Queens Rd. West

We are selling our condo today. We hate to do it but it's cost are starting to outway the rewards. Tommy and I planned our future from this corner condo. We saw some of our worst times here but we hold some wonderful memories too. This was to be our nest egg and in a way it was. It helped us reach a freedom that not many 28 year olds have. It was an investment that had so much hidden potential. So hidden that I didn't want to buy it! Tommy knew what it was past its cosmetic flaws. He rebuilt the bathroom with his brother and father. That, he will never do again. It was the cutest, old, 985 sq. ft. space we will ever know and love. I haven't been in it since we moved out 2 years ago. But I remember it very well. Something about me wants to take Bella there and take her picture in it. But, I think I will just drive there, park the car, get out the stroller and take Bella for long walks to see the 100 year old trees and the expensive landscaping and the beautiful park nearby. I hope to move back in that neighborhood one day. Maybe I should start buying lottery tickets.

Gloomy

Today I am fighting poison ivy. Somehow I have it spreading all over my hands, arms and neck. I have not touched hardly anything outdoors. The only possible way I got it was from wood that was used to build our deck last week, my Mom who planted monkey grass, or from Bella who loves to run around in the yard. I am so irritated with the itchiness that I can hardly concentrate at times. I let my Mom keep Bella over night so that I don't give it to her (if she doesn't already have it.) I can't leave her there until it's gone though, so I will pick her up today. I miss her smiling face. If anyone has any ideas about helping the itch please tell. I am not scratching it. I don't have a great big rash, it's just some blisters that are taunting me with the itch. It seems like every time something sweet happens, like we had our deck built, something comes along to make it bitter, like having poison ivy itch more in the heat. I am so annoyed. HELP!

A Poem To Parent By

This picture is from last Fall, it's an oldie but goodie. I thought it was so cute that she wanted to see out this window so bad even though she was obviously too short to do it on her own.

When I heard the poem posted below I loved it. I wanted to post it, not only to share with other parents, but now I can re-read it again and again, and remind myself to parent this way.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,I’d finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d teach less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.

Good stuff.

Mom's Love

This is a picture of my Mom playing with Bella on the beach. She and I have had a lot of ups and downs but I know that she only has love to give and tries with all her might to be the best Mom and Grandma she can be. This weekend I will be spending a lot of time in the car with her as we are going to a family reunion. Being together for four and a half hours is painful for us sometimes because well, she tends to work my nerves. There is something that makes me tolerate more than I would like and that's the fact that I probably will not have her as long as others have their mothers. I have to make special memories with her and Bella has to get to know her the way I do. She has a spirit that will live strong after her body leaves this Earth. She is one of the most kind and sensitive people that I know and I hopefully I will have plenty of oppotunities to capture more precious moments like this.

Footsie

While I was searching for an image to display here on this blog, I began by looking for a recent picture of Bella. I knew I had some from the beach but I really didn't want to post the one I have here from my work computer. Then I ran into this picture of my cat, Footsie. He was our first baby. We rescued him from the pound and babied him as if he were human. He got our undivided attention and all the treats he could eat. We rarely play with him now because his kittenhood is over. Plus, Bella is our baby now and Footsie is a little scared of the way she plays. He is much happier meandering the neighborhood looking for friends or a shady spot. Here he is under my "petticoat" that I wore under my wedding dress just over two years ago. He was always so good at posing or doing silly things and getting caught on camera. His personality is so lively and I really miss the times I spent playing with and nurturing him. He sleeps at my feet, trips me when I walk toward his food bowl and scratches me gently to let me know when he needs attention. I love you Footsie.

Beginner

This is my first blog post...ever. I am both excited and apprehensive about beginning this new adventure of learning and fostering a blog. I have so enjoyed reading other blogs by those who have great skills in writing and photography. Once I learn the ropes of blogspot I want to post pics and write about moments that have touched my heart. My life is so rich and I have so much time with my family that it is almost too valuable not to document it in some way. I have always loved writing but I have not concentrated on it in such a long time.
Every Mon. through Thurs. I go to work with my father and stepmother. It was a huge adjustment from going to school every day and working at a restaurant every night. I am an office dweller and I have learned to deal with the sore back from sitting in a chair all day. I work here because I have learned more here about business and professionalism than I did in school and at odd jobs, and I am trying to hone in on what it is that my soul would be happy doing. I want to work for something real. And, right now it is real important for me to have this time with my family.
This is how it works:
I told you that I work with my father and stepmother.
My Mom keeps my daughter during the day.
I have Fridays off to be with my daughter more.
My husband makes his own schedule so I usually have Fridays with him as well.
I get to have a social life since my stay-at-home friends are always welcome to come hang out at the sign shop if they wish. (Oh, yeah, it's fun...sometimes.)
And, frankly, I think my parents are happy to have me around.
They trust me more than anyone else.

Honestly, I have been pondering my next step lately. I am inquiring about teaching positions in CMS. I want to teach English. I am very afraid of losing all of my perks and getting myself intoo deep. I often wonder if I ever should have worked here to begin with. I've heard it said more than once...
"We can't miss what we don't know. "
With that I am signing off. I am off work. It is 4:30, and time to go pick up "my heart," Bella.