Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, April 5, 2010
Happy Easter!
Yesterday was Easter Sunday and when I called each of my sisters in the morning to wish them a Happy Easter, I could tell that we were all feeling the same way. We were all longing to be "home" for Easter. Home was mom and dad's house - the central gathering place to celebrate holidays, birthdays, good report cards or just a sunny day.
Easter at mom's house always meant coffee and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the morning, a big egg hunt for the kiddies in the afternoon and a ham dinner with all of the trimmings...right down to the lamb-shaped butter.
Mom worked magic in the kitchen and she always cooked enough to feed our hungry army...with take-home doggy bags to keep our husband's happy. Even if we stopped by unexpectedly, mom was able to whip up a feast in her magical "Fishes and Loaves" kitchen where a simple roast beef dinner for two could instantly turn into a banquet if someone showed up. To be honest, I think she and dad often took less for themselves to accommodate for the added mouths to feed but it pleased them to do so. Besides, dad was more than happy to follow his dinner with a slice of Wonder bread, slathered with butter and peanut butter if he was still hungry:)
Yesterday, Easter in my house fell short of mom's Easter Extravaganzas but we still had a nice day. I did start the day with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee but not at the crack of dawn since Zach and Eric slept in until almost 11:00. Now that they are teenagers, the excitement and wonder just isn't there...or so I thought. Before going to bed Saturday night, Eric stated, "I hope the Easter Bunny doesn't forget to hide our baskets like he did last year." At 13, he certainly doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny anymore, but this was his not-so-subtle way to say, "Hey mom, I'm still a kid. Don't drop the ball like you did last year!" Oops! I guess I forget that my video game and zombie junkies are still kids after all. Trust me, the Easter Bunny didn't forget to hide their baskets this year...in fact, they didn't find them for nearly an hour! It was so good to see them laughing and having fun, I think I'll hide eggs for them next year...just like grandma used to. :o)
Russ had to work yesterday so he didn't get home until close to dinnertime. Unfortunately, he and the boys decided they didn't want the traditional ham dinner that I was looking forward to cooking, so instead we had filet mignon with mom's mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus, Au gratin potatoes, Easter bread, and frozen mixed veggies (for Eric). In the evening, we took a triple-chocolate cheesecake over to my sister Patty's house for dessert since she was still down in the dumps when I spoke to her after dinner. We had some laughs, along with coffee and yummy cheesecake so it was the perfect end to the day.
Maybe it's ok to start new traditions as long as we hold onto the memories of the old ones with all of our might.
Easter at mom's house always meant coffee and Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the morning, a big egg hunt for the kiddies in the afternoon and a ham dinner with all of the trimmings...right down to the lamb-shaped butter.
Mom worked magic in the kitchen and she always cooked enough to feed our hungry army...with take-home doggy bags to keep our husband's happy. Even if we stopped by unexpectedly, mom was able to whip up a feast in her magical "Fishes and Loaves" kitchen where a simple roast beef dinner for two could instantly turn into a banquet if someone showed up. To be honest, I think she and dad often took less for themselves to accommodate for the added mouths to feed but it pleased them to do so. Besides, dad was more than happy to follow his dinner with a slice of Wonder bread, slathered with butter and peanut butter if he was still hungry:)
Yesterday, Easter in my house fell short of mom's Easter Extravaganzas but we still had a nice day. I did start the day with Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee but not at the crack of dawn since Zach and Eric slept in until almost 11:00. Now that they are teenagers, the excitement and wonder just isn't there...or so I thought. Before going to bed Saturday night, Eric stated, "I hope the Easter Bunny doesn't forget to hide our baskets like he did last year." At 13, he certainly doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny anymore, but this was his not-so-subtle way to say, "Hey mom, I'm still a kid. Don't drop the ball like you did last year!" Oops! I guess I forget that my video game and zombie junkies are still kids after all. Trust me, the Easter Bunny didn't forget to hide their baskets this year...in fact, they didn't find them for nearly an hour! It was so good to see them laughing and having fun, I think I'll hide eggs for them next year...just like grandma used to. :o)
Russ had to work yesterday so he didn't get home until close to dinnertime. Unfortunately, he and the boys decided they didn't want the traditional ham dinner that I was looking forward to cooking, so instead we had filet mignon with mom's mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus, Au gratin potatoes, Easter bread, and frozen mixed veggies (for Eric). In the evening, we took a triple-chocolate cheesecake over to my sister Patty's house for dessert since she was still down in the dumps when I spoke to her after dinner. We had some laughs, along with coffee and yummy cheesecake so it was the perfect end to the day.
Maybe it's ok to start new traditions as long as we hold onto the memories of the old ones with all of our might.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
My One and Only Shot
Today was the first day of school. Today was the last first day of school for Zach. Oh sure, he'll have first days each year of college but today was the last first day that I will be giving him a quick hug and sending him off to school from home sweet home.
He knew better than to argue when I pulled out my camera and I knew better than to push my luck by taking more than one picture. I had one shot and one shot only...literally. I forgot to charge my camera battery and was only able to take one picture before the battery died. It's not quite a smile but I'll take it. I can't say I blame him for being less than chipper - I guess I wouldn't be too thrilled if I had to tackle AP Physics first thing in the morning.
Lucky for me, Eric leaves for school a half hour later than his brother so I had time to quick-charge the battery. Unlike Zach, Eric is more than happy to oblige his mother when it comes to posing for pictures.
This is my 8th Grader - Student Council president and goofball extraordinaire.
It's not even 9:00 and I miss 'em already.
He knew better than to argue when I pulled out my camera and I knew better than to push my luck by taking more than one picture. I had one shot and one shot only...literally. I forgot to charge my camera battery and was only able to take one picture before the battery died. It's not quite a smile but I'll take it. I can't say I blame him for being less than chipper - I guess I wouldn't be too thrilled if I had to tackle AP Physics first thing in the morning.
Lucky for me, Eric leaves for school a half hour later than his brother so I had time to quick-charge the battery. Unlike Zach, Eric is more than happy to oblige his mother when it comes to posing for pictures.
This is my 8th Grader - Student Council president and goofball extraordinaire.
It's not even 9:00 and I miss 'em already.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Wear Gold for Chidlhood Cancer Awareness Month!
My name is Candy and I ♥ bald kids.
We all know what the pink ribbon stands for but do you have any idea what color ribbon represents childhood cancer? It's GOLD. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and it would be a dream-come-true to see cars and shirts emblazoned with gold ribbons all over the world.
Yes, KIDS GET CANCER! Each year, more than 12,500 children are diagnosed with some form of cancer. That's nearly two classrooms full of kids EVERY DAY! Kinda makes your head spin, doesn't it?
How many of you have seen St. Jude programs on TV and changed the channel because they're "just too painful" to watch? You're certainly not alone. I've been working as a cancer-support volunteer for 7 years now and my own friends and family ask me how I can visit the websites of sick kids and send them mail every day. "Isn't it depressing?" "Don't you get upset?" Yes, it's depressing. Yeah, I absolutely get upset. I cry almost every day. But you know what? I smile a hell of a lot too. Following the journeys of these amazing kids has inspired me to be a better person. Just knowing that the care package I sent took a child's mind off their illness for a fraction of a second is a pretty incredible feeling. But I don't do it for me.
Most of us know (or know of) a child who has been stricken with cancer. Maybe it's the little girl down the street. Or that sweet boy who used to deliver your paper. Your friend's daughter. A fellow church member. Your boss' son. Your cousin. Your niece. Your grandson. Many of us have shed tears over the news of a young cancer warrior's passing, whether we knew and loved the child or simply read about him in the paper. Cancer has touched each and every one of our lives.
My point? Cancer is running rampant and NO family is immune. Cancer is not selective. Cancer doesn't care if your little boy is getting ready for his first day of kindergarten. Or if your daughter was just asked to prom by the coolest guy in school. Cancer is blind to the fact that you don't have health insurance or your your husband/wife just lost his/her job. Cancer doesn't ask permission before it uproots your life, threatens your marriage, devastates your finances, tortures your child...cancer just doesn't care.
PLEASE, I beg of you, do something to honor these young heroes this month. Donate blood. Wear a gold ribbon. Join the National Marrow Registry. Make a donation to cancer research. Spread awareness. Support a cancer organization. Run a 5k. Walk a 5k. Send a pizza to (or make dinner for) a family who is living with cancer. Offer to babysit the siblings of a sick child or take them out for a day of fun. Volunteer at your local Ronald McDonald House (cooking a meal, donating pantry items, etc.) Buy a t-shirt that raises funds for cancer. Sit down with your children and draw colorful pictures and drop them off at your local children's hospital. Buy a glass of lemonade at a lemonade stand that supports childhood cancer. Hold your own lemonade stand. Send a card. Hug a cancer mom. Make eye contact and smile at that bald in Target. Pray. Pray again. And when you're too tired to pray, pray a little more. (See links>>>>>)
Just do SOMETHING.
Doing Something = Big Smile. See?
We all know what the pink ribbon stands for but do you have any idea what color ribbon represents childhood cancer? It's GOLD. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and it would be a dream-come-true to see cars and shirts emblazoned with gold ribbons all over the world.
Yes, KIDS GET CANCER! Each year, more than 12,500 children are diagnosed with some form of cancer. That's nearly two classrooms full of kids EVERY DAY! Kinda makes your head spin, doesn't it?
How many of you have seen St. Jude programs on TV and changed the channel because they're "just too painful" to watch? You're certainly not alone. I've been working as a cancer-support volunteer for 7 years now and my own friends and family ask me how I can visit the websites of sick kids and send them mail every day. "Isn't it depressing?" "Don't you get upset?" Yes, it's depressing. Yeah, I absolutely get upset. I cry almost every day. But you know what? I smile a hell of a lot too. Following the journeys of these amazing kids has inspired me to be a better person. Just knowing that the care package I sent took a child's mind off their illness for a fraction of a second is a pretty incredible feeling. But I don't do it for me.
Most of us know (or know of) a child who has been stricken with cancer. Maybe it's the little girl down the street. Or that sweet boy who used to deliver your paper. Your friend's daughter. A fellow church member. Your boss' son. Your cousin. Your niece. Your grandson. Many of us have shed tears over the news of a young cancer warrior's passing, whether we knew and loved the child or simply read about him in the paper. Cancer has touched each and every one of our lives.
My point? Cancer is running rampant and NO family is immune. Cancer is not selective. Cancer doesn't care if your little boy is getting ready for his first day of kindergarten. Or if your daughter was just asked to prom by the coolest guy in school. Cancer is blind to the fact that you don't have health insurance or your your husband/wife just lost his/her job. Cancer doesn't ask permission before it uproots your life, threatens your marriage, devastates your finances, tortures your child...cancer just doesn't care.
PLEASE, I beg of you, do something to honor these young heroes this month. Donate blood. Wear a gold ribbon. Join the National Marrow Registry. Make a donation to cancer research. Spread awareness. Support a cancer organization. Run a 5k. Walk a 5k. Send a pizza to (or make dinner for) a family who is living with cancer. Offer to babysit the siblings of a sick child or take them out for a day of fun. Volunteer at your local Ronald McDonald House (cooking a meal, donating pantry items, etc.) Buy a t-shirt that raises funds for cancer. Sit down with your children and draw colorful pictures and drop them off at your local children's hospital. Buy a glass of lemonade at a lemonade stand that supports childhood cancer. Hold your own lemonade stand. Send a card. Hug a cancer mom. Make eye contact and smile at that bald in Target. Pray. Pray again. And when you're too tired to pray, pray a little more. (See links>>>>>)
Just do SOMETHING.
Doing Something = Big Smile. See?
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