Happy Birthday to the One Who Gave Me Life!

Birthdays have always been a big deal in our family.  Your favorite cake is made for you.  Mine was always cherry chip with cherry frosting.  I'm certain my family cringed every year because they weren't as passionate about it as I was.  You get to pick what you want for your birthday dinner.  Your family expects a birthday wish list from you and everyone gathers to watch you open all of your birthday presents.  We've always celebrated them surrounded by the ones we love. 

Sometimes there are geographical challenges to this.  Today is no exception.  I may not be able to watch you blow out the blaze on top of a cake today but I am with you always.  I am just as much a part of you as you are a part of me.

Happy birthday to the one who gave me life and who continues to remind me what it feels like to be unconditionally loved.  You are loved beyond words...

Empowering You All Ways: Moratorium on Bank of America Foreclosures

Empowering You All Ways: Moratorium on Bank of America Foreclosures: "Here is an article I read today on DSnews.com, Bank of America is now the fourth bank nationwide to place a moratorium on their foreclosure..."

Pink Lemonade

My daughter just "helped" me make some pink lemonade kool-aid.  It is the undisputed best flavor ever made, with grape a close second.  Funny how something so simple can bring out a smile...Maybe because it reminds me of being a child when life was easy and when my daddy was still alive.  Or maybe because it was my son's beverage of choice when he was younger and I couldn't get him to ingest much without hurling but he loved the pink lemonade.  He used to call it pink memolade (or just "memo").  Or maybe because it reminds me of sharing it during this last summer's beach bike rides and picnics.

Regardless, it's just nice to have a reason to smile.  It's been long over due... 

Just breathe...

Very necessary.

pa·tience  (pshns) n.

1. The capacity, quality, or fact of being patient.

Synonyms: patience, long-suffering, resignation, forbearance
 

These nouns denote the capacity to endure hardship, difficulty, or inconvenience without complaint. Patience emphasizes calmness, self-control, and the willingness or ability to tolerate delay.

I am still learning how to be...I know George is taunting me somewhere.  I can hear the snickering.  Obviously I'm being tested and it's fine.  I am who I am and I feel what I feel.  It is what it is.

And I am loved...

10.10.10

Before this month started, I was truly hoping it was going to be an exceptional month.  It certainly HAD to be better than September was.  That month was forgettable.  Actually, that month needs to be blocked out completely.  So, here I am...ten days into October and it isn't any better than September was.  GAWD...

Yesterday I took my daughter Ally to the Cardinals Jr. Cheer practice.  She was finally old enough to participate.  Last year, she missed the age requirement by less than a week.  She wanted to follow in her cousin's footsteps and she was even "practicing" around the house for weeks.  The smile she had on her face yesterday more than made up for the ridiculous past 8 weeks I've been living.  She was having an experience of a lifetime.

Sad to then go to my son's football game where his obvious frustration over playing on a losing team had hit its limit.  I've never seen Riley want to quit something before.  Unfortunately, that time has come...

I should be sitting on a beach in Cabo right now with a drink in my hand.  Changes happen that are sometimes beyond our control.  Sometimes you'll never know why.

Telling someone you love, respect, and adore them isn't enough.  You need to SHOW them.  Always.  ALWAYS...

Full circle? We'll see...

Missing my 5th star...my ONE.  More than I should...but I do.