First Do No Harm

Friday, May 24, 2013

Forever Young

Once upon a time I was old as the 'S' word. No, no...the other 'S' word, sixyt. Ugh. I've changed my mind...it's a woman's prerogative don't ya know? I've decided to remain...'Forever Twenty One'. It's really a pretty nice age. You can legally consume any beverage of your choosing. Voting was legalized for eighteen year olds way back when I was first close to that age. Movies of all ratings are allowed for my viewing. It was pointed out to me if I choose to remain 'Forever Twenty One' I won't be allowed to rent a car. Twenty five is the age for renting cars it seems. Isn't that what my date of the last forty one years is supposed to do? This is us when I wasn't quite yet 'Forever Twenty One' we were newlyweds, I turned that delightful and forever age about five months after this picture was taken!

Last Sunday I celebrated my 'Forever Twenty One' birthday. Again. Adult children and my darling grandchildren joined us at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. This restaurant has a separate party room. We noticed it even had an extra table we will be able to use once Daniel Son and our lovely Daughter-in-Love Laura have the twins! Daniel and Laura were the only missing members of the family, but she is busy incubating those precious babies and sooooo very close to their 'birthday', they remained home in Virginia. That's gonna be some great news!

We did have your other favorites present though...

After dinner we headed back to the old family homestead for cake and ice cream and presents. There may have been some piano playing and block building going on. Baby dolls and cars and puzzles may have taken over the floor. But you didn't hear that from me!

The piano has been discovered by Kate...

...it's like a magnet to the girls...

And then there were three!

A little rearranging...

Kate and Grace deciding if they like the new arrangement...

Kate making sure she has a captive audience...

Then some serious tunes were played...

We had a lovely fais do do...that's N'Awlins speak for a party, and soon everyone headed home.
I've decided I really do like being 'Forever Twenty One'! Happy Birthday to Me!

Loves~Loves~Loves~

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day

Mom and my Birthday Boy

Mother's Day is an emotional mine field for me. I have five beautiful grown adult children I cherish. I love being their mother. I went into labor with my first born child on Mother's Day. It was all very exciting and I've always considered Mother's Day sort of 'our' day. When his birthday and Mother's Day are on the same day I still do. My grandchildren enhance all the joys of motherhood. It's not just a Hallmark day, it is a day to celebrate and hold dear those that are the reason for having Mother's Day.

This all changed for me the year my Mother passed away. I thought I was doing fine. I planned a low key family gathering...I didn't want my kids to feel they had lost both their Gramma and Momma at the same time. What I wasn't expecting was the full blown, knock me to my knees feeling I had when I turned the corner in the grocery store and landed on the card aisle. I had stayed away from all the Hallmark Stores, but completely forgot the grocery stores now have card/party aisles. It hit me in my heart that I would never again have 'my' Mom to send a card to, call on the phone, take to lunch...all the fun things we would do to celebrate 'Mom'. I left the grocery cart right there in the aisle praying I could keep the tears hidden until I was alone in the car.

My Dad died in October...four months later my Mom died. It is an understatement to say it was a very hard time in my life. They had evacuated here after hurricane Katrina flooded the Assisted Living facility where they lived in New Orleans. We weren't able to bury either of them in the cemetery in New Orleans until the month after my Mom died. The cemeteries were busy trying to repair the flood damage. So, although Mom died in March of that year, we had a memorial service for them in April. And yes...Mother's Day is May.

My son's birthday is on Mother's Day this year. I will joyously celebrate his birth and the privilege of being mother to my five children. As many of our children and grandchildren that are able to make it to a luncheon will be there. We will be happy, but tucked in my heart will be the missing piece of the day...my Mom.

I know I am not alone in having to face Mother's Day without my Mother's physical presence. For those who are facing this whether for the first or after many years, I send you my love and empathy. As a Mother myself...I know we are meant to enjoy the day; I know without a doubt my Mom would want me to celebrate the day. Still, I will keep that place in my heart and find a quiet time in the day to remember...

Loves~Loves~Loves~

Monday, April 15, 2013

Photo Dump Part II

Again, life is continuing to be filled with family activity and what nots...I like what nots, don't you? I'll continue to attempt to place the pictures in some semblance of order; no guarantees.

We went up to the Washington DC area last fall to visit with our kids, Scott and Erin and our precious little Grace. My sister Patsy and her husband were heading there for a tour of the area. Allan is head of his department at the college where he works and he often takes groups of students from abroad to 'view' our nation's political world in action. Patsy wondered if we would be able to meet them and spend time together. Are you kidding me??? I jumped at the opportunity to visit both my sister and brother-in-law and our children and granddaughter in one fell swoop!

We toured George Washington's homestead, Mt Vernon. It was in October and a brisk wind was whipping up from the Potomac River. All I can say is I'm glad we have insulated homes and central heat and air! The view was fantastic, I just wonder if generations from now people will ponder how we 'survived' living in the conditions we are now 'surviving' through.

For your viewing pleasure and my family's recording of family events...first up, Mt Vernon!

We had breakfast at a restaurant owned and operated by a family friend's friend. Confusing enough? I do recommend it if you are ever in the Arlington area of DC and craving New Orleans cuisine. He's won several awards for his restaurant and I can attest to the authenticity and flavor! The name is Bayou Bakery the owner and chef is David Guas. David's beignets are fantastic, although all I have to show for you is the powdered sugar remains...!

Another evening Steve and I took the subway into DC to meet up with Patsy and Allan for dinner. We had a wonderful time reminiscing and laughing over old times and memories. All to soon it was time to head back home. Happily we knew soon Scott and Erin and Grace would be moving down to us! Goodbyes were not quite as sad as they had been...

Elise had her 25th birthday...I can't believe my baby is that 'young'! Lily and Elise had a viewing of Cinderella and of course the tiara was a required item for any Princess.

Her brothers always make her giggle...my Mom always used to call her 'Gigglepuss' and rightly so. I love the sound of Elise's laugh...

Trey and Peter hunted in pumpkin patches...

Lily, her Mom, Lisa and her other 'Grammy', Beth and I went for a 'Ladies Tea' at the Tea Shoppe. It was so much fun watching Lily try on hats and 'glubs' and beads. She had her own 'tea', pink lemonade in a pretty pink tea pot. We had delightful sandwiches and pastries and even some...wait for it...'Devon' cream!

Lily had a marvelous time adding to her tea, I think it ended up a combination of lemonade, cream, pepper and sugar, with maybe a touch of salt before we were finished!

It was the most delightful day, one I look forward to replicating again with all of the granddaughters! Truly if you have the opportunity to do this with someone young and full of fancy I highly recommend a ladies 'Tea'!

Halloween gave us the opportunity to see a Native American Indian Princess...