Saturday, December 29, 2012
Snowy Day
What a great snowy day! It is beautiful to watch it come down and pile up. Realizing I am not the one to clean up the snow it does not make me grumpy. I am sure my husband sees it and cringes. Someday our little fellas will be old enough to really help with that chore, but for now I am content to sit back and enjoy the wintery wonderland outside. I am sitting here typing while sipping homemade eggnog and looking out my back yard window. Sigh. This is a great way to relax on a Saturday afternoon. I am very thankful for this moment as I know the new year will jump start our family schedule into our typical crazy routine until we unwind in the summer. So for now, cheers: to snow, to eggnog, to fluffy blankets and good books to read as I snuggle on the couch.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Holiday Rush
Woo-wee! I braved the mad holiday shopping rush today with my biggest guy Noah and thankfully we came home in one piece! :-) It was a great learning experience for him as far as running into so many folks asking for donations for their specific causes. We not only saw many Salvation Army kettles and bell ringers, but a fire department was out at one of the large shopping centers in full force. It gave me an opportunity to explain about the season of giving in a new way as my 7 year old was all ears. Then he had the chance to be a giver as he got to give money to one of the charities. It really seemed to make his day. I can only hope he continues to understand and demonstrate generosity as he grows.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Hustle and Bustle
Well, tomorrow is December 1st and I feel like I am not really ready for Christmas. I have not felt so far behind with my holiday shopping. Ever. As my kiddos are growing up it is seemingly more difficult to know what to really buy them. I feel like Santa brings them what they want, then after one or two rounds of playing that toy is history. They really collect more dust than anything unless I am rearranging their location, giving them more play time than they have seen in weeks. I am certain I am not alone as I am trying to find the perfect gifts to please the family and my wallet. Yet, it still has me a little distraught. I am sincerely hoping that as December arrives in a few hours that the "Christmas Spirit" will magically take over and lift my worries as I get swept up in seasonal festivities.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
I am a very blessed woman! As I sit an reflect on this Thanksgiving and the years that have past I am amazed at the experiences I have had in these 35 years.
I am thankful for a full childhood, and parents that loved me unconditionally. I think as I have a family of my own I can appreciate their love, sacrifices, and service more than ever.
I am thankful for my 'baby' sister and the relationship we have, how it has matured into a terrific friendship.
I am thankful for my husband and our 19 years together (dating and married...we count them all). It is hard to believe I have known and been with him over half my life! What would I do without him???
I am thankful for our children in so many ways. How they have taught me a new kind of love. How they keep me grounded. How they keep me humbled by their gift of love.
I am thankful for friendship and the encouragement it offers when I am in need.
I could continue my list, but I am content with what I have shared.
I am one thankful woman!
I am a very blessed woman! As I sit an reflect on this Thanksgiving and the years that have past I am amazed at the experiences I have had in these 35 years.
I am thankful for a full childhood, and parents that loved me unconditionally. I think as I have a family of my own I can appreciate their love, sacrifices, and service more than ever.
I am thankful for my 'baby' sister and the relationship we have, how it has matured into a terrific friendship.
I am thankful for my husband and our 19 years together (dating and married...we count them all). It is hard to believe I have known and been with him over half my life! What would I do without him???
I am thankful for our children in so many ways. How they have taught me a new kind of love. How they keep me grounded. How they keep me humbled by their gift of love.
I am thankful for friendship and the encouragement it offers when I am in need.
I could continue my list, but I am content with what I have shared.
I am one thankful woman!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Long Time No See...
Ahh, I have missed my blog! It has been months since I have posted and I need to get back into writing so here I am. It is time for new ideas to flourish and my mind to put them on 'paper'.
I have just spent the last time "Twisting and Shouting" with my intermediate music students and have been so pleasantly surprised at their new found love of Rock 'n Roll. Using the Beatles version of the song "Twist and Shout" they have helped me to rekindle my listening taste-buds to the 'oldies' proving why these classic songs will never die. It is amazing how much music has changed in the past 60 plus years. Some genres have been great discoveries other (in my opinion of course) could be left far behind and I would be a happy camper.
Cheers to you John, Paul, George, and Ringo for enlightening the younger generations for decades with your classic sound and delivery in the spirit of Rock 'n Roll!
I have just spent the last time "Twisting and Shouting" with my intermediate music students and have been so pleasantly surprised at their new found love of Rock 'n Roll. Using the Beatles version of the song "Twist and Shout" they have helped me to rekindle my listening taste-buds to the 'oldies' proving why these classic songs will never die. It is amazing how much music has changed in the past 60 plus years. Some genres have been great discoveries other (in my opinion of course) could be left far behind and I would be a happy camper.
Cheers to you John, Paul, George, and Ringo for enlightening the younger generations for decades with your classic sound and delivery in the spirit of Rock 'n Roll!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Undert the Trees
Under the Trees by J. Hillard
Tall trees surrounded my house. My childhood home was at the end of a culd-a-sac and engulfed by the forest at the bottom of a mountain. During the lazy, hazy days of summer I would walk through my yard and explore the trees that kept our home cool under their generous canopy.
During one of my morning explorations I remember finding a nest of kittens. I call it a nest because as I remember I heard a mewing from a bush at the base of several trees. While crawling on my knees to discover the source of this pitiful cry I lifted the branches to see several kittens huddled together, their eyes barely open. They laid on a nest of old fall leaves as their noses lifted in the air to smell the intruder.
I should have backed up and late nature take its course, yet I could not. I knew these tiny cries would only continue to the point of haunting me in my sleep. All through grade school I loved to save animals that I found to be in need. Usually it was a bird or a bunny. I would put them in a box filled with towels, water, and food. Doing my best to nurse these creatures back to health. Although I was now a little older, the part of me that wanted to help the helpless had only grown stronger. I knew if I played Mamma to these kittens at least a few of them may survive to become more than a stray field cat.
Would my Dad allow me to keep one? Perhaps even two? I doubted it. He disliked cats, that fact I knew without even having to ask. He never had a pet as a child, and that was fine by him. My decision was made. I would save the kittens, or at least do my best.
A few days had passed and the three surviving kittens from the litter were doing well. I had hid the box for the first day. The muffled mews of the kittens gave away our secret before too long and with delight I was allowed to move the box inside the house for a few days. My parents knew my intentions were good, but my dad dreaded my disappointment if the kittens died. He also dreaded having to tell me I could not keep them if they survived. I had overheard that statement made to my mother one evening after dinner.
Two weeks passed. I was down to two kittens. The smallest one, I had named him Sam, had died at the end of the first week. I cried as I buried him. His brother and sister also cried for him. I just knew it from their sad mews that could be heard through the house for the next few days.
Three weeks passed. Ellie and Jack were growing and becoming very mischievous in their play. Pawing at each other and any willing combatant. I would just laugh at their antics. On the day that marked twenty-five days with my family my Dad told me that we would be taking the kittens to the animal shelter the next morning. I cried and begged for the life of my sweet kittens. He was firm and unbending. I hardly slept that night as I hugged the box protectively. I didn’t care if I was reprimanded, my babies slept in my bed that night.
The next morning there was no sunshine. That was a fitting scene I remember thinking as I looked out my bedroom window. My Dad gave me a hug as I walked Ellie and Jack to the car all bundled up in their cozy box. The drive to the animal shelter seemed endless, although it was probably only fifteen minuets away from our country home. We pulled up to the shelter and I could not believe my eyes. The sign on the door read CLOSED.
I did not turn to see the look on my Dad’s face. I knew it would have been a mistake after hearing his gruff sigh at the sight of the sign. At first I was afraid to smile, but after several moments I could not help myself. I kept glancing in the box all the while grinning from ear to ear. I could feel the tension from my Dad, but I did not care. They were mine. I knew he would not make that trip again. I just knew it.
The car pulled into the drive way and I saw my Mom in the front yard replanting some flowers. I ran out of the car, never letting go of the box, and exclaimed my joy of the shelter being closed. My Mom just stood up and chuckled as she looked at my Dad’s solemn face.
Tall trees surrounded my house. My childhood home was at the end of a culd-a-sac and engulfed by the forest at the bottom of a mountain. During the lazy, hazy days of summer I would walk through my yard and explore the trees that kept our home cool under their generous canopy.
During one of my morning explorations I remember finding a nest of kittens. I call it a nest because as I remember I heard a mewing from a bush at the base of several trees. While crawling on my knees to discover the source of this pitiful cry I lifted the branches to see several kittens huddled together, their eyes barely open. They laid on a nest of old fall leaves as their noses lifted in the air to smell the intruder.
I should have backed up and late nature take its course, yet I could not. I knew these tiny cries would only continue to the point of haunting me in my sleep. All through grade school I loved to save animals that I found to be in need. Usually it was a bird or a bunny. I would put them in a box filled with towels, water, and food. Doing my best to nurse these creatures back to health. Although I was now a little older, the part of me that wanted to help the helpless had only grown stronger. I knew if I played Mamma to these kittens at least a few of them may survive to become more than a stray field cat.
Would my Dad allow me to keep one? Perhaps even two? I doubted it. He disliked cats, that fact I knew without even having to ask. He never had a pet as a child, and that was fine by him. My decision was made. I would save the kittens, or at least do my best.
A few days had passed and the three surviving kittens from the litter were doing well. I had hid the box for the first day. The muffled mews of the kittens gave away our secret before too long and with delight I was allowed to move the box inside the house for a few days. My parents knew my intentions were good, but my dad dreaded my disappointment if the kittens died. He also dreaded having to tell me I could not keep them if they survived. I had overheard that statement made to my mother one evening after dinner.
Two weeks passed. I was down to two kittens. The smallest one, I had named him Sam, had died at the end of the first week. I cried as I buried him. His brother and sister also cried for him. I just knew it from their sad mews that could be heard through the house for the next few days.
Three weeks passed. Ellie and Jack were growing and becoming very mischievous in their play. Pawing at each other and any willing combatant. I would just laugh at their antics. On the day that marked twenty-five days with my family my Dad told me that we would be taking the kittens to the animal shelter the next morning. I cried and begged for the life of my sweet kittens. He was firm and unbending. I hardly slept that night as I hugged the box protectively. I didn’t care if I was reprimanded, my babies slept in my bed that night.
The next morning there was no sunshine. That was a fitting scene I remember thinking as I looked out my bedroom window. My Dad gave me a hug as I walked Ellie and Jack to the car all bundled up in their cozy box. The drive to the animal shelter seemed endless, although it was probably only fifteen minuets away from our country home. We pulled up to the shelter and I could not believe my eyes. The sign on the door read CLOSED.
I did not turn to see the look on my Dad’s face. I knew it would have been a mistake after hearing his gruff sigh at the sight of the sign. At first I was afraid to smile, but after several moments I could not help myself. I kept glancing in the box all the while grinning from ear to ear. I could feel the tension from my Dad, but I did not care. They were mine. I knew he would not make that trip again. I just knew it.
The car pulled into the drive way and I saw my Mom in the front yard replanting some flowers. I ran out of the car, never letting go of the box, and exclaimed my joy of the shelter being closed. My Mom just stood up and chuckled as she looked at my Dad’s solemn face.
Mommy Do You...?
Mommy, Do You...? by J. Hillard
Mommy, do you love my nose?
Yes, I love your nose. It is as cute as a button.
Mommy, do you love my fingers?
Yes, I love your fingers. They lace perfectly into mine.
Mommy, do you love toes?
Yes, I love your toes. They wiggle when you are happy.
Mommy, do you love my armpit?
Yes, I love your armpit. Your laughter rings when I give you a tickle.
Mommy, do you love both my armpits?
Yes, I love both armpits. I can see them when you fly like a superhero.
Mommy, do you love my belly?
Yes, I love your belly. It is the perfect place for a bezerpa.
Mommy, do you love my eyes?
Yes, I love your eyes. They twinkle when you smile.
Thanks Mom. Sigh.
Mommy, do you love my nose?
Yes, I love your nose. It is as cute as a button.
Mommy, do you love my fingers?
Yes, I love your fingers. They lace perfectly into mine.
Mommy, do you love toes?
Yes, I love your toes. They wiggle when you are happy.
Mommy, do you love my armpit?
Yes, I love your armpit. Your laughter rings when I give you a tickle.
Mommy, do you love both my armpits?
Yes, I love both armpits. I can see them when you fly like a superhero.
Mommy, do you love my belly?
Yes, I love your belly. It is the perfect place for a bezerpa.
Mommy, do you love my eyes?
Yes, I love your eyes. They twinkle when you smile.
Thanks Mom. Sigh.
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