Search This Blog

Sunday, April 29, 2012

My Little Queen


Ever since she was a Little Bitty, my Annie has had an amazing memory ability as well as an extrodinary taste for music. This Baby Doll would hear a song on the radio or television and memorize the lyrics.  Then sing her little heart out.
She would make the hearth her stage, find something to be her mic, then belt out powerful songs.

At 4 years, she had an unusal passion for the band Queen.  Yeap! While her Sister was sing Mary Kate & Ashley Hits, Annie would be singing "Fat Bottom Girls".  Hubby & I would just look at each other... Where did she learn this song?  It wasn't a cassette we played. Heck, I had a couple of Queen albums but hadn't played it for years.

At 6, she was introducing us all to All for One, and TLC and LFO.

When she was 8, she fell in love with the band, No Doubt.  She knew there was something special about this Gwen Steffani's voice.  While her Sister favored Britney Spears & Mandy Moore, Annie danced to Christina Aquilera ,Pink and Avril Lavigne

She would sing her heart out.  And to such a wide variety of music.  I was pleased to see her appreciation of music, and grew to learn about some amazing singers.

As Annie became a teen she would find some amazingly talented artist and introduce me to their music BEFORE I would hear their popularity grow on the radio.  She was a bit of a music junkie.  And I could always count on her to have great jams playing in her room, and later in her truck.

Annie loves to see Artist perform.  She has been fortunate to see plenty of concerts.

Now at 21, she is getting to see a new venue of local bands playing in nightclubs.

But I... still see her sing... "Don't go Chasin' Waterfalls", and "Summer Girls".  And smile when Queen comes on as that was her first musical love♥

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Flowers for Leontien

Flowers for dear Leonitien~

Beautiful Gardens
Dancing Daisies
my favorite Iris!
Bountiful Iris
Ranunculus
Sweet Magnolias
Peonies!
Meridian St Indpls Flowers:)
Leonitien~ I hope these flowers bring you joy.  I found most from Pinterest (I can not take credit for most these beauties.)

This Is How We Do It...

I wanted to share some late stuff that was partially drafted but never finished. (I have a lot of drafts that never make it to postings).  Anyway...

On Easter Eve, after our family get-together with the Girls and their Fellas, I went to a dear friends for a little Girls Night In.
Now this is my Chef Buddy... So I knew I was in for a treat.
Jill just recently moved to the sweetest house situated on a large piece of land, so the view is lovely.  We had the nicest weather allowing us to enjoy the deck for our Sangria's.
Best Sangria's EVER
These were pretty dang tasty!
Then we moved on to some out of this world entree.
As stuffed as I was from our traditional Easter Ham dinner.. I was devouring this fabulous meal.  Jill has such a magic touch in seasoning and flavoring things to perfection.

I brought a Million Dollar Pie... but this time.. it just didn't get the attention these bad boys got...
... and look at this one I ate...
SERIOUSLY!!!
Needless to say, I had quite the food baby...
It was heavenly.

Oh! and look what Annie's Fella brought me!  MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS :)

Jill~ if you are reading this... LOVE YOU!  When are you gonna teach me to COOK?

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Intimator

The worst part of my job, is getting off at midnight.
I have gotten use to it, and even enjoy it somewhat.  The streets are vacant and my commute home is much quicker than getting to work.  I sometimes, get uneasy when I drive through the area where my employment is.  We are smack dab in the middle of a high crime area, that has seen better days.  In our defense, the School has been there for one hundred years. I drive past a "Motorcycle Club" every evening. and lets just say it isn't full of the same riders Hubby and I rode with when he had the Harleys. I also run past several police squad cars that have folks pulled over or that occasional "Raid"... Eyes forward, act like you do not see anything....

Once I past this area, I hit the Interstate.  Four miles later I merge onto an other Interstate. Then after another four miles, I hit my exit and its a straight shot down Brookville Road to my housing addition.

Tuesday evening I get to that last leg of my journey home when it hits...
That intuition... What Gavin De Becker so clearly discusses in his books.  Something feels wrong.

I noticed a red Blazer (SUV) just ahead of me, lingering prior to where the lanes merge.  I give this vehicle plenty of room to go ahead and merge, even though I had the right away and enough time to pass him.  But something told me to stay behind. It looks suspicious. Like he wants me to get in front of it.
I nearly stopped to get him to get in the lane.
This road has a 50 MPH, but everyone goes faster, especially at this hour with no traffic.  He is going 35-40 MPH.  I am not riding him... although I want to... I am looking at the road ahead to decide if I want to pass him...
Then this Psyhco slams on his brakes.
I have  room to stop, but he has shock me up.
What Heck?
I flashed my brights.
He proceeds to go, speeds up a tad (up to 40 again), then SLAM.  Now I'm not only scared but mad.
An oncoming car approached and I started flashing my brights.. He flashed back and cautiously passed. By now I have Hubby on the phone as I am slightly freaking out... 
No one has messed with me in a long time... 
Thankfully I also have KLOVE (Christian Radio Station) on the radio which keeps me from going into that..."are you sure you wanna mess with a 49 yr old menopausal woman that just got off work dealing with 16 drama filled teenage girls...BRING IT ON BUTTHOLE!!!"... Q95 (my Rock station) would have feed that Janis... 

Anyway, back to the story... Hubby is keeping me calm, probably slightly excited about getting to grab one of his guns and taking the safety off... I have one then two cars following now that Pyscho allows to pass us one at a time... my brights are still on and I'm debating on calling 911 but don't want to hang up on Sergio.... as we approach my neighborhood (off this road) I make a quick right into it without giving the psycho a chance...
BUT PSYCHO has turned around and I see in my rear view mirror he is anticipating entering or waiting for me to exit... heart racing I fly into garage without the psycho following and Hubby is there to greet me with one of his guns ready... scared the stuffing out of me but really ticked me off too... Thankful this didn't happen to one of my girls although annie had a similar incident a couple years back . 
Now after having time to think it through, I really think it might have been some Nut trying to get me to hit him for insurance scam, and try to sue for ridiculous amounts of money.b I like that theory better than thinking he (or she) was just some Nutcase wanting to hurt me or toy with me. 
All is fine now although I surely am a little more edgy driving now, making sure everyone has plenty of space between vehicles! By the way, I counted 15 fresh skid marks were he tried to get me to hit him between that 2 mile stretch of road. 15! No wonder my heart was pounding so!


And I thought driving thru the ghetto near work was scary..

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Smile

I feel happy...

There are still some stressful moments.  We have a number of "oh my gosh", stuff going on... But I feel HAPPY.

There is something so powerful in a smile.  I try to smile often and pass a little smile.  You almost always get a smile back when you smile at someone.  It is contagious.

I am addicted to Pinterest.  Ifind myself often pulling it up to bring me up when feeling low.  I have a several "Boards" but the ones that bring me a smile most are these : A "Board" with my strange sense of humor, I have a "Board" with animals, and I have a "Board" titled "It's a small world" full (seriously close to 600 photographs of children).  I can't take credit for these beautiful photos and I so appreciate this sharing website of wonderful ideals, helpful hints, and wonderful photos.

Here are some smiles to share with you.
And my own Cutie Patooties
Have a wonderful smiley day!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Howdy Doody

I know I have been MIA for awhile.  I've had much to say, but need to be reserved.  I'm being censored so to speak, and to avoid being misunderstood or speaking of things before really thinking about it (hence my post a while back), I have been staying back in the shadows a bit.  Also, on a brighter note I have been wonderfully busy.

Work is still fabulous, although stressful.  I am so crazy about "my girls".  I'm a proud Momma of the young women they are and so grateful to be a small part of their lives.  They are patient with me as I continue to break the communication barrier.  My sign language has improved greatly, however my ASL stinks... Especially if you are asking my professor who is so frustrated with me and my old "English" habits.  I refuse to be a quitter and continue on (even through tears occasionally). I do think that I am learning everyday.  I just wish I could follow better and not miss so much of the conversations.  It is a struggle.  I do love my Boss! I could not ask for a more caring and wonderful person to work for.  She reminds me much of my friend Jill.  When I worked for Jill, she never made me feel inferior. I feel more of a team player than a worker bee.  My Boss is also very patient with my communication struggles and is very encouraging and supportive. I do believe that she is pleased with me and the job I am doing.  I hope to be working with her for years to come.  As the school year is wrapping up, the residential students are finishing up yet another year of education.  Making prom dates, practicing for the school play, busy with track and softball, and a few of my girls are preparing for graduation and what is to come.  I wrote a letter of recommendation for one of my girls as she anticipating getting accepted to RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology).  She is amazing and I am anxious to see her succeed. 
Speaking of ANXIOUS... soon we will know what Dorm we will be assigned for the coming Fall.  I am so hoping to remain with the High School Girls.  It will be a hard adjustment to have a new assignment.  Also I am in hopes that I will continue to work with the Co-Worker I currently have.  She is an incredible young woman that I greatly admire and have so enjoyed sharing the Dorm with.  We are a great team, and after some of the experiences we have had, I think we both feel pretty good together and hope to continue a team.

I am trying to secure a job for summer employment.  Trying to find a job for 8 weeks is not easy.  Our School schedule has changed, therefore, while many schools are on a different schedule, summer Nanny jobs are requiring employment through mid August, and I go back to ISD August 1st.  Being off sounds lovely but the fear of not getting those summer paychecks are too scary!

Hubby took Emily and Annie to Las Vegas this weekend.  He has business there this week and the girls are joining him for the weekend.  I considered going as well. However, I have been so Blessed to take so many trips with the girls and poor Hubby has not.  So, this was a wonderful opportunity for him to take them and enjoy a fast weekend with much to do.  They left yesterday.  Ms Emily hasn't been on a plane in about 6 years and was a tad nervous (it was Friday the 13th too).  Annie is more traveled, preparing to leave this summer for London.  Annie sent me this picture from the plane.
Splendid, isn't it?
It was a long flight with a layover in Phoenix.  They got there last night before 10pm, but with the time change, they gained 3 hours.     They got checked in at Bally's, grabbed dinner, and played some slots and looked around.  Today Hubby took them shopping.  Sounds like they all did well.  Emily found a dress, Annie shoes, and Hubby jeans.  I know they are having a blast. (Dad will spoil them and they so deserve to be spoiled alittle :)
Hubby just sent this to me.
Babies at Ceasars
Hoping they make at least one show while there.  So much to see in a short time.  Emily said its chilly so they haven't enjoyed the pool. Hopefully it will warm up!

Well, I hate to admit it... but I am enjoying the house to myself.  I have Pandora playing my golden oldies.  I have a fire in the fireplace. I'm cleaning, de-cluttering, purging, and catching up on Blog World.  Also pinning on Pinterest and nervous after reading a report on a favorite Blog of Pinterest in Jeopardy (copy write laws).. Please don't take my Pinterest away... People I have more than 50 boards and over 6,000 pins.  Yes, I have a bit of an obsession with it.  It's that great.  I hope to finish a couple of Pinterest projects this week while Hubby is away.  I'm also watching that goofy television programs Hubby would never watch with me.  Eating eggs for dinner, Capt'n Crunch for lunch and drinking a little wine too.  It's a mini vacation even though I am working too!

Which reminds me... I need to get some taxes done so I better go for now.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Dog Party

Must have been a great party :)

Felt I needed a fun post♥

Thursday, April 5, 2012

What SHE Has Taught My Daughters

As life goes, we often have people in our lives that are not exactly who you think they will be. 
Just because a person is a Parent,
doesn't mean they will be "parenting".
An Aunt may not be that doting person
she promised to be. 
The Cousin may end up becoming
your worse enemy.


 We don't really talk about them. We try to focus on those uplifting positive relatives.  The ones that made a difference.  Who wants to know the dirty laundry after all?

prespective
 But... maybe, if you look at things through a different perspective, you may realize that maybe, just maybe, that negative, ignorant or even cruel family member actually did some good, by wrongfully treating you.

 
There is a Person Of Interest {POI} that is in my family's lives. 
Over the years I have gone above and beyond to show respect and include her in our lives.  Where as she was never close to her sibling I married, I did all I could (and then some) to make her an important part of our family.
I took quite a beating from the get go.
She disapproved of my marrying her Brother.  She said I was removing him from the availability to other women of "their ethic background" that it was inappropriate for us to marry.  (need I remind her she married not one but two Caucasian men...she stepped outside of the Hispanic pool as well).
She disapproved of our choice to have children.  She very cruelly reminded me that with mental illness on both sides of our family trees I would be a fool to have children that could be so "messed up".  That I would surely have a child that was mentally unstable.
While she and my Husband continued to have disagreements and family challenges, I was the peace maker between them.  I even convinced my Hubby to allow her to be the Godmother of our oldest Child. A huge honor we do not take lightly.
Through out the past 25 years I have attempted to band aid situations between her and my family. 
I have taken her "advice" with a grain of salt.  I have given excuses for her behavior. And I have been as loving as I can be.  I shielded my daughters from most of her negativity, especially while growing up.
She showered my oldest with expensive extravagant gifts. My Emily has received Tiffany and Waterford Crystal during her childhood.  Sometimes a misunderstood item... when my 6 year old so wanted American Girl accessories and received a $70 wine glass.. she was as disappointed as a Child would be.  She did not understand that her Aunt was building up her finer things for when she grows up. {I did let her drink Kool Aid & Milk out of them.}  This Aunt would also send them to Annie, but Annie never got two matching glasses, every year it would be a different pattern of mismatched Waterford Crystal.
She constantly made extravagant promises to my daughters..
"When you are in Junior High I am taking you to Europe! So much for a young girl to see here!".  never happened.
 "You are so beautiful, I must get you into modeling!".  I signed them up doing small gigs with Parisians, Talbot's For Kids, and they worked a Wedding Show, modeling Flower Girl, and mini bridesmaids dresses.  All of which this Aunt never once attended as they were "small potatoes".  Although my Girls LOVED the runway and had a wonderful experience doing small potatoes.  The promises to take them to New York, get a portfolio and auditions, ended up going to their cousin... as a confusing show of punishment to my Daughters because of a disagreement with her Brother.
"When you graduate, I will pay for your college! As I do not have children of my own and want to see you success." This one, we foolishly believed as it was drilled into our heads from the day the Girls were born. Yet never a dime. Don't get me wrong... I should not expect financial help like that, however, was brainwashed into thinking she was going to follow through with this one at least to her Goddaughter.  I suspect that also went to a Cousin..

As my Daughters grew up, when we attended family functions, I was distressed at the amount of things their Aunt expected them to do.. serve, clean, etc.  I would put my foot down, especially seeing them ordered to carry alcohol beverages to people. 

As my Youngest, became clearly gifted in the writing and journalism field, she was forced to assist with some work on a ever so precious book Auntie has been working on for many years.  I don't think this was ever appreciated or my Daughter was even thanked.

 
Sometimes it's difficult to see what is happening when you are being taken advantage of by someone you love.  While my Oldest started to see through her ways and refused to be taken advantaged of.  My Youngest just wanted her love and wanted to understand the lack of love and respect that Auntie gave.  She never understood why she was treated the worst of the cousins when she gave them most. Her tears were the hardest to soothe.

As my Daughters matured and became Adults, they slowly started seeing things for what they are.  We no longer made them go to "family Functions".  In fact, we were finding it best to avoid certain situations.  I stopped making excuses, but continued to show and demand respect shown to my daughters elders.  My Daughters are rather etiquette and I am so proud of their ability to show class and hold their own.

While as they have received some rather nice things from this Aunt... all they ever really wanted was some love... some attention.. and some genuine relationship that did not require a pay back of sorts. To have her attend a Cheer Competition, a Game,a Recital, a Play or school program, or even Graduation..any of the many she was invited too. Or even showing an interest.

Now that my Girls have become adults, I can say this.
My Daughters have learned the importance of keeping your word.
They have learned the importance of treating those as you wish to be treated...
They have gained the knowledge that money doesn't buy you everything...
And they have learned that you should show respect to those that you want to show you respect.

My daughters have learned a few things of what not to do as well...
I am quite sure that my Daughters will never treat each other
the way they see Auntie treat her Siblings.
My daughters will never make their once upon a time nieces
feel anything but greatness and love. 
They will continue to be gracious and kind. 
They will never break promises or make promises that will come with a price.
They will never try to pit one against anotherplaying power struggles
 as they have seen first handed how destructive this can be.

I have never said or done anything cruel to this POI. I have only said kind words to her, and I am not one to talk behind someones back {okay maybe a word or two to a Bestie or Hubby}..   But lately POI has crossed a line or two or three.  while she is feuding with her siblings, she has name dropped me more than once.  I have stayed out of this Family Feud.  HOWEVER... she threw a zinger about Janis better not BLOG about me... hmmmmmmmmmm never had, though I never would, until she said that.  It really doesn't matter that I am. She will not see it. My Blog is not worthy of her reading, she doesn't think I am interesting or a writer.  Which is fineeeeeeeeeeee with me.  I don't want followers that do not enjoy reading my thoughts.

So instead of regret and wishing this POI did not hurt my daughters so much.  I guess, taken with that grain of salt, I feel a slight relief that my Girls have learned a few lessons.  Lessons on how to treat those you love and what not to do as well.
I do feel better.  I little glass of White Zinf with a Laptop in hand can be quite satisfying.