I love my momma!

This is a picture of my mom.  There are lots of pictures I could choose from but this one makes me happy.  This picture was taken at my niece's 5th birthday party.  On that day I was in charge of face painting.  My mom was the first one to sit in the chair and get a lovely ladybug painted on her face.  It is indicative of the way that she lived her life for us as kids.  We didn't have a lot of money but we always had games, laughter,  and music.  She always jumped in with us and played with us.

I love my mom very much.  I feel blessed to be her daughter.  She has taught me so much about how to live and love.

Happy Mother's Day Melissa Agosto-Cruz!  I love you.

Frank conversation

I have to admit that it makes me feel good when I am able to have a frank conversation with my family about uncomfortable things.

Today I had a conversation with my mom about living will and funeral preparations and stuff like that.  No one is dying.  This is not a conversation that was prompted by any imminent danger.  I just think it is important.  I think everyone should prepare and should have their wishes in writing.

Lots of people seem to think this is a morbid conversation...I think it is practical and important.  I am glad that my mom is open to having these conversations.  There are too many things that people don't talk about.  Too many things that go left unsaid in our lives.  I'm glad to have been able to have a real conversation about something important.

A very happy Christmas

It was really nice to go home and see my family.  I have missed my mom.  Christmas is a good time at my house because all of the petty squabbling and stuff is put aside.  We have always taken the Christmas holiday as a way to be happy with each other's company and to indulge in small pleasures.  It is something that I am trying to do more often now.

Growing up we never had money but we always had music, laughter and games.  It is the thing that we return to every holiday.  We put aside all the strife and the pain and the struggle and remember the small things that bring us joy and join our family. 

We colored in coloring books with Annalisse.  We played Yahtzee.  We watched Iron Chef America.  We had Jello shots.  We laughed.  We danced around to all types of music.  We ate good food.  We baked.  It was a really wonderful time.

My family is struggling and it makes me sad. I do what I can for them.  I love them dearly.

I am very grateful for having them in my life and for the gift of laughter.  Despite everything going on in the world, in our lives - we always found ways to laugh. 

I was reminded this Christmas of this gift that my mother gave me.  It is something I hold precious and dear to my heart. 

It was a very happy Christmas indeed.

Thanksgiving recap

It is Monday and back to the daily grind of work.  I will admit that I feel like I need a bit of a break after this Thanksgiving break.  It was a successful first hosting of the thanksgiving dinner, but boy was it tiring.  13 people, tons of food, two days of cooking....but over all good times.

My niece helping to mash the egg for the potato salad.

Thanksgiving morning "breakfast" spread of bread, butter & cheese.  

My glorious niece in her Thanksgiving Dress.

My first Turkey!  It came out really good.

Family - aunt, niece, sister, brother, stepfather & sister's friend.  Mom and I don't really do pictures. 

I stand...

Such a BUSY, BUSY 3.5 days.  Cooking..family..Re-energizer...

I am ...tired. sore.  fulfilled.  proud.  inspired.  hopeful.

There has been so much to be joyful and thankful about.  Right now, I am excited about going to sleep and not waking up to an alarm clock.

On that note, one of the amazing things about this weekend was a new CD of SLTP music and the below song was the first.  It is "I Stand" by Idina Menzel...

I stand for the power to change.  I live for the perfect day.  I love til it hurts like crazy. I pray for a hero to save me.  I stand for the strange and lonely.  I believe there's a better place.  I don't know if the sky is heaven but I pray anyway...



"I Stand"

When you ask me, who I am:
What is my vision? And do I have a plan?
Where is my strength? Have I nothing to say?
I hear the words in my head, but I push them away.

'Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

And I don't know
What tomorrow brings
The road less traveled
Will it set us free?
Cause we are taking it slow,
These tiny legacies.
I don't try and change the world;
But what will you make of me?

'Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

With the slightest of breezes
We fall just like leaves
As the rain washes us from the ground
We forget who we are
We can't see in the dark
And we quickly get lost in the crowd

'Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
'Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there's a better place.
I don't know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

I'm hosting

Thanksgiving this year!  yay!

I got the phone call from my mom this morning confirming that the family is on their way up to Hanover for Thanksgiving deliciousness.

I am not sure why I am excited about this, but for some reason it makes me happy.  I wonder if i will feel the same after they have been here.  The other funny thing about this is that I can't actually host ANYONE at my own house, I mean I can barely fit 4 people in my apartment, so I am hosting Thanksgiving at my BFF's house.  He's won't be here and he has such a lovely kitchen.

woo-hoo for thanksgiving & a generous friend with a lovely home.