Tag Archives: family

Icing on the cake

Last weekend we celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a vow renewal and gathering afterward…you can see more about that here, but the thing I loved the most was being surrounded by our family and friends. Now. There are some of you reading this that might be sad because you missed it (and it WAS great), BUT this is NOT a slight or rant on you missing it. It was our fortune to be married in June. Who knew that 20 years later June would be the month of finishing school, graduations and the general crazy busy that ends school and begins summer? Who? Not my 24-year-old bride self, that’s for sure. Anyhoo…….as much as we would have LOVED to have each and every one of our family and friends present, it’s just not a reality. Life and all that. That said……

The people who were supposed to be there were. It was a neat gathering. ALL of our kids (and with our 16 yo’s recent crisis of faith–that says a lot). Many of Hubby’s AA friends came, and that is a diverse group of pretty cool people. Truly. We had friends come from church, and for the few friends we have there….that was a nice feeling. Hubby’s parents were there. Probably one of the very few times my father in law made it to church. A continued grace in healing of a strained relationship. My grandparents were there, right up front with us and my grandmother kept her claustrophobia at bay so that they could be on the front lines where they have always been. Fraternity brothers, to which I can never say enough good about this group of guys. Friends from our old city who drove 4 hours for a date weekend; this was an extra special because of the time we were able to spend with them the night before catching up.

My fear of getting up in front of the ENTIRE. 9 A.M. MASS. to renew our vows was real. When Hubs started getting emotional prior to Mass, he almost brought me over the edge (so I had to threaten him with bodily harm and eggplant…he doesn’t like eggplant). During the ceremony, I remembered our priest’s advice and just kept my eyes on Hubs, and the priest. It worked. Thankfully I followed those instructions because toward the end I snuck a peek at the parishioners and holy cow! The looks of love and sweet smiles on their faces. NOW I know why our church opts for this manner of vow renewal. Talk about a witness. I would never have made it had I looked out. Also, the fact that our only response was “I do” rather than repeat the entire wedding vows was a HUGE help. Death by publicly speaking heart-felt vows and all.

The graces were real. The love was real. The friends are real. The icing on the cake.

Now hopefully life will get real and get our friends here throughout the summer for some visitin’!!!

20 years…let’s do it again!

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I’m still processing a beautiful morning but for my friends and family who couldn’t make it to our 20 year Anniversary Vow Renewal…a few pics.

I have more pics. I have more words. Perhaps later this week. I’ve got lots of words. After 20 years I’ve got LOTS to say on marriage. I’m thinking a little marriage series. Like I said. Processing. For now. You’ve got this.

9 a.m. Mass and BOOM right in the middle….a little vow renewal. In front of God and everyone. Again. Neither of us cried. Neither of us got the usual hysterical nervous giggles. Neither of us passed out. All good. All. Good.

Enjoy!

Blogapalooza May….almost over

The “L” word…or a day off the hard way

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This morning our youngest daughter came to me JUUUUUUUUUUST as we were getting ready to load up the bus for school and said, “Mom, my head’s itchy, can you look at it?” ugh. dread. despair. fingers crossed. holding breath. I poked, prodded and separated hair and just as I thought she was free and clear (aside from a super angry red neck), I saw it. a nit. ARGGHGHGHGHHGHGHGHGHGHG. Sure enough, separated a few more strands and a couple more. No school for you, my pet.

Lice.

Are you itching yet?

Texted my my co-worker and boss that my presence was TBD, dropped the other kids (nit free) off at their respective schools and was Wal-mart bound for the RID products. Not awkward at all at checkout. Nope. Not. at. all.

Thankfully, the Hubs was working from home today and was able to get the beds stripped and laundry started. Lo, you never saw so much linen, pillows and regular dirty laundry (while we’re at it) in yo life!!! Seriously.

Sprayed EVERY last item of furniture in the house with the spray, toxic I am sure, but you know if I had a blow torch that would have been fine, too. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have. Spray it is.

Got the little one doused down in leav- in shampoo for 10 minutes and went ahead and did myself, too…because just say the word and I itch. I did lay down with her last night after her performance. On her pillow. So yeah…lather me yesterday.

We rinsed and gel producted up and began the process. Now, if you’ve never had the absolute luxury of picking nits from hair, I’m here with your PSA, a few pics for reference and to tell you….settle in….it’s not a quick ride and it purely sucks. Just ask my mom, she helped me with this the last time, about 10 years ago. Wasn’t any fun then either.

Nit picking. Tiny. Tedious. Frustrating little effers. Good times. After about 30-40 minutes, several nits, and TWO, TWO!!!!!!! Live louse. EWWWWWW!!!! We re-applied, set the timer, applied gel and began the process. Again. No more louse, a handful of nits. Much better. (and I’ve checked and re-checked several more times today, finally down to ZERO!)

And lastly, because I didn’t want to be doing laundry until Saturday, the little diva and I hit the local laundromat for the pillows and comforters………AFTER hitting the bank for some quarters. You know what? WHO can afford a laundromat??? 3 washers and 3 dryers and about an hour and $30 later, we were out of there. Finished the rest of the basic laundry at home at about 6:30 p.m. Like I said, it sucks. So consider this your PSA just in case you ever are in this predicament…..

Here’s a few photos, because you never know what you might need to know what you are looking for.

You’re welcome.

I’m going to bed.

When you are looking for these (see arrow)

and you have to wade through lots of this lovely hair….

you can see how they really stand out, super easy to find and all, kind of silvery. ish.

you pretty much want to throw your whole house in here. on Caliente to wash and super heat to dry.

Celebrate: ME!! My birthday post!

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Woman, you lost it. You’ve got enough candles on that cake to burn down the whole flippin’ house and you celebrate? Yup. 44 and totally going to enjoy it. Life’s too short, people. So, imma gonna seize the WHOLE day. And join in Jen for some Quick Takes. Because I can. So, enjoy….my

But first…
Lemmee take a selfie….straight out of bed, fresh cut yesterday…love new ‘do…or same ‘do, fresh cut.
I took the day off today (and so did Hubs) and our sweet little sicky who I blogged about yesterday, had a miraculous healing!! Woot, woot!!! Happy birthday to ME!!! Off to school, my little cherub. I know, totally crazy and selfish move, right? Well, that’s how I roll around here as evidenced by the FIRST BIRTHDAY I have ever even taken the day off for (that I remember anyway….things are a little foggy sometimes….send gingko wouldya?). Anyhooooo, as I enjoyed my morning coffee of
I spied this little loveliness on the back porch.
New plants! And new pots!! Be still my heart. Sweet Hubs. Totally rocked it!!
Then this:
A card and chocolate, too??? What the??? He is totally racking up Hubby points, here.
Of course I still have Facebook to keep up with today (such fun all those birthday wishes, worth holding off purging the list for a while), several early texts and phone calls (since I’m off I can actually talk on the phone today….unless I’m in the pool or riding my bike on the beach…) and then this awesome pile of snail mail to savor later!!
Love cards. And presents. It’s my love language.
Yesterday at work my awesome work peeps had a chip and dip celebration followed by jello cake topped with cool whip. Homemade crab dip and Hand chopped with love and claw inducing mango salsa by my bestie work bud!) Delicious, it was breakfast and lunch….
But, lest you think it’s all awesome food, no responsibilities, flowers and chocolate….I’m still a Mama and regular life still goes on. And it’s all good!!
In honor of MY birthday, I am showing an act of mercy and doing the boy’s laundry. Told you I am a selfish B….just keepin’ it real!