I'm Perfect Because...

I found some dust on my new granite counter tops after the cleaning lady left the other day. I was so upset. What do I pay that woman for? To leave dust? I think not. And then the landscaper forgot to even up one of the hedges out front. I wanted to scream. Some may say I’m a perfectionist but it’s simply that I like things “just so” and done the right way. My way. There’s nothing wrong with that.  I would fire them but it's such a hassle to find someone new.

They don’t know what kind of house I grew up in. How the smell of mold and mildew lingered in the air. How my mother rarely washed our sheets and I was so glad when I learned how to do it myself. I was tired of waking up with red splotches on my skin. And what about the gobs of dog and cat hair that was always everywhere? She yelled at me if I ever complained about how much my eyes watered and itched. She loved those damn animals more than us.

I ran 10 miles this morning and my left knee started to bother me a little bit. Otherwise I probably would have a gone longer. I did it pretty fast though so that was good. My neighbor friend won’t run with me because she says I’m too fast for her. I have to run fast. I have to stay thin.

My mother barely made it up the stairs in our house most days. She laid on the sofa a lot watching the television and eating and eating. I was so happy to go to school once I was old enough. I wanted to play soccer but she was too lazy to even take me to practice. I played after school some days with some of the other kids. It felt so good to run and score a goal. There were days that she was asleep when I got home and she didn’t even know I’d walked in. I was glad.

I need to prepare today’s lessons for the boys and then they have art class this afternoon. Thankfully I can run errands for the birthday party. I hope the baker makes the cake exactly as I asked. I would hate to have to complain. Again. And I need to take my blouse to the cleaners and run the Range Rover through the car wash. I can’t stand the green pollen that has collected all over my hood and windshield.


The dust in the house was inches thick unless I picked up a rag and ran it across the furniture. I learned to maneuver a vacuum pretty early in life. I also had dishpan hands by the time I was 10. I ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.

I hope the organic fruit I bought at the market yesterday stays good for the party. And Jack better not fight me on what he's going to wear for the celebration. The boys have to match and look perfect.

I didn’t go to her funeral. I had just arrived in Paris on the trip of a lifetime with some of my best friends. It was my senior year of college. I didn’t want to leave. Dad managed to get in touch with me and said she died in her sleep. He and my step mom were unsure of when. A neighbor had found her. In a way I needed to thank her for making me who I am. Because I never wanted to be like her. It’s too bad I didn’t get to tell her. 




Is there someone who drives you crazy?


Someone who really gets under your skin.


It doesn't have to be someone you know...


Now, write a first-person piece - as if YOU are this individual. Write from his or her perspective and include the things that really bother you.

This is FICTION and not based on anyone I know. Perhaps "inspired by" someone though...

In the Middle of the Night

I could hear his footsteps and his breath as he entered our room.

His little boys socks, scooting, "swish, swish" as he approached my side of the bed.

I blearily looked at the bright red digital numbers on the opposite night table

They screamed "2:34!!!!" at me. 

If I had still been up and awake it would be WAY too late. If I was to get up now, it would be WAY too early.

It's what many call "the middle of the night".

The time when day and night are mixing perfectly together with all their various colors of lights and darks, like a child who has mixed each and every hue of the water colors in front of them, on one piece of paper.

To make black.

There was no light coming through the window.

I fumbled for my glasses so that I could see.

But I didn't find them.

Could you put these back on? he asked.

I helped him just by touch and then he went back to bed.

But just as I'd had a hard time falling asleep in the first place, I had a hard time again.

The simple act of helping him with his little boy pajamas re-ignited my over-tired brain.

I need to learn to meditate I thought. To calm my mind.

But who are we kidding. As long as someone needs help with a pull-up in the middle of the night...

that probably won't happen.

zzzzzzzzz.....

I realize this post is somewhat similar to one I posted last week at this time but this was in my drafts and pretty much ready to publish so I just clicked "publish". And well, obviously, this is on the brain a lot.  Sorry if I sound like a "broken record". 

Ponies & Flowers - WW & You Capture

Some of our good friends had a super fun birthday party for their son and daughter with a "western" theme on Saturday.  Ponies and all.

Have you ever seen a soccer playing Cowboy?  Well, now's your chance!

I mean it doesn't get much better than that, now does it? :D (he had to miss part of the party for his game but apparently it was worth it because he played really well!)

The boys had a great time riding the ponies

But K was NOT into it at all and was much happier just strutting her stuff in "cowgirl hat" and purple bandanna. 

Oh and also, I got flowers for my birthday.  Roses from my sweet neighbor and tulips from my family.  I just had to show them off.  Aren't they so pretty?  I do love fresh flowers...

Missing School

It was a school night and as the warm water rushed out of the shiny faucet, I climbed into the tub for my bath. I saw the bright pink bottle of bubble bath with that silly bubble guy smiling back at me. I grabbed it and started to unscrew the cap when my Mom walked back in.

“No bubbles tonight.”

“But why, Mommy?!”

“Just not tonight.”

I noticed her eyes looked tired as she turned to grab the shampoo and the cup she always used to rinse my hair. I suddenly felt the waterfall over my head and back, washing over my thick mane, the one she loathed combing out. As I looked up at her and smiled she exclaimed, “Oh NO!!”

The expression on her face turned grim and she quickly grasped my torso with both hands and turned my back to face her. I could feel her eyes as they scanned my little girl body. Then she put her damp palm against my forehead as she pointed out the multitude of red splotches all over me.

“Well, you won’t be going to school tomorrow. Or the next day for that matter…”

Her words struck me like a kick ball to the arm at recess. What? “But I LOVE school”, I thought. It had only been a few weeks but I was already accustomed to the routine and enjoying my new friends. It was there that I was basking in the newness of it all and learning to spell my name. The place where they served chocolate milk every day in the big white cafeteria with the fold-down tables.

If I was not there, who would sit with my friend who had the same Holly Hobby lunch box and thermos? She’d miss me for sure. I was unsure how all my work would get done; I started to cry just thinking about it.

My mom finished rinsing my hair and looked into my brown eyes that matched hers. “Oh honey, it’s alright, you just have the Chicken Pox and it’s very contagious so you cannot go to school for a few days. We just don’t want your friends to get sick too. It’s okay… ” Her voice trailed off and I pouted the entire time she got the tangles out of my hair with my sparkly pink comb.

I was away from school for the rest of that week, lying on the sofa while my mom did her ironing and watched her soap operas, just like the days before school began. I don’t recall feeling that bad, I just remember wanting to be back in my school room, back learning, back with my friends.

When I returned to school the next week I instantly recognized the smells of fresh crayons, Elmer’s glue and construction paper. I sat back in my spot at the half moon-shaped table where my name was spelled out before me, and smiled at my friends. I tried to guess which letter we would learn about that day and looked around the room wondering who gave me the Chicken Pox.

To this day I’m guessing it was one of the “cootie"-laden boys. I'm just sure of it.


For this week's RemembeRED prompt, we're asking you to remember kindergarten...

Steppin Out Saturday and Mommy & Me

This weekend was quite busy with two (three if you count dinner out for me) birthday parties.  I also planted flowers out front and Tim did all the laundry and started cleaning house in preparation for my parents coming this next weekend to help us celebrate The B Man's 7th birthday (what?? You still clean when your parents come to visit, right?).  Also, I think I'm having a MUCH harder time with him turning 7 than me turning 36.  Seriously.

Anywho...

I had Tim take some pics of me and the kids Saturday in front of the beautiful azaleas.

This was about the only ONE that turned out decent and he took about twenty. But I kinda like how Little G looks like he'd rather be ANYWHERE but there... And K is about to run off (trust me).  And The B Man is off soon to bend it like Beckham! ;)

These azalea bushes are between our house and the neighbors and they are just SO gorgeous!  Outfit details for me and K below...

Me:

Top: Target

Jeans: GAP

Shoes: Target

Necklace: James Avery (my Mother's day gift almost 2 years ago)

Baby K:

Top: Hand-me-down (Target brand though, I think...)

"Skinny" jeans: GAP

Shoes: See Kai Run

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  We (especially me!) enjoyed lots of cake, time with friends and family time too.  Saturday was a gorgeous day in many ways and it was so great to hear from so many friends on Facebook and twitter and here too.

Now I'm off to finish the final preparations for Ben's "iron man" party this coming weekend.  Anyone know how to "naturally" color red velvet cupcakes? 

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

It's My Birthday!

I love it when my birthday falls on the weekend, don't you?


Today is a really good day. I woke up in my warm bed with one of my most favorite little boys next to me (the other "boys" were already up preparing a surprise for me...).


Yes, there are days that I get a tad overwhelmed (just 'keeping it real', as they say...) but most days I enjoy this life immensely because that is who I am and who my parents raised me to be. It takes many more than my own two hands to count the blessings in my life.


Today is a wonderful, fabulous day to be 36. Life is good. 

 Also love that my b-day is in Spring - yay for gorgeous azaleas!

p.s. Thanks for all your awesome comments on yesterday's post about my weight loss.

p.p.s. The winner of the beautiful baubles from Jaclyn is Amanda G. I'll be emailing her today...

So, Um, I Kinda Lost 30 Pounds...

The other morning I stepped on the scale and glanced down at the number between my feet and a HUGE smile came across my face.

I've done it, y'all. I've lost 30 pounds!! The number on the scale isn't lying. All the running. All the "low-carbing". All the Zumba classes. All the desserts resisted. It was all for this. And to simply feel healthy and better in my own skin.

And on Saturday I will celebrate another birthday and I have to say the timing couldn't be better as far as I'm concerned. Happy 36th Birthday to me!  And yes, I will be having some cake.  Counter intuitive perhaps, but I don't care, I deserve some damn cake!!

Anyway, here are my stats:

Beginning weight: 177.5 lbs.
Weight now: 147.4 lbs.

Beginning clothing size: 14
Clothing size now: 8 (and I bought a pair of size 6 Bermuda shorts the other day! I've NEVER had 6s in my closet, EVER!)

I don't have all my measurements but I can promise you everything is smaller. Especially my bootie. And my ring finger. I need to have my ring re-sized before it falls off somewhere and I lose it!  And yes, unfortunately "the girls" are also smaller.  But that's okay, I'll take it!

Below are pics from when I started this journey and then a photo that Tim took of me just tonight.  Quite a difference, huh?
 

So what's next?  I'd like to loose a FEW more pounds to reach my ultimate goal of being "pretty close" to the recommended weight for my height (which is 135, btw) and maybe make it into the low 140's.  We'll see.  I'm going to continue running and hope to do a half marathon at some point this year.  We'll see on that one too...

Right now I'm just  feeling really good about myself and my current habits and I'm happy to celebrate it all.  Won't you join me?  Tell me something you've accomplished lately that you're proud of.  I want to hear it!!

And I would be remiss if I didn't thank my girls for their internet inspiration and support including (but probably not limited to) Lisa, Thea, Kirsten, Christy, Brooke, Bari, Beki , Roo, Tiffany, Mendi and Nicole.  So, THANK YOU!!  If I missed anyone I'm sorry.  I'm just high on weight loss...

Dreaming of a full night's sleep...

Sometimes motherhood smacks you in the face. I kinda feel liked I've been smacked around a lot lately. I have some emotional bruises to prove it. My kids may too. But I hope they are healed by the hugs and kisses I dole out and the jokes we tell and the times we spend playing or building together.

But.

I'm tired right now. EVERY night my Little G wakes up to go pee or has already peed, if you get my drift. I've now washed his entire set of bedding (which includes a comforter/duvet thingy that has to be reassembled...) two days in a row. And Tim has been a huge help in the middle of the night, usually getting up with him but I still wake up. It's like having an infant again.

And I'm not sure why he's regressed in this area. So then I do start to wonder. What's up with him that he's wearing a pull-up again tonight, after MONTHS without them?  What have I done wrong?

I promised myself I'd be more patient, understanding. With both of us.  But sometimes it's SO hard.

I fussed at the boys tonight because they were up in their room, making noise much past bedtime and I know they need their rest. And lately, anytime I fuss at him, The B Man says to me "You don't like me!"  But it's SO not true. Of course I like him. I love him so, so much.

But I'm tired.

The other night Little G did sleep through, without getting up until about 6:00 a.m. It was like the first time one of our babies "slept through the night". Tim and I looked at each other in bed, with new clarity of a full night's sleep and he said to me, "oh thank goodness he slept all night."

This morning I put the clean bedding back on his bed again while he was at school and Baby K was napping. When I was done I lay down on it and smelled the lingering scent of my little boy as I drifted off for a few minutes.

I love them all so much. But sometimes this Mama gig is a bit tough. Right now I think sleep would help a lot though so, goodnight...  I can only hope that we all sleep tight...

Ahh, to be young again... WW & You Capture

The beauty of youth is all around me. Every day, in my children. I just hope and pray they keep me young. 

There's a saying... something about how youth is wasted on the young.  I don't think it's a waste at all...

 

Can you tell my camera is working again? ;) These were all taken with my new 50mm 1.4 Nikkor lens.  I'm still learning how to use it though and ANY tips are appreciated.

And With Her She Brought Forgiveness

The room was cold and bright.  I was shaking just as I did the last time. I was more aware of what was going to happen, which was both a good and bad thing. Would they have to give me oxygen again?  Would the nausea kick in?

I told myself to breathe long, deep breaths and pray my prayer that all would go well and smoothly.  And so I did - over and over.  The nurse told me it was time and I gave her my best puppy dog eyes.  I knew the next step - my least favorite part of this way to have a baby.  I began to think I even liked the recovery more than this. 

I leaned over and put my arms around her neck just as she instructed.  I began to pray my prayer again but then my mind drifted away, forcing me to remember why I was even here in this room to begin with...

It all goes back to that first delivery, when I made the decision to be induced and my baby boy was not making his way out.  His heart-rate dropped.  I cried.  I did not want to be cut open. That was not the plan. 

And so I pushed and I pushed and he had to have even more help to come out, enough so that we were both scarred.  In the end both my baby and I were alright but it took months, maybe even years in some ways.  My decision seemed all wrong.  My life as a mother had a pretty rough start.  It was not supposed to feel or be this way. 

I internalized so much of it.  I shook it off.  I chose to have my next baby come in an O.R., as well as this baby, the third, my little girl… 

I lay down on the table and soon after my love walked in the room, fully clad in hospital scrubs.  He looked down at me, his eyes glistening, and asked if I was ready to meet our baby girl and I smiled up at him.  I knew I was. 

My doctor spoke and let me know that he was starting.  And in that moment, right then and there, I forgave myself.  I did it for my first baby, for my second and for my third. I did it for my husband and for myself.  I forgave.  I had to do it so that I could carry on. 

As the peace of my own forgiveness filled my heart, I heard her first cries.  Just moments after that I saw her face for the first time, the baby that rounded out our family - the baby that brought forgiveness with her.

And I was saved.

photo taken of my sweet baby girl born that day.  This was taken last Saturday w/ my new 50mm lens. LOVE it. 

This week's prompt is about forgiveness. Forgiving others, forgiving yourself. Write about a time of forgiveness.

My BIRTHDAY is coming up, why don't we celebrate with a give away?!

I love my birthday. I always have. I love that it's at the beginning of my favorite season, spring. And well, I have to admit I love that it's a day in which I KNOW there will be cake. Because the MAIN requirement even above gifts, for my birthday, is cake. Preferably chocolate.

So yes, this coming Saturday (the 26th) I will turn 36 "years young"! :)

And I'm even more excited because a very lovely lady by the name of Jaclyn, has offered up some beautiful earrings as my "gift" to one of you, for my birthday!

Feast your eyes on these pretties! Aren't they simply "GORGE"?!?  And you should know that the significance of their blue-ish color is because the birthstone for March is Aquamarine.  I just adore them and wish I cut decorate my lobes with them, but alas they are for someone else, like YOU.  They would also make a wonderful gift for someone you love.

Here's a short description from Jaclyn about these gems:


These earrings are made with a variety of beads, including dyed freshwater pearls in a beautiful navy, pale blue glass Swarovski beads, powder blue faceted glass rondelles and a bright blue faceted glass bead with AB coating, which gives it that beautiful rainbow irridescence. The shaggy, cluster earrings have silver-toned findings and hang about 1 3/4 inches long.

And Jaclyn's Etsy shop, Jaclyn1423,  is full of many other beautiful earrings as well as necklaces, bracelets and rings full of "whimsy and upcycled beauty and sparkle and shine."  She also crafts signature necklaces called "Joey's Hot Dogs" to benefit Autism Speaks, in honor of her brother who is Autistic .  So not only is she talented but she also has a big heart. Thanks so much to my sweet friend Erin for introducing us!

Here's how to enter to win!

Required entry: Visit Jaclyn's shop and let us know which item would look FABULOUS with what you are wearing right now!  (and if you are wearing yoga pants and t-shirt like I probably am, just pick something you really like and tell us, k?)

Additional entries: (Please leave an additional comment for each thing you do...)

Visit Jaclyn's blog Snap, Crackle, Pop and subscribe to her blog via Google reader or email subscription. 

Follow Jaclyn1423 on twitter and tweet this give away: A birthday celebration giveaway from @elainea for some beautiful earrings made by @Jaclyn1423 - enter HERE - http://bit.ly/hQxmxO

This give away is open to everyone (no matter where you live!) and will close at midnight (central time) on Friday night, the 25th.  I will announce the winner on my b-day, Saturday the 26th! 

Please make sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected to win and Good Luck!

Break Up

He sat on the weathered bench at the picnic table under a huge and familiar oak tree. We were at a park that I had loved to play at as a child, with its hills and enormous jungle gym. I sat next to him, so elated to be back from my first year of college and just minutes, instead of hours, away from him again.

But something was different.

He took my hand in his and gently caressed it like he’d done so many times before and suddenly I saw it in his eyes.

This isn’t working anymore Elaine.

Automatically the park became my least favorite place on earth. I thought the tree might fall on me. I couldn’t breathe and my heart started to beat a zillion times a minute. I could feel the heat flood my face like someone had placed me right before a huge flame. Tears immediately filled my eyes and my head fell, facing the dirt. I could see tiny ants going about their business. How could they?

I knew we’d both changed a lot in the last nine months. His love letters were less frequent. He didn’t talk of us getting married anymore. I’d kissed someone else. Apparently so had he. But I never expected this. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut by my best friend. He was strong enough to know the truth and make this decision and I was not. Even that was more crushing.

I remember my mother coming to comfort me as I cried for a few days. I did love him as much as any 19 year old could. I thought my world had come to an end.

I never expected this detour.

But it was one of the best ones that I could have ever been forced to take. I’d hoped for one path but was sent on another by his choice.

At first this new path took me to a few places that I probably shouldn’t have gone but ultimately led me to “the one” – the person that became my final destination.

I wish I could have taken away some of the pain and ache that lingered after he drove me back to my parents house that day. But otherwise, I would keep things the same.

It’s funny how something we consider a turn for the worse can end up being one of the best things ever.

write - fiction or non-fiction - about a time when you took a detour. Where had you intended to go and where did you end up?

Looking Back, Facing Forward

Since I cannot use my camera right now I was looking back at pictures from this time last year and pondering some things...

It's amazing and crazy all at the same time how our kids just keep growing right before our eyes but we don't really see it until we LOOK back.

 A shot of me and Baby K one year ago... We've both changed A LOT. :)

And all at the same time we are "growing" too, as people, as parents. We are changing in ways we don't necessarily see until we LOOK back. And we think about what we used to be and who we are now and that's just about as amazing and crazy too. It's hard to explain. But it's there.

Sometimes I still think of myself as the "girl" that I use to be who had a penchant for writing angsty poetry and listened to music ALL the time.  Or could spend a whole Saturday at the mall shopping or hours in the used book store looking for recipe books or books about home decor. Or when I was a "working girl", and who I was when it was just Tim and I, before the kids were our primary focus. 

And speaking of focus, some days it is askew. There are occasions when I wish for that time back, to just "spend". I do. I admit it. But then of course one of the cutest kids ever makes me laugh or tells me that they love me or gives me a kiss right square on the lips and I remember that I wouldn't change a thing. Except who I am, in some ways, for them.


The other day I was at The B Man's school for a fundraiser and found myself amongst other parents my age and even a little older.  I looked at them and thought, "How did I get here?  Hanging out with other Moms who have school-aged kids... wearing fanny packs..?" (mind you, I was NOT wearing a fanny pack myself...).  I mean, I was just in high school yesterday.

I appreciate the changes and take them in stride, looking forward, especially as I do get older.  But really, sometimes I do wonder, how did I get here, and so fast?

LaRue Across America - Book Review & Giveaway

We are always happy to have a new book to read around here!

Thankfully there is never a shortage due to the fact that my children's lineage includes many book lovers, including but not limited to their Grandparents and Great Grandparents. (although my father would be the first to say that he's more of a magazine guy, like me... well except I'm not a guy.) Due to this fact, the children often get books as gifts and we are also happy whenever we have the chance to review books here on the blog.

Our most recent opportunity came in the form of Mark Teague's latest book about Ike LaRue (who is a dog by the way... ), LaRue Across America.

A short synopsis of the book...

"Ike’s plan for a peaceful cruise with Mrs. LaRue are thwarted when their neighbor, Mrs. Hibbins, falls suddenly ill. Mrs. LaRue suggests that she and Ike care for her cats while Mrs. Hibbins is in the hospital, inviting them along on the cruise. But cats aren't allowed, and Mrs. LaRue decides to take them all on a week's vacation of road-tripping. Ike is beside himself and quickly takes up his pen to tell us why!

Join award-winner Mark Teague on this romping road trip across America. Readers can follow along on the maps of the U.S. that span the endpapers. Teague drives us to the story’s satisfying conclusion, and we are left with one profound question: Can cats and dogs really be friends?"

The boys loved it and as I read it to them I gave "Ike" a bit of a sophisticated accent since his vocabulary seemed well suited for it.  I ended up demonstrating said accent while reading the entire book THREE times (in the same evening), since the boys enjoyed the book that much! And of course, we've read it a "few" times again since then... :)

Also, HERE'S the darling book trailer if you'd like an even better idea about the book... 

LaRue and his companions do visit some pretty awesome places and of course, it all works out in the end.

I have two copies of LaRue Across America to give away so if you'd like one, just leave a comment. You can say anything you want but make it something at least sort of interesting, okay?? You can even tell me about a time YOU used an accent while reading to your kids!

And go ahead, do leave a comment, because Hey - FREE book!!! (that you will enjoy reading with your kids or grandkids - promise!)

This giveaway will run until Monday, March 21st after which 2 LUCKY (get it lucky? for St. Patty's day?!)  winners will be chosen via Random.org.

Please make sure I have a way to get in touch with you should you win.

Open to U.S. residents only.



*I was sent one copy of LaRue Across America for review purposes and received no other compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and that of my kids. :)

Range of Emotions - WW & You Capture

As I mentioned earlier in the week, my camera is out of commission for a bit. And that makes me sad.

But not nearly as sad as what has recently happened in our world, specifically Japan, in the last several days. My heart is heavy yet I keep a brave face for my kiddos. It's what we do as parents, right? We try not to let on that anything is wrong and keep smiling.

In the wake of this tragedy I'm also reminded that I need to be thankful for all that we have. So VERY thankful. That we are together and safe and we have food on our table, clean water and a roof over our heads. That we are healthy.

It really does come back to those simple things...

I've been a bit emotional this week. But I'm doing my best to stay strong for my children and remember that we are so very blessed.

And without sounding glib, I do still have my phone to take pictures of my happy baby girl and her sweet smile while she plays with her brothers' toothbrushes...

Picked For Pie

My grandma gathered the dewberries in her stained apron and tasted a few to see how sweet they were. I went to wipe the sweat off of my forehead but my hands were full. My mom set the old metal bucket between us, in the lush weeds. I dropped in my bounty.

We picked until we had enough for two or three pies. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to taste them but by the time we had finished I had put several into my mouth. I looked closely at my hands and could see the juice had dyed my cuticles, like tiny purple rivers. The berries were so good and fresh, grown right by the road next to my grandparents’ farm. Sweeter for that reason I suppose.

I’d gone through that metal gate so many times before, never noticing the bushes that lined the road, fostering this glorious fruit. I was used to eating my grandma’s poppy seed kolaches (traditional Czech pastry) but that morning after we arrived she suggested we go berry picking. She had pie on the brain for supper. I was not one to argue.

I sat at the long farm table in the hot kitchen, fanning myself with the local paper, as I watched her roll out the dough for the pies. She worked so hard, always. Her legs were bowed and I rarely saw her without her apron. If she left the kitchen it was to go for some fresh eggs from the hens or something out of the garden. I think she slept in that kitchen on occasion. Her oven and stove seemed as if they were always on.

But today she’d ventured down by the gravel road with us, calling to the cows as she walked. I didn’t know until I was older that she wore wigs. I did, however know that just a little bit of beer could make her extra “happy”.

That afternoon, at supper, the dewberry pie was more than delicious. The homemade crust exploded with the berries, their juice and sugar.  It was so warm and made from the heart and soul of my Grandmother's kitchen. I was glad to have a second serving. I was grateful to see it made from the very beginning...

I don’t think I’ve eaten a dewberry since then. Perhaps I picked a few again around the farm but if so they definitely did not leave the same impression as the day my mother and grandma and I spent picking them for pie. And despite the chigger bites, it remains one of the dearest memories I have of the three of us together.

This post was written for this week's RemembeRED post...


...write about your favorite fresh fruit or vegetable.


Share a memory of when you first tasted it, where it came from, when you last had it, a favorite way to prepare it, and such.


As you write your piece this week, think of it as writing a scene. Be sure to engage our senses, make us feel, see, taste, hear, and smell. Pull us in with your description.

So, an unfortunate thing happened and other ramblings...

 red bud buds that aren't well.... red.... 

I broke my camera lens. But not in the way you may think.

While at the zoo last week the camera "jumped" off the back of the stroller (seriously, I have NO idea how it got bumped off) and when it fell my lens went flying off and the mounting pieces inside broke off. So, I'm currently lens-less.

 

The last picture I took before my the lens disaster

pretty tiger...

As some of you may have seen on twitter, I did order a new 50mm lens (early b-day present!) but it's currently on back order and my other lens is being fixed (by THE only guy in town here that fixes cameras!) but it will take approximately 2 weeks for me to get it back.

So....

....the only "camera" I have right now is on my iPhone.

Sux.

It takes okay pictures but not awesome ones. And me? Well, I like to take pictures so I'm kinda at a loss. But I'm also trying to just enjoy the moment for the moment instead of it always being an "oooh, oooh, this would make a great picture!!" moment, you know?

 having dinner "al fresco" - taken w/ iPhone

Yeah, you know.

But admittedly, it's hard.

Oh and Baby K is SO very close to "The Age of Maximum Cuteness" that I can hardly take it and I want to take her picture all the time. I know, it's a disease.

Also, I got mah hairs did this weekend and my "girl" (doesn't everyone call their hairdresser "my girl" or "my guy"?) cut a little more off than I wanted. I know it grows back but still. Why'd she go and do that? Of course in a couple of months when it's CRAZYASASUPERLUNATIC hot and humid here then I'll probably be at the salon door begging for her to chop it of so, there's that.

mah "new" hair

On a COMPLETELY different note, it's been interesting having an almost 7 year old and him asking questions about what happened in Japan. His sensitive heart keeps asking about the people there. Tonight he even prayed for any children that may have lost their parents in the tragedy. So heart-breaking but I was so proud of him. Thankfully he doesn't seem too worried that something like that would happen here (you know how kids brains work...) and he's not scared, just concerned I think... What are you saying to your kiddos about what's happened and is still going on in Japan?

Oh and to change the subject one more time, I'm back "low-carbing" it since I want to lose a few more pounds and Tim and I both gave up alcohol for Lent. So, if I seem a little testy.... (all at the same time my camera is broken!??!?!)  I'll do my best to stay my same, happy, mostly chipper self but just in case I DON'T, well, you'll know why.

When's Easter again??