D, M & AD

The names have been changed to protect the innocent! I went to dinner last week with 2 of my best friends in the world. We had a great dinner but the highlight of our night was when all 3 of us ended up in the bathroom...all in the same stall...taking turns going potty...and one of us (I won't tell which one of us) showing off her boobies! I love my best friends and our boobies!

I adore men, but women friends are what hold your life together.

Nancy Collins

Shea's Lavender Blanket

Well...I finally did it! After 10 long years, I finally finished Shea's lavender blanket! I wrote about it awhile back and told that when Nana-Nana got sick with cancer that I promised her that I would make Shea a lavender blanket. Shea was 2 at the time and she is 12 years old now but I finished it! The night before I was done with it, I told Shea that I felt a bit sad that I would be done soon. I wasn't sad because I loved doing it...the truth is that I didn't so much as enjoy it as I did it just to finish it! For some reason, I just felt a bit weird that it would soon be finished. Before I crocheted my last stitch, I waited for Shea to wake up and her and I tied off the last bit of yarn together! By then, I had gotten over the bit of sadness that I was feeling and it turned to this overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment. Not only had I finished something that I set out to do (regardless how long it took me) but I kept my promise to my Nana. I've said it before...there is so much to be said about persistence! Each day when I see the white blanket that Nana crocheted for me on my bed, it brings me happiness to know that her sweet hands made it for me. I know as Shea & I see her lavender blanket on her bed that we will both not only feel my love for her and Shea but also feel Nana's love for both of us as well.

Me & Apricots

I always say that apricots & pineapple are my favorite fruits. Costco sells these pineapple spears that I just love...they are delicious, but I love them the most because I don't have to cut the darn pineapple! I bought a crate of apricots at Costco last week and have had a great time eating them all week. I always giggle as I eat the apricots over the sink because I don't eat the skin but I suck the inners out of them! I always think if anyone saw me (former homecoming queen, cheerleader & most popular) they would be laughing hysterically and run to start the rumor mill! I can tell you this- it ain't pretty! But they are sure yummy! I could get graphic and sensual and describe how I lick the dripping juices off my arms and fingers but there is truly nothing too exciting about it...it's just yummy! Gross...yuck...too much info on this blog entry!

Mother's Day 2007

When Shea asked me what I wanted to do on Mother's Day this year, I thought good and hard before I answered. The last 2 years we took my mom up to Solvang and as fun as it was, I remember telling Shea last year that I wanted to do something with "only" her next year. I thought about Disneyland and decided it would be too crowded. However, they usually give all the mom's that go on Mother's Day a cute carnation corsage which is such a sweet gesture. I finally decided that my "best & favorite" place would to be to go to the beach. Shea & I packed a picnic lunch and got all our beach necessities ready (umbrella, beach chairs, magazines, sunscreen) and went off to have a wonderful day at the beach! It was so relaxing and peaceful. I think that will become our annual trip because we both totally enjoyed it. My favorite part of the day was when Shea gave me my cards. Her 6th grade class had each written a note to their mom and this is what Shea wrote to me:

"She is always there for me and she is truly my best friend. We have so much fun with each other and she is always a good, Godly example for me. When I grow up, I want to be just like her."

Wow...how many kids express that to their parents? I have always counted being Shea's Mommy as the greatest joy, honor and privilege that God ever blessed me with. Shea is truly the best gift God has ever given me and I never take that for granted. I love her every single second of the day & night. I wrote this poem for her last year and framed it for her Christmas present:

My Precious Gift

God blessed me with a precious gift eleven years ago,

Her name is Shea Elisa as most of you all know.

God sent her down to grow and learn- to be a sweet one too,

She's the reason that I know God's here- in everything I do.

She makes me smile every day with all her bits of love,

Her laughter warms my heart and I thank the Lord above.

Ready to spread God's word and share her faith with all,

She is my living angel...my precious little doll.

I thank God each and every day for seeing life through her eyes,

For each new morning holds the key to a wonderful surprise.

Some may think that they have more, but nothing can compare,

With who my precious daughter is and the love that we both share.

Some may have bigger homes, more money, jewels and such,

But no one could ever feel more rich- we have so very much.

Some days I wonder what I did to deserve a gift like Shea,

Then I remember how God loves me and all the times I pray.

Yes, when He sent my gift to me- Shea was not wrapped with a bow,

There was no fancy paper or anything of value to show.

Yet, here she is and I have found that she is my most precious one,

Just as God so loved us, He gave us His only son.

Missa Baby & Laundry

Our baby cat, Missy, is obsessed with warm laundry. I always fold it on my bed and as soon as she hears the dryer open...she comes a runnin'! She then jumps into the middle of it and proceeds to "knead dough" (what baby kittens do to their mommys nipples to stimulate milk flow) - unfortunately, all she ever finds is the smell of Tide, Downy & Bounce sheets! At any rate, she just enjoys it. It is rare that I don't fold the laundry right when it's done but once in awhile, I can't quite get to it. The other day I pulled out "cold" laundry to which Missy jumped up and then turned her nose up and jumped right down. Truly, I think I pissed her off. Sorry Missa Baby...Mommy can't be on top of things all the time! But yes...I do think I am the cat's meow!
ME-OW!

Coty Powder

One of my fondest memories of my Nana is the way that she smelled. Even as she aged, she always smelled soooooooo good! Shea was 2 years old at the time that Nana developed Cancer and we would go and bathe her. Shea would sit and hold the large, plastic pitcher that I would rinse her with. The strange thing was that even before I would bathe her, she would still smell so good! I am one who can't stand when people smell dirty. I shower daily (sometimes twice) and use a clean towel each time and I have my own regimen that I follow each and every day. Funny thing, most of that regimen is the same one that my Nana followed! I have used Oil of Olay face cream for years and at 43 years old, I truly have very few wrinkles and nice smoothe skin. I move down and use Jergens lotion on my body...just like Nana. Nana used to use a lotion called "Deep Magic" but I don't think they sell it anymore. Recently, I started using a loose powder as I put my makeup on and although I had tried several different ones, I had not found one that I just loved. I was in Walgreens a few weeks back and I happened to see what my Nana always used...Coty Powder! So I bought a container which incidently was in the same exact round box with the same floral print that it was when I would buy it for her. The moment that I opened the box, tons of memories rushed out to me just from smelling the powder! It smells so good, just like Nana. Every morning that I use it, I think of her and just smile. I always love when people tell me how good I smell...thank you Nana!


There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.

William C. Bryant

The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.

Chanakya

As one smart bear once said...

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you."

Winnie the Pooh

Fall in love with someone...and love them with all your heart!

Endless Love

While driving the other day, the Diana Ross/Lionel Richie song "Endless Love" came on the radio. Shea & Hayley were both in the car and I was belting it out. Shea loves Brooke Shields (many people used to tell her that she looked like her when she was little) and I mentioned that the song was written for the movie, "Endless Love" that Brooke was in. Her reply back to me was, "Oh, I know this song...it's the one that Chandler and Phoebe sang in that Friends episode." It just struck me so funny because she related it to "Friends" rather than what I related it to- I guess the generation gap really reared it's ugly face!

Keith & Crackers

One of the things about Keith is that he loves saltine crackers...he always has a sleeve of them by his desk and since day one when I walk by, I always just sneak 2 or 3 of them. I never ask, I just do it. You have to know Keith...he would never care one bit, especially since it is me...geez, he'd give me the shirt off his back, truly! When I heard that he was leaving, I gave him a silly, funny, raunchy goodbye card which of course made him laugh out loud and I confessed to him how I have been stealing his crackers (kind of sounds dirty, doesn't it???) ever since I started here! He thought it was so funny! This morning we had a great talk about old coins and farm animals...don't ask...that's exactly why we get along so well! Anyway, he just brought me the last few crackers from what he ate today...I love when friends appreciate me for the silly girl that I am. It makes me feel so loved!

Keith

A few weeks ago when I was on vacation, I received a call from one of my co-workers that my friend, Keith, was leaving our company. I was really bummed because I really like him and we just have plain, good, old fun together. I did put on my game face and was able to wish him luck and I made him a 7 layer dip with chips because he doesn't eat sweets! (I know, I can't believe I'm friends with such a warped human being- no sweets???) The group that we have at work is truly an exceptional bunch from the owners to all of us "little people" and it is truly a nice place to go and work. Last week it just wasn't the same without Keith there- even a few of the guys were kind of sad! Us girls laugh at the boys because they go out at break time and just cackle like a bunch of women! Laughing and carrying on like nobody's business! Yesterday, I walked in and heard Keith's voice but it didn't dawn on me until I saw him that he came back! I was so excited and happy that I just did the fist to my hip gesture and smiled! Things are good and I have my buddy back to laugh with and tell all my silly jokes to! Keith is the one who on my very first day told me that he wanted to run naked in the Santa Ana winds...I told him to go first and that I would follow! Ever since then...we have been "best buds!" This last weekend, he crashed on his bike and got scraped and bruised up! I guess because I am a nurse people feel the need to "share" their injuries with me! So today in the middle of everything, Keith unbuttons his pants and shows off this huge bruise on his hip to me! (His wife is also a nurse...no sexual connotation here, I swear!) There is something to be said for knowing when you've got it good! Welcome back Keith!

Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained.
John Powell

Celery Sticks

Ok, call me easily amused but I found the coolest thing in the grocery store last week. I did a staff lunch for school and made my homemade potato salad. For years now I buy the whole, huge, stalk of celery...use a few stalks, eat a couple with peanut butter and throw the rest away! Our bunny, Hunny, won't even eat it because it is too stringy. Anyway, Albertsons sells single stalks of celery! Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever heard of? I bought the 3 stalks that I needed and it was a done deal with no waste! Hey, I started out by telling you that I am easily amused!

Flowers

I was talking to Min & Cherie yesterday and just "vented" that I hate my desk blotter! Each year I have always had the pretty blotter that had flowers and a verse for every month. I always looked so forward to pulling off my page and seeing what the new month would bring. Well...this year Cherie got these plain, white, FREE ones! I have hated mine since January and finally couldn't take it any longer! I just mentioned that I would be in charge of buying them next year because I couldn't stand looking at the ugly white ones! This morning when I came into work...they had decorated my blotter with all kinds of floral stickers! I was so excited that I actually shrieked with joy! Cherie said that she has to "keep AD happy" and Min just shook her head and said, "what AD wants...AD gets!" I am easy to please...so what?!