Wowzers ~ do I have Disney fever. Whenever life gets too REAL, I always turn to the magic of Disney. But Disney ain't cheap! And our current, most enjoyable Disney experience is a Disney Cruise. And that really ain't cheap. A Disney Cruise is so much fun and so relaxing but it goes by so quickly...a week turns into snapshots of good times in your memory. A cruise, any cruise can snowball in costs quickly. Once you are done paying for the actual cruise then you have gratuities, alcohol, spa fees (lots of spa fees:), excursions, souvenirs, pictures, travel arrangements before and after the cruise...before you know it you are spending what you paid to book the cruise to enjoy it. I would NEVER trade the days we had together on our cruise...pure family enjoyment. We had time with the kids, we had time with each other, the entertainment was top notch, the accommodations were great. Something for all ages! It was worth my weight in GOLD in memories for me and my crew. I just wish we were in a place to be able to swing it again soon. But in the meantime I will just be Disney dreaming....hoping to work in the Christmas Party this year. Although I think we may opt for the Halloween Party since it was such a BLAST. Cannot decide: but at least I will get to enjoy Disney this year one way or another!!
My 40th birthday is next year so JJ if you are reading....save up!!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Love this...thought I would share
A Keeper
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress; lawn mower in his hand, and dish-towel in hers. It was the time for fixing things...a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away....never to return. So...while we have it...its best we love it...and care for it...and fix it when it's broken...and heal it when it's sick.
This is true...for marriage...and old cars...and children with bad report cards...dogs and cats with bad hips...and aging parents...and grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close in heart and mind and spirit.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress; lawn mower in his hand, and dish-towel in hers. It was the time for fixing things...a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away....never to return. So...while we have it...its best we love it...and care for it...and fix it when it's broken...and heal it when it's sick.
This is true...for marriage...and old cars...and children with bad report cards...dogs and cats with bad hips...and aging parents...and grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close in heart and mind and spirit.
Life is Good!
Well I digress, life is good but along with cupcakes there are pitfalls. Numerous pitfalls: and learning to brave the storm is half the battle. I am learning THIS more and more everyday, in trying to teach my son to look for the positive. He was blessed with my pessimistic attitude. Whether I got it from genetics or I learned that role, it is mine to carry! And now to see him with that same characteristic; I work harder to overcome it. It is so hard when the part you dislike about your child came from you and also describes you. I think that people who are upbeat 100% of the time are full of shit! Forgive me but I am just being honest. Society dictates that we should all be happy every second of the day but some of us are just not geared that way. That same philosophy also encourages people to hide the part of their lives that is not happy, positive and wonderful. Life is not perfect...keeping up with the Smyth's is a full time job, who has time for it? Not me.
Back to the pitfalls, I am learning that there are bumps in the road and dealing with them is part of having faith. Faith that something bigger than you is in control and has a road map for your life is very a comforting feeling.
Please say a prayer for J, he is on bed rest because the pad between 2 of his discs in his back has deteriorated. Basically 2 vertebrate are cutting into his nerve. I just hope his pain can be relieved and he can get back on his feet soon. This is our current pitfall and I just pray all will be alright.
Back to the pitfalls, I am learning that there are bumps in the road and dealing with them is part of having faith. Faith that something bigger than you is in control and has a road map for your life is very a comforting feeling.
Please say a prayer for J, he is on bed rest because the pad between 2 of his discs in his back has deteriorated. Basically 2 vertebrate are cutting into his nerve. I just hope his pain can be relieved and he can get back on his feet soon. This is our current pitfall and I just pray all will be alright.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Snow will = a much needed lazy day at my house!
The Charlotte area is predicted to get ice and snow tomorrow. We are under a winter storm warning currently and I truly hope that they are right and we DO get BLASTED. I know to be very careful what I wish for and that "blasted" could mean no power but being the polar bear that I am; I say bring it on! The thought of a Saturday away from work and the kids being entertained equals heaven in my book. I love that J has the ability to drive in the snow...(for those of you who have experienced his driving I have come to the conclusion that he learned to drive on ice and snow) and that I never feel stuck! We do venture out usually for a late breakfast in the snow and then back home and then we do nothing more than be worthless :) Keeping warm and watching for the kids to come in and change clothes or gloves, get hot chocolate, warm up and head back out!
A break in the regular routine that allows you to slow down and do nothing but admire the view ~ call me boring but that is my idea of a perfect day . I love to see snow falling and then look at everything covered in white and to go outside and breathe in that cold air....if hell is HOT, then Cold is HEAVEN!
A break in the regular routine that allows you to slow down and do nothing but admire the view ~ call me boring but that is my idea of a perfect day . I love to see snow falling and then look at everything covered in white and to go outside and breathe in that cold air....if hell is HOT, then Cold is HEAVEN!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Amazing....Talent!
Sorry I do not have time to actually write today but I wanted to share this amazing video....unbelievable talent and so touching too.
Please remember Haiti! Text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 to The American Red Cross for Haiti!
Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.
Sorry you will have to cut and paste this into your browser....well worth it!
Please remember Haiti! Text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 to The American Red Cross for Haiti!
Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.
Sorry you will have to cut and paste this into your browser....well worth it!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Cupcake Liner
Can you bake a cupcake without a liner? Sure! But the liner protects the foundation of the cake. It keeps it from getting "stuck" to the bottom of the pan and from drying out and burning.
I guess we all need a protective liner. I am so fortunate to have a great one. You know that person; the one who loves you for you. The person that knows you are crazy, lazy, caring, smart, stupid, mean, vulnerable, and whatever else "ails" you! But they somehow love you anyway. They tell you nicely when your wrong, rejoice with you when you are right and they find a spot "to get in where they fit in" and hold on tight for the ride.
Yep, you guessed it! My liner is JJ!
A quote from a movie sums it up pretty well "find someone you would not mind being stuck in a foxhole with."
I cannot tell you how many times JJ has kept me from getting stuck to the bottom of the pan not to mention burning. I just hope he considers me a "top shelf" liner too. Moral of the story...get yourself a good "liner"! If you don't your CUPCAKES won't be as sweet, you'll get "stuck" to the bottom and burnt. Does your liner have to be your significant other: absolutely not, just be sure they do the job.
I guess we all need a protective liner. I am so fortunate to have a great one. You know that person; the one who loves you for you. The person that knows you are crazy, lazy, caring, smart, stupid, mean, vulnerable, and whatever else "ails" you! But they somehow love you anyway. They tell you nicely when your wrong, rejoice with you when you are right and they find a spot "to get in where they fit in" and hold on tight for the ride.
Yep, you guessed it! My liner is JJ!
A quote from a movie sums it up pretty well "find someone you would not mind being stuck in a foxhole with."
I cannot tell you how many times JJ has kept me from getting stuck to the bottom of the pan not to mention burning. I just hope he considers me a "top shelf" liner too. Moral of the story...get yourself a good "liner"! If you don't your CUPCAKES won't be as sweet, you'll get "stuck" to the bottom and burnt. Does your liner have to be your significant other: absolutely not, just be sure they do the job.
Continued 1/27/10
Yes sometimes our dreams come true and somehow they spread us thin...kids, jobs, vacations and the list goes on and on! So I thought I would blog about the sweet moments, tips & tricks in my life that I am referring to as "cupcakes" in my blog! Cupcakes because I just realized recently that cupcakes ALWAYS make me smile; no matter my mood they remind me of festive, fun times, not to mention I am a sugar fein and I have proof of this everytime I pass a mirror. WOW TMI back to the BLOG...please post the ways that you lighten your life.
I am sure my closest friends think I am a "know-it-all" but that is not how I intend to be, I just like to share things that "lighten my load"! And when presented with someone else's situation/problem, I like to try to find solutions. But most of the time I now know I just need to listen more.
However, in saying that I feel I must mention that I am working to "LISTEN up" more to others this year :) And I have found in doing so I benefit. We are not all the same; some of you may HATE cupcakes; what seems like a solution to me maybe easier said than done! Things that make you go hmmm...
My few true friends,those who openly share their feelings/lives with me 2 inparticular, have taught me some much lately. From their struggles I have learned that very rarely are we remembered or loved for the solutions we offer; instead, our listening ear and padded shoulders are what we are MOST appreciated for during the storm.
Next up CUPCAKE #1 the cupcake liner...without it the cake sticks and burns!
I am sure my closest friends think I am a "know-it-all" but that is not how I intend to be, I just like to share things that "lighten my load"! And when presented with someone else's situation/problem, I like to try to find solutions. But most of the time I now know I just need to listen more.
However, in saying that I feel I must mention that I am working to "LISTEN up" more to others this year :) And I have found in doing so I benefit. We are not all the same; some of you may HATE cupcakes; what seems like a solution to me maybe easier said than done! Things that make you go hmmm...
My few true friends,those who openly share their feelings/lives with me 2 inparticular, have taught me some much lately. From their struggles I have learned that very rarely are we remembered or loved for the solutions we offer; instead, our listening ear and padded shoulders are what we are MOST appreciated for during the storm.
Next up CUPCAKE #1 the cupcake liner...without it the cake sticks and burns!
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