A Baptist Church somewhere in North Carolina:
"Don't Give Up! Moses was once a Basket Case"
And my favorite Baptist Church that I pass everyday:
"May I suggest a good book for your summer reading?"
~ God
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Memorial Day Weekend
This forgotten Blog. Life has been crazy there is just too much going on! The one thing about living at the beach is visitors. My Mother came down the weekend before Mother's Day, my Mother-in-law was here the weekend after Mother's Day and my sister is visiting again, this time for 10 days. My brother-in-law is coming with his wife next weekend. So if anybody else would like to make reservations at Casa Marley it must be done soon, July 31 is our last day in the house and the month of July will be spent packing/organizing/pulling our hair out, etc. Although we will still be living at the beach, just a different one, so reservations can be made at the "new" beach beginning August 15th.
What a whirlwind of a weekend! Friday I secured a job, a place to live and saw a new "Words of Wisdom" it's the best yet and will be posted before the weeks end. Saturday, Marley and I went to the beach. The weather was gorgeous and hot but I could not convince her to get her feet wet. I can't really blame her, the water is freezing!
Marley is entering a hording phase. She must sleep with as many stuffed animals and toys that can fit in her crib, still allowing room for her to lay down. At the beach she MUST carry, her sand shovel, various toys, a sippy cup and pick up every single seashell (broken or not). Oh and Mom can not help her carry a single item, she must do this herself. Inevitably she dropped most of the items along the way, even the sippy cup that landed in the ocean and was rescued by a brave swimmer. I was allowed to carry the sippy cup after that incident.
Sunday morning was spent cooking various meals for Marley, in an attempt to get veggies inside of her. Among the hording phase, she has also decided that nothing suits her palette unless it is cheese, bananas or peanut butter. Thankfully, she did not turn up her nose to the broccoli, chicken, cheddar nuggets I made.
Sunday evening Marley went to a babysitter for the first time. The babysitter was one of the teachers at her daycare, someone Marley knew, but it was still a little traumatizing for Mom and Dad. For four hours I got to be the old me. It felt great, the trauma of dropping her off at a babysitter wore off very quickly! We had tickets to see Government Mule play in an outdoor setting. It was wonderful, it was fabulous and the weather could not have been more perfect. I picked Marley up from the babysitter at 9 p.m. and she slept until 8:30 the next morning. I could not have asked for a better scenario than that.
Monday was yet another gorgeous day so Marley and I had to go to the beach again. This time Mom remembered to bring a bucket for all the seashells, toys and sand shovel. Marley was yet again apprehensive about the waves. I still could not blame her too much the water was freezing. I did decide that she needed to get her feet wet (literally, ha ha). I started kicking, skipping and splashing in the water, Marley enjoyed watching me but she insisted on staying in the dry sand...until we found a tidal pool. That was it Marley found heaven. She jumped, skipped, splashed and then found the courage to try out the waves. The rest of the time at the beach was spent chasing Marley who was literally trying to drown herself. No more resting quietly on the beach for Mom. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to show her how much fun the waves can be after all.
Being a relatively new Mom, I see the world very differently than I did before. There is a sense of pride and sheer happiness when your child is bringing joy to strangers who are merely observing your child exploring and at play. What surprised me the two times at the beach this past weekend was the fact that it was not the "Grandmother" types that were cooing over her, it was late teens/early twenties boys! There was one in particular that was playing in the surf on his skim board that stopped to watch Marley. He had a silly grin on his face and I thought to myself what a great Dad this guy is going to make someday.
Happy belated Memorial Day weekend!
What a whirlwind of a weekend! Friday I secured a job, a place to live and saw a new "Words of Wisdom" it's the best yet and will be posted before the weeks end. Saturday, Marley and I went to the beach. The weather was gorgeous and hot but I could not convince her to get her feet wet. I can't really blame her, the water is freezing!
Marley is entering a hording phase. She must sleep with as many stuffed animals and toys that can fit in her crib, still allowing room for her to lay down. At the beach she MUST carry, her sand shovel, various toys, a sippy cup and pick up every single seashell (broken or not). Oh and Mom can not help her carry a single item, she must do this herself. Inevitably she dropped most of the items along the way, even the sippy cup that landed in the ocean and was rescued by a brave swimmer. I was allowed to carry the sippy cup after that incident.
Sunday morning was spent cooking various meals for Marley, in an attempt to get veggies inside of her. Among the hording phase, she has also decided that nothing suits her palette unless it is cheese, bananas or peanut butter. Thankfully, she did not turn up her nose to the broccoli, chicken, cheddar nuggets I made.
Sunday evening Marley went to a babysitter for the first time. The babysitter was one of the teachers at her daycare, someone Marley knew, but it was still a little traumatizing for Mom and Dad. For four hours I got to be the old me. It felt great, the trauma of dropping her off at a babysitter wore off very quickly! We had tickets to see Government Mule play in an outdoor setting. It was wonderful, it was fabulous and the weather could not have been more perfect. I picked Marley up from the babysitter at 9 p.m. and she slept until 8:30 the next morning. I could not have asked for a better scenario than that.
Monday was yet another gorgeous day so Marley and I had to go to the beach again. This time Mom remembered to bring a bucket for all the seashells, toys and sand shovel. Marley was yet again apprehensive about the waves. I still could not blame her too much the water was freezing. I did decide that she needed to get her feet wet (literally, ha ha). I started kicking, skipping and splashing in the water, Marley enjoyed watching me but she insisted on staying in the dry sand...until we found a tidal pool. That was it Marley found heaven. She jumped, skipped, splashed and then found the courage to try out the waves. The rest of the time at the beach was spent chasing Marley who was literally trying to drown herself. No more resting quietly on the beach for Mom. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to show her how much fun the waves can be after all.
Being a relatively new Mom, I see the world very differently than I did before. There is a sense of pride and sheer happiness when your child is bringing joy to strangers who are merely observing your child exploring and at play. What surprised me the two times at the beach this past weekend was the fact that it was not the "Grandmother" types that were cooing over her, it was late teens/early twenties boys! There was one in particular that was playing in the surf on his skim board that stopped to watch Marley. He had a silly grin on his face and I thought to myself what a great Dad this guy is going to make someday.
Happy belated Memorial Day weekend!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The end of another era
If Mississippi wore her New Jersey what would Delaware?
My Grandmother would always repeat that when I was a child.
My Grandmother passed away yesterday morning, she was 96. She led such a beautiful life and I am going to miss her so much. She was such an inspiration to me and such an influence in my life. I am so lucky to have had her as my Grandmother.
I have no doubt that I will be blogging about her a lot in the weeks to come. She was truly an amazing woman.
My Grandmother would always repeat that when I was a child.
My Grandmother passed away yesterday morning, she was 96. She led such a beautiful life and I am going to miss her so much. She was such an inspiration to me and such an influence in my life. I am so lucky to have had her as my Grandmother.
I have no doubt that I will be blogging about her a lot in the weeks to come. She was truly an amazing woman.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A Celebration of Life
My Mother has a farm in a valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This valley has remarkably been left untouched by the urban sprawl that surrounds it. I have fond memories of this valley, it's always been home, a place we would return to after all of our overseas travels.
I spent a portion of my childhood there. It's where I learned how to ride horses, my bike, play tennis and build forts in the woods. It's a mystical place where the aromas of spring envelop each hill, where the haze of summer give the mountains a mystical feel, the bold colors of fall feel as though you have entered a painting and the snow of winter blankets the mountains with a soft and quiet touch.
There have been a lot neighbors that have come and gone through the years but there have been a few that have made the valley their permanent home and a comforting and familiar place for me to return. As you enter the valley there is a little red house on the right where Ol' Mr. Dawson lives. You would see him every day working in his garden or simply sitting on his porch, his cane by his side. Mr. Dawson passed away several years ago and was replaced by his son who is now older in years and just like his Father works in his garden every summer and is seen sitting in his porch with his cane. As you make your way down the windy country road you will find a cemetary with headstones of the people that have given this valley it's history. Oh the stories I wish they could tell! Keep going and about a mile later you will come to my Mom's farm a gorgeous place that I wish everyone could visit. Further down you will come to a "T" interesection where three sisters live. Their family has lived in this house for many generations and are very dear to my heart. These are just a few that make this valley rich with wonderful memories and give it the uniqueness and charm that simply does not exist elsewhere.
Across the road from my Mother's, there is another farm where the family has lived for two generations now. It's a farm, fully equipped with grapevines, a pond and a tennis court and where I learned to play tennis. I have fond memories of Heirloom. Which brings me to the story of Charlie.
Charlie is a fabulous musician. An eccentric man who is a truly gifted artist. He has such a love for life, his music, truly loves the people that have come in and out of his life over the years. I feel truly lucky to have had him as my neighbor as a child and a friend now that I am an adult.
I saw Charlie last August. I was visiting my Mother and decided I needed a Charlie fix. Charlie and I had a good chat and as usual the time flew. When I was getting ready to leave he handed me a couple of cd's of his music. I have thoroughly enjoyed and treasure these cds.
I'm sad to say that Charlie passed away last Thursday which leaves my heart heavy today. I never e-mailed him to tell him how much I enjoy his music. Truly my loss.
Today is his 53rd birthday. Happy birthday Charlie and to your twin brother Jim. To everyone who was more fortunate than I to be an everyday companion to Charlie, I'd like to say my thoughts and prayers are nowhere else but with you today.
Here's one of Charlie's songs for you to enjoy
I spent a portion of my childhood there. It's where I learned how to ride horses, my bike, play tennis and build forts in the woods. It's a mystical place where the aromas of spring envelop each hill, where the haze of summer give the mountains a mystical feel, the bold colors of fall feel as though you have entered a painting and the snow of winter blankets the mountains with a soft and quiet touch.
There have been a lot neighbors that have come and gone through the years but there have been a few that have made the valley their permanent home and a comforting and familiar place for me to return. As you enter the valley there is a little red house on the right where Ol' Mr. Dawson lives. You would see him every day working in his garden or simply sitting on his porch, his cane by his side. Mr. Dawson passed away several years ago and was replaced by his son who is now older in years and just like his Father works in his garden every summer and is seen sitting in his porch with his cane. As you make your way down the windy country road you will find a cemetary with headstones of the people that have given this valley it's history. Oh the stories I wish they could tell! Keep going and about a mile later you will come to my Mom's farm a gorgeous place that I wish everyone could visit. Further down you will come to a "T" interesection where three sisters live. Their family has lived in this house for many generations and are very dear to my heart. These are just a few that make this valley rich with wonderful memories and give it the uniqueness and charm that simply does not exist elsewhere.
Across the road from my Mother's, there is another farm where the family has lived for two generations now. It's a farm, fully equipped with grapevines, a pond and a tennis court and where I learned to play tennis. I have fond memories of Heirloom. Which brings me to the story of Charlie.
Charlie is a fabulous musician. An eccentric man who is a truly gifted artist. He has such a love for life, his music, truly loves the people that have come in and out of his life over the years. I feel truly lucky to have had him as my neighbor as a child and a friend now that I am an adult.
I saw Charlie last August. I was visiting my Mother and decided I needed a Charlie fix. Charlie and I had a good chat and as usual the time flew. When I was getting ready to leave he handed me a couple of cd's of his music. I have thoroughly enjoyed and treasure these cds.
I'm sad to say that Charlie passed away last Thursday which leaves my heart heavy today. I never e-mailed him to tell him how much I enjoy his music. Truly my loss.
Today is his 53rd birthday. Happy birthday Charlie and to your twin brother Jim. To everyone who was more fortunate than I to be an everyday companion to Charlie, I'd like to say my thoughts and prayers are nowhere else but with you today.
Here's one of Charlie's songs for you to enjoy
I'll SeeYou Again
So many years are passing right before my eyes
So many roads I might have taken
But the rides been a good one living it day to day
Of all the good things
I'm glad you came my way
*************
Chorus
I trusted you and
you never let me down and
it's lovely
you turned my life around
I'll see you again
I know where I'm going and
I know where I've been
Today or tomorrow
Good times and sorrow
I'll see you again
**********
A river rushes through the canyon
slows into the wild
Almost still it seems so peaceful
But the power in the journey
Makes it deeper atthe end
Never thought I'd make it
I'm glad you've been my friend
Chorus
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Words of Wisdom
This is the same Baptist Church that I pass everyday taking Marley to daycare. They haven't had anything funny lately, I've been a little disappointed because I truly enjoy the giggles. So here you go....
"Don't make me come down there" ~ God
"Don't make me come down there" ~ God
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Marley the next Houdini or a Circus Clown
Marley is quit a toddler these days. I read that children really reach the "terrible twos" at 18 months and so far I see what they mean. Lucky for me she has not had too many tantrums but she is a strong willed child. Life has become interesting between discipline and trying to supress the urge to burst out laughing.
Stunt #1: The dryer. Our laundry room is around the corner from the kitchen. Our dryer is a front loader. I was doing the dishes and saw Marley go into the laundry room. I had the Motherly instinct saying she's up to something... so I peeked around the corner and what did I see? Nothing, absolutely nothing and that nothing included Marley. It took me a moment when I realized she was in the dryer, with the door shut. When I opened the door to get her out she squealed with delight that I had found her.
Stunt#2: We have a tall end table between the sofa and the wall. I was in the kitchen again, this time trying to make her dinner. I looked over and she had climbed onto the table, was standing on it and did a belly flop onto the sofa. Again, she squealed with delight and started climbing back onto the side table. Again another big no, no. I went over to grab her off the table and right before I could get her she tried her belly flop again, this time she missed. Half of her hit the sofa and the other half rolled onto the floor. I panicked a little and picked her up. She was fine, in fact she was laughing and wanted to do it again.
This child is giving me gray hairs.....
Stunt #1: The dryer. Our laundry room is around the corner from the kitchen. Our dryer is a front loader. I was doing the dishes and saw Marley go into the laundry room. I had the Motherly instinct saying she's up to something... so I peeked around the corner and what did I see? Nothing, absolutely nothing and that nothing included Marley. It took me a moment when I realized she was in the dryer, with the door shut. When I opened the door to get her out she squealed with delight that I had found her.
Stunt#2: We have a tall end table between the sofa and the wall. I was in the kitchen again, this time trying to make her dinner. I looked over and she had climbed onto the table, was standing on it and did a belly flop onto the sofa. Again, she squealed with delight and started climbing back onto the side table. Again another big no, no. I went over to grab her off the table and right before I could get her she tried her belly flop again, this time she missed. Half of her hit the sofa and the other half rolled onto the floor. I panicked a little and picked her up. She was fine, in fact she was laughing and wanted to do it again.
This child is giving me gray hairs.....
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