Ten years ago today, I received one of the two greatest blessings in my life. My beautiful little girl was born - head full of dark hair, big gorgeous blue eyes, long fingers and toes, perfect little round head. She was and still is the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen, and I am truly blessed to have her as my daughter.
Her birth was - much like her brother's twelve years before - a very difficult one. She was almost six weeks premature, the cord was wrapped around her tiny neck, and she was as blue as a Smurf. She did not cry for eleven minutes, and as I waited for those first sounds I could not believe that history was repeating itself. But finally I heard a little whimper and the doctor looked at me and smiled. As soon as it was safe, he put her in my arms, and she instantly stole my heart.
We stayed in the hospital for several days... after the initial trauma, she did amazingly well and spent much of her time in my room. She was in an incubator, but I could get her out and hold her, and I talked to her whenever she was awake. The head nurse at the hospital's nursery had been there forever, and she told me that she'd never met a baby she couldn't "handle". Well about the third day of our stay, this nurse came to get her for a bath. I took advantage of the time and had one myself, as well. I was just getting back into bed when I heard a baby crying it's heart out, and this nurse comes in, wheeling my Little One ahead of her. "I can't do ANY thing with her! She won't stop crying!" She was more than making up for her first few moments of silence!! I picked her up and snuggled her against me, and she stopped instantly. "She just wanted her Mommy!" I told the nurse. Let me tell you... she was NOT a happy lady! Finally, a baby she couldn't comfort! I couldn't help but laugh. From Day One, my Little One has marched to her own beat and wanted one person - her Mommy - and that is just fine with me! :-)
Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl. I love you with ALL my heart and I am SO very glad that God chose me to be your Mommy!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sad days continue....
I wrote in yesterday's blog about some sad and troubling things that have recently occurred in the RVing community. As I began to read blogs today, I found out that two members of this community, Bruce and Margie, were senselessly struck down and killed in California yesterday. What a horrible tragedy for their family and friends, and yet another loss for the RVing world.
My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends as they try to make sense of a senseless situation. May God comfort them as only He can.
My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends as they try to make sense of a senseless situation. May God comfort them as only He can.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sad days in the RVing world...
So much heartache in the wonderful RV community right now............
My heart goes out to Mr. George on the death of his son - I cannot imagine what he is going through and hope that he knows that he is in the prayers of many, many people. He is trying to take care of his son's estate and deal with his grief, and I feel privileged that he is sharing his struggles with his readers through his blog. I pray that he finds peace and solace in his life again.
Another favorite blogger - Bob - has a brother who had a terrible motorcycle accident and faces a very long, difficult recovery. Bob is trying to take care of things for his brother, plus visiting with him, handling all the details involved, advocating for him, and keeping everyone updated. Sounds like a wonderful brother to me.
Over at a site which I visit often, there has been upheaval about the site owner's decision to request donations... I read many forums and blogs, and quite a few of them have a donation button or request readers to click on ads or make purchases at a "store"... Helping to offset costs of keeping up a site from which we benefit seems entirely reasonable to me.
This forum/website is one of the best I've visited, with both the moderators and most of the members acting in a friendly, helpful, accepting way, perhaps disagreeing on certain subjects, but doing so with grace and dignity. In the past few days, some of the contributions have been somewhat hostile, and I just hope that the basic dynamics of the site do not change, because I truly enjoy visiting there and have learned SO much from the owners and other members. I am grateful to H & L for all the hard work they've done to maintain their site.
WHY is it that so many people allow the relative anonymity of the Internet to obscure their judgement? *Some* people would be hateful, spiteful, and mean no matter what, but I believe that most of the aggressive posts I've read at various times would NEVER be stated in such a way if it were a face-to-face situation. We would all do well to remember that although you don't see them, there are PEOPLE involved in these communications. We do NOT have the right to correct their grammar or spelling, to insist that they do things as we would, nor to be vindictive when we do not agree with their point-of-view.
The owners of these websites and blogs have a right to express themselves in any way they wish, post any pictures they wish, discuss whatever happens to interest them, and moderate comments posted on their sites. If you don't like what someone has to say... GO AWAY!!! I've read blogs where I found something offensive and I just didn't go back - but I certainly didn't write to them and flame them for their choices, pretending to be the Internet Police. I exercised MY choice to not revisit their sites!
Life is precious and we should spend our time in positive pursuits. Tell the people you love how you feel. If someone has helped you in some way, say thank you. Do what you can to help someone who needs it. Let each person you meet along the way know that they matter because they are a human being. My favorite quote is "Yesterday is History. Tomorrow is a Mystery. But Today is a Gift. That is why it is called the Present." Let's not waste it....
My heart goes out to Mr. George on the death of his son - I cannot imagine what he is going through and hope that he knows that he is in the prayers of many, many people. He is trying to take care of his son's estate and deal with his grief, and I feel privileged that he is sharing his struggles with his readers through his blog. I pray that he finds peace and solace in his life again.
Another favorite blogger - Bob - has a brother who had a terrible motorcycle accident and faces a very long, difficult recovery. Bob is trying to take care of things for his brother, plus visiting with him, handling all the details involved, advocating for him, and keeping everyone updated. Sounds like a wonderful brother to me.
Over at a site which I visit often, there has been upheaval about the site owner's decision to request donations... I read many forums and blogs, and quite a few of them have a donation button or request readers to click on ads or make purchases at a "store"... Helping to offset costs of keeping up a site from which we benefit seems entirely reasonable to me.
This forum/website is one of the best I've visited, with both the moderators and most of the members acting in a friendly, helpful, accepting way, perhaps disagreeing on certain subjects, but doing so with grace and dignity. In the past few days, some of the contributions have been somewhat hostile, and I just hope that the basic dynamics of the site do not change, because I truly enjoy visiting there and have learned SO much from the owners and other members. I am grateful to H & L for all the hard work they've done to maintain their site.
WHY is it that so many people allow the relative anonymity of the Internet to obscure their judgement? *Some* people would be hateful, spiteful, and mean no matter what, but I believe that most of the aggressive posts I've read at various times would NEVER be stated in such a way if it were a face-to-face situation. We would all do well to remember that although you don't see them, there are PEOPLE involved in these communications. We do NOT have the right to correct their grammar or spelling, to insist that they do things as we would, nor to be vindictive when we do not agree with their point-of-view.
The owners of these websites and blogs have a right to express themselves in any way they wish, post any pictures they wish, discuss whatever happens to interest them, and moderate comments posted on their sites. If you don't like what someone has to say... GO AWAY!!! I've read blogs where I found something offensive and I just didn't go back - but I certainly didn't write to them and flame them for their choices, pretending to be the Internet Police. I exercised MY choice to not revisit their sites!
Life is precious and we should spend our time in positive pursuits. Tell the people you love how you feel. If someone has helped you in some way, say thank you. Do what you can to help someone who needs it. Let each person you meet along the way know that they matter because they are a human being. My favorite quote is "Yesterday is History. Tomorrow is a Mystery. But Today is a Gift. That is why it is called the Present." Let's not waste it....
Friday, October 8, 2010
One down....
... and ??? to go! I had my first "Downsizing So That I Will Have Only What I Need When I Go Fulltiming" yard sale today! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! And I am SOOOOOOOOOO tiward, as my Little One used to say! The bed is already calling my name and it isn't even 8 o'clock yet! Been a long time since 5 am though, so I doubt I will resist much longer!
I know it is a teeny-tiny-baby step, but all day long, each time something left my yard, I couldn't wipe the big ole smile off my face.... "Baby steps first, baby steps first" (to quote Bob in "What About Bob?") If you haven't seen it and you like Bill Murray at his funniest, watch it. Love it!
Anywaaaay.... I'm excited and hoping this is the first in a long line of steps toward freedom!!!!
And now I'm going to bed. :-)
I know it is a teeny-tiny-baby step, but all day long, each time something left my yard, I couldn't wipe the big ole smile off my face.... "Baby steps first, baby steps first" (to quote Bob in "What About Bob?") If you haven't seen it and you like Bill Murray at his funniest, watch it. Love it!
Anywaaaay.... I'm excited and hoping this is the first in a long line of steps toward freedom!!!!
And now I'm going to bed. :-)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
I'm sore, but moving - I have no choice!
There is too much to do! No yard sale for me this weekend..... The Big One has been sick... basically all month! He has allergies year round that are at their worst in the fall. The allergies lead to a sinus infection, which has now become bronchitis. He has been really sick! Now, the Little One is sick, too - stuffy head, sore throat, low-grade fever... Ahhh... nothing like both children being sick at once, is there?
I am recovering from "taking the fall" the other day. Thank you to everyone who has sent me a comment or an email... I appreciate it more than you know! I believe I bruised some ribs during my tumble - it hurts to take a very deep breath and certain ways I move. I feel sure that nothing is broken, but it is pretty sore. My right arm - shoulder to wrist - is still achy, too. But my back? The reason I went for the walk in the first place? Feels great! Guess I popped back in whatever was "popped out" and making it hurt. Strange, but true!
Well the Little One is asking for peach sherbet and I am about to make homemade chicken noodle soup - the cure-all for sniffles and scratchy throats, so I will close.
Thanks again for your concern and commiserations... there's nothing like taking a tumble to bring you back down to earth (literally and figuratively) and remind you that you are human! Here's hoping I'll be able to have that yard sale NEXT weekend - maybe everyone will be healthy and sniffle-free!!
I am recovering from "taking the fall" the other day. Thank you to everyone who has sent me a comment or an email... I appreciate it more than you know! I believe I bruised some ribs during my tumble - it hurts to take a very deep breath and certain ways I move. I feel sure that nothing is broken, but it is pretty sore. My right arm - shoulder to wrist - is still achy, too. But my back? The reason I went for the walk in the first place? Feels great! Guess I popped back in whatever was "popped out" and making it hurt. Strange, but true!
Well the Little One is asking for peach sherbet and I am about to make homemade chicken noodle soup - the cure-all for sniffles and scratchy throats, so I will close.
Thanks again for your concern and commiserations... there's nothing like taking a tumble to bring you back down to earth (literally and figuratively) and remind you that you are human! Here's hoping I'll be able to have that yard sale NEXT weekend - maybe everyone will be healthy and sniffle-free!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Yep, it is *fall* for sure!
Yesterday, the Little One and I decided to go for a walk. My lower back has been bothering me and I knew that a nice long walk would loosen it up. The weather has turned cool - it barely made 70 yesterday. Last Monday, it was 99! So off we went around the neighborhood.
We always look at nature here in the 'burbs - watch for butterflies and birds, look at the trees and flowers. We stopped to admire (again) a huge old Live Oak and were discussing how old it is and the things which were going on when it was a little sprout - spontaneous history and science lesson, you know.
On the next block, there is a small but beautiful mulberry tree, very structural and already in its fall regalia. As we were walking toward it, I told LO to be careful, because the sidewalks are not in the best of shape in that area - many cracked and broken places, with many seams that "buck up" and are just right to catch toes of the unaware.
Well... the words were no sooner out of my mouth than... BAM! Caught the toe on my right foot and stumbled forward... as I was falling - you know this always happens in slow motion - I got my left foot under me, then stumbled forward on my right, thinking I could "catch" myself.... but no. No such luck. I FELL forward and - somehow - the old, old manuever that was drilled into us in volleyball and basketball practice in high school kicked in, and I rolled onto my shoulder and landed juuuust to the side of the walk, in the grass. If I hadn't I would have landed face-first on the concrete.
Little One was screaming and I was trying to calm her down while checking to see if anything was broken. Took me a couple of minutes to get up - I am 5'10" and not a small girl, so I hit hard! LO was crying and asking if I was going to die... she'd never seen her MOM fall before! I was finally able to get up and limp the 4 blocks or so home. As we were walking, I felt a pain in my left foot, near my toes, and discovered that somehow a stick had gone between my shoe and foot and jabbed an inch long wound into my foot - only about a 1/8 inch from a large vein in my toe.
Got home, washed off, changed out of my dirty, grass-stained, been-rolling-around-on-the-ground clothes, doctored the foot, and chilled. This morning, I feel as though I have been run over by a small bus, but thankfully I have no major injuries. Except to my pride!
LO asked me if I thought anyone saw me fall, and I told her that I have no idea, but if they did, they sure didn't come out to check on me. I would have run out had I seen someone take a tumble like that in front of our home, but that is just me. I guess I will have to assume that no one saw me. And I kind of like it that way! Why is it that falling is so embarrassing to us, when it happens to us all at one time or another, and is in no way our fault?
I plan to try to walk again today - got to get right back in the saddle! But you can bet I'll be watching for that sinister sidewalk to jump up and take me down, and warning LO to do the same. :-)
We always look at nature here in the 'burbs - watch for butterflies and birds, look at the trees and flowers. We stopped to admire (again) a huge old Live Oak and were discussing how old it is and the things which were going on when it was a little sprout - spontaneous history and science lesson, you know.
On the next block, there is a small but beautiful mulberry tree, very structural and already in its fall regalia. As we were walking toward it, I told LO to be careful, because the sidewalks are not in the best of shape in that area - many cracked and broken places, with many seams that "buck up" and are just right to catch toes of the unaware.
Well... the words were no sooner out of my mouth than... BAM! Caught the toe on my right foot and stumbled forward... as I was falling - you know this always happens in slow motion - I got my left foot under me, then stumbled forward on my right, thinking I could "catch" myself.... but no. No such luck. I FELL forward and - somehow - the old, old manuever that was drilled into us in volleyball and basketball practice in high school kicked in, and I rolled onto my shoulder and landed juuuust to the side of the walk, in the grass. If I hadn't I would have landed face-first on the concrete.
Little One was screaming and I was trying to calm her down while checking to see if anything was broken. Took me a couple of minutes to get up - I am 5'10" and not a small girl, so I hit hard! LO was crying and asking if I was going to die... she'd never seen her MOM fall before! I was finally able to get up and limp the 4 blocks or so home. As we were walking, I felt a pain in my left foot, near my toes, and discovered that somehow a stick had gone between my shoe and foot and jabbed an inch long wound into my foot - only about a 1/8 inch from a large vein in my toe.
Got home, washed off, changed out of my dirty, grass-stained, been-rolling-around-on-the-ground clothes, doctored the foot, and chilled. This morning, I feel as though I have been run over by a small bus, but thankfully I have no major injuries. Except to my pride!
LO asked me if I thought anyone saw me fall, and I told her that I have no idea, but if they did, they sure didn't come out to check on me. I would have run out had I seen someone take a tumble like that in front of our home, but that is just me. I guess I will have to assume that no one saw me. And I kind of like it that way! Why is it that falling is so embarrassing to us, when it happens to us all at one time or another, and is in no way our fault?
I plan to try to walk again today - got to get right back in the saddle! But you can bet I'll be watching for that sinister sidewalk to jump up and take me down, and warning LO to do the same. :-)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Happy Birthday E!
Happy Birthday to my "bouncing baby boy"! I can't believe that it has been 22 years since my life changed forever... what a blessing you have been. When I think about that tiny, helpless baby that I held in my arms so many years ago, and then look at the 6'5" strong, capable young man you have become... I am completely amazed. I am so honored that God chose me to be your mother.
I hope that you have a wonderful day, and that you know just how much you are loved.
Happy Birthday, Son!
I hope that you have a wonderful day, and that you know just how much you are loved.
Happy Birthday, Son!
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