie... not a chance in Hades. Do slice and bake Christmas sugar cookies count as a dessert?
You may think I am joking.. but ohhh noooooo I am far from joking. I am truly in waaaayyyy over my head on this whole dinner thing.
Any suggestions or if anyone is a chef who would like to cook for me and allow me to take full and complete credit, please leave a comment!
Now, I am thinking some roast thingy will do, though I have no clue what or how to cook it. Is it acceptable to microwave veggies for Christmas dinner???? I am so out of my league. If you read my last post I mentioned cooking a big dinner two years ago. You see, I bought a ham. (They are precooked.. you just heat and serve.) I really want this meal to be edible. I am not asking for the moon here, just something that won't cost any of my family hospital co-pays. Is that too much to ask?
Now, the main course has me worried... but considering I really don't eat dessert type foods at all, that is also a problem. Can I serve frozen pies from the grocery store that I cook? Flour and I normally do NOT get along. So, really, baking a pie... not a chance in Hades. Do slice and bake Christmas sugar cookies count as a dessert?
You may think I am joking.. but ohhh noooooo I am far from joking. I am truly in waaaayyyy over my head on this whole dinner thing.
Any suggestions or if anyone is a chef who would like to cook for me and allow me to take full and complete credit, please leave a comment!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Holiday Season
I have always loved the holiday season. It has not typically been a time for sadness for me. The past few years have made me look at Christmas from the highest highs to the lowest lows. So, I think I have become more introspective than I once was. (That could also be age, but that is another story.)
Two years ago my grandmother died on Christmas morning. She was a religious woman to the core. She suffered a brain stem stroke 5 days before Christmas. There was no chance of recovery. That was the first Christmas in our new home. We had already planned on having Jerry's huge family over for dinner. His mother had passed away just weeks before. I had been cooking my heart out for days... well, for two days. (For those who know me, you know cooking is far from my strong suit. So having such a large gathering is very out of character for me.) This ended up being a blessing. I was able to add my parents and my aunt and uncle for dinner with ease. They needed to be surrounded by life. My mother and my aunt had been struggling with each other the days before my grandmother's death. We were all able to break bread together, while dealing with celebrating this important holiday for the first time after losing two very strong women. It was a day of mixed emotions. It was a day to lean on each other. The loss of my grandmother that morning gave Jerry's family a positive focus for the day. They turned their attention from their own mourning to help my parents... any my family through this very overwhelming day.
Last year on Christmas Eve Madeline was placed in my arms. Her adoption was finalized on Christmas Day. Talk about going from one extreme to the next. In a year's time we went from a death to a new life. Strange. We had no idea the year before that we would be spending Christmas in China... much less to have Madeline come to us on such a amazing day. The anniversary of my grandmother's death now became a day of celebration.
These two extremes make me really stop and think. Now, I am a God fearing woman... but I am also rather... hmm... sarcastic and some may say rough around the edges. I have a loud personality, off color sense of humor and well.. I am not the picture of feminity. I have found these diacotomies in my life to bring me a unique perspective on things.
I saw my grandmother's death as a very sad blessing. She suffered from Alzheimer's for several years. She had just gotten to the point where she no longer recognized people from the present. Dying on Christmas was probably the biggest gift she ever received in her life. Christmas is a day to celebrate life. She celebrated life each and every day. I believe when she saw the heavens open to let the Christ child down, she saw her chance to slide right in to heaven. I believe she needed to be in heaven in order to watch over Madeline for us until we could get to her.
Madeline's adoption day falling on Christmas is almost surreal. To add this beautiful, dynamic person into our family on this date... whew... intense.
This year I am anxiously awaiting Christmas. I have no idea what the day will hold for us. It seems like forever since we had a "normal" Christmas. I look forward to remembering my grandmother, celebrating Madeline's Gotcha and Adoption days and just being with my family. Maureen and Nick will arrive from Australia Christmas Eve. Sharon and the kids will arrive Christmas Day. I am sure the day will be just as rich as it has come to be for my family over these past few years.
Can't wait to tell you all about it.
Two years ago my grandmother died on Christmas morning. She was a religious woman to the core. She suffered a brain stem stroke 5 days before Christmas. There was no chance of recovery. That was the first Christmas in our new home. We had already planned on having Jerry's huge family over for dinner. His mother had passed away just weeks before. I had been cooking my heart out for days... well, for two days. (For those who know me, you know cooking is far from my strong suit. So having such a large gathering is very out of character for me.) This ended up being a blessing. I was able to add my parents and my aunt and uncle for dinner with ease. They needed to be surrounded by life. My mother and my aunt had been struggling with each other the days before my grandmother's death. We were all able to break bread together, while dealing with celebrating this important holiday for the first time after losing two very strong women. It was a day of mixed emotions. It was a day to lean on each other. The loss of my grandmother that morning gave Jerry's family a positive focus for the day. They turned their attention from their own mourning to help my parents... any my family through this very overwhelming day.
Last year on Christmas Eve Madeline was placed in my arms. Her adoption was finalized on Christmas Day. Talk about going from one extreme to the next. In a year's time we went from a death to a new life. Strange. We had no idea the year before that we would be spending Christmas in China... much less to have Madeline come to us on such a amazing day. The anniversary of my grandmother's death now became a day of celebration.
These two extremes make me really stop and think. Now, I am a God fearing woman... but I am also rather... hmm... sarcastic and some may say rough around the edges. I have a loud personality, off color sense of humor and well.. I am not the picture of feminity. I have found these diacotomies in my life to bring me a unique perspective on things.
I saw my grandmother's death as a very sad blessing. She suffered from Alzheimer's for several years. She had just gotten to the point where she no longer recognized people from the present. Dying on Christmas was probably the biggest gift she ever received in her life. Christmas is a day to celebrate life. She celebrated life each and every day. I believe when she saw the heavens open to let the Christ child down, she saw her chance to slide right in to heaven. I believe she needed to be in heaven in order to watch over Madeline for us until we could get to her.
Madeline's adoption day falling on Christmas is almost surreal. To add this beautiful, dynamic person into our family on this date... whew... intense.
This year I am anxiously awaiting Christmas. I have no idea what the day will hold for us. It seems like forever since we had a "normal" Christmas. I look forward to remembering my grandmother, celebrating Madeline's Gotcha and Adoption days and just being with my family. Maureen and Nick will arrive from Australia Christmas Eve. Sharon and the kids will arrive Christmas Day. I am sure the day will be just as rich as it has come to be for my family over these past few years.
Can't wait to tell you all about it.
Friday, December 14, 2007
A Friend
You know, sometimes it is hard to know how to be a friend. It is not easy to see things black and white. I am struggling with friendships right now. Struggling, not in having or making friends, but in being the friend I can be to others and allowing them to be a friend to me.
Kids make friends easily. They also move on from friend to friend in a more carefree manner. They run, play, laugh, disagree and squabble. They know when to take their toys and go home. They understand that sometimes you aren't friends with someone anymore. They may be sad when a friendship ends, but they openly make new friends.
I think if I decided to write a personal plan for improvement I would include a friend category. I am not a good friend maker. I have very few true friends in my life. I have written about friendship disappointments in the past here and that is not what this is about.
Currently in my life I feel like I have these little friendship circles. All of them interesting, but not much for me... just me... as a person. I go to activities like Bunco and Girl's Night Out. It is always fun. I have my one best friend from college, my sorority sister, whom I love with all my heart, though our lives are vastly different now. I have co-workers who I enjoy tremendously, laugh and goof with, but not connected with.
Maybe adult friendships, for me, are not the deep ones. I would LOVE to have a best friend. That may be the little girl in me coming through, but to have someone to giggle with, complain about my husband to, listen to, share glories and defeats with, would be nice. I think I would be in girlfriend heaven if that happened.
Currently, I have friends, but no a deep connection. I don't pick up the phone and chat about life with anyone. I look at friendships more from an outsiders perspective. I don't feel jealous or envious of other people's relationships because I am so glad they have found that connection with another person.
Maybe having a best friend is more of a childhood activity. Truly, my best friend is my husband, though having a woman's perspective to tap in to would be nice. I tell my husband just about everything. I love him to bits. He is kind, patient, loving, ornery, stubborn... all of the things I love in a man. He is my best friend on so many levels... but not what I am looking for in a girlfriend. I think the testosterone may get in the way of sharing pedicures and PMS talk.
Maybe I should take out a want ad.
Wanted
1-best friend
Qualifications:
quirky, patient listener who likes to laugh and share and is willing to make an effort to be a friend
No prior experience necessary
All interested applicants will be considered
Prefer non-smoker
PS Must be willing to pretend to laugh at my really bad jokes and not like the lemons to lemonade analogy! (HA!)
Kids make friends easily. They also move on from friend to friend in a more carefree manner. They run, play, laugh, disagree and squabble. They know when to take their toys and go home. They understand that sometimes you aren't friends with someone anymore. They may be sad when a friendship ends, but they openly make new friends.
I think if I decided to write a personal plan for improvement I would include a friend category. I am not a good friend maker. I have very few true friends in my life. I have written about friendship disappointments in the past here and that is not what this is about.
Currently in my life I feel like I have these little friendship circles. All of them interesting, but not much for me... just me... as a person. I go to activities like Bunco and Girl's Night Out. It is always fun. I have my one best friend from college, my sorority sister, whom I love with all my heart, though our lives are vastly different now. I have co-workers who I enjoy tremendously, laugh and goof with, but not connected with.
Maybe adult friendships, for me, are not the deep ones. I would LOVE to have a best friend. That may be the little girl in me coming through, but to have someone to giggle with, complain about my husband to, listen to, share glories and defeats with, would be nice. I think I would be in girlfriend heaven if that happened.
Currently, I have friends, but no a deep connection. I don't pick up the phone and chat about life with anyone. I look at friendships more from an outsiders perspective. I don't feel jealous or envious of other people's relationships because I am so glad they have found that connection with another person.
Maybe having a best friend is more of a childhood activity. Truly, my best friend is my husband, though having a woman's perspective to tap in to would be nice. I tell my husband just about everything. I love him to bits. He is kind, patient, loving, ornery, stubborn... all of the things I love in a man. He is my best friend on so many levels... but not what I am looking for in a girlfriend. I think the testosterone may get in the way of sharing pedicures and PMS talk.
Maybe I should take out a want ad.
Wanted
1-best friend
Qualifications:
quirky, patient listener who likes to laugh and share and is willing to make an effort to be a friend
No prior experience necessary
All interested applicants will be considered
Prefer non-smoker
PS Must be willing to pretend to laugh at my really bad jokes and not like the lemons to lemonade analogy! (HA!)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thinking alot... Writing a little
It has been difficult for me to write here lately. I think life has taken so many twists and turns that sometimes I need to just stop. It isn't writers block because I sit for hours and "write" my thoughts in my head. It is just the need, perhaps, to control my surroundings for just a little time.
One of the things that has been in my mind is something that may seem odd. I am not sure where this thought process comes from, but it is prevalent, lately, all the time. Recently someone made the comment.."when given lemons, make lemonade". Normally, this would have seemed perfectly normal to me. Not anymore. Right now this saying bothers me. You see, to me, if you are given lemons, then you have lemons. Why the need to change them? I don't understand this. Maybe it is my current feeling that people are no longer content in life anymore. Sometimes what we have in life IS enough. Sometimes we need to go through the sour times and learn and grow from them. We don't have to think that we should pour a little sugar and add water to.. voila... our life is better. I guess I am at a place in my life right now where I know the difficult times, the lemon times, are necessary.
I know this may seem crazy to some people, but to me it is important. I think we need to appreciate everything in our lives for what they offer. We don't have to like everything, but accept that even the sour things have a place in this world.
If I was judged by my attitude at times... which can be very lemony... then people would always be trying to improve me to their liking... instead of understanding that I have many faces. I tend to see people as unique and special just as they are. Don't get me wrong, I know there are sickos out there... but when talking about lemons, we aren't usually talking about the worst of the worst. We are talking about the bumps along the way.
A few bumps, a few unexpected twists and turns just make life richer. I am better for the lemons in my life. I am stronger, more patient and accepting... I am more understanding and loving for understanding that even the lemons have their place in the fruit bowl.
Enough said.....
One of the things that has been in my mind is something that may seem odd. I am not sure where this thought process comes from, but it is prevalent, lately, all the time. Recently someone made the comment.."when given lemons, make lemonade". Normally, this would have seemed perfectly normal to me. Not anymore. Right now this saying bothers me. You see, to me, if you are given lemons, then you have lemons. Why the need to change them? I don't understand this. Maybe it is my current feeling that people are no longer content in life anymore. Sometimes what we have in life IS enough. Sometimes we need to go through the sour times and learn and grow from them. We don't have to think that we should pour a little sugar and add water to.. voila... our life is better. I guess I am at a place in my life right now where I know the difficult times, the lemon times, are necessary.
I know this may seem crazy to some people, but to me it is important. I think we need to appreciate everything in our lives for what they offer. We don't have to like everything, but accept that even the sour things have a place in this world.
If I was judged by my attitude at times... which can be very lemony... then people would always be trying to improve me to their liking... instead of understanding that I have many faces. I tend to see people as unique and special just as they are. Don't get me wrong, I know there are sickos out there... but when talking about lemons, we aren't usually talking about the worst of the worst. We are talking about the bumps along the way.
A few bumps, a few unexpected twists and turns just make life richer. I am better for the lemons in my life. I am stronger, more patient and accepting... I am more understanding and loving for understanding that even the lemons have their place in the fruit bowl.
Enough said.....
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