Sunday, January 31, 2010

Look Who's 15!

It seems like yesterday that this incredibly beautiful baby boy that was placed in to our arms. Yet, he turns 15 today. Monday he will be taking the DMV test for his Learners Permit. The time just goes by WAY too quickly.
John is funny, sweet, intelligent, kind and giving.

We love you so much, John James. We wish you only wonderful things in life. Happy Happy Birthday

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Did You Hear the One About.... Sentimental Sunday No. 38

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to revisit "Sentimental Sunday's".

Have I told you about the time that I almost drowned in my godfather’s pool? The entire family was right there. My mom and dad, my godparents, most of my godfather’s large Italian family, and I was on the bottom of the pool.

Mom and Dad had paid for swimming lessons that summer. I was four. Dad wanted to be sure that I was safe and knew how to swim well enough so that I wouldn’t drown. I had been in the pool with my dad and he said it was time for me to get out. Although I had been taking lessons, he still had me wear “floaties” so that I would be safe. He wanted to get out first so that he could get changed and come back with a towel for me to dry off and one for my long hair too. He took the floaties off of me and told me stay there. He meant the stairs of the pool – I guess I thought he meant “that general area”. So, off the steps I went.

I was bouncing around and I guess I got too deep. I remembered that dad had told me if I ever got too deep to remember to hold my breath. About that time Aunt Catherine must have seen me on the bottom of the pool. She yelled to my Mom and Dad, “Isn’t that Cindy on the bottom of the pool?” My Dad jumped in and pulled me up. He told me that when he got down there with me, my eyes were open and my cheeks were puffed out. I was holding my breath like he told me.

I don’t really have a clear memory of this event; just my recollection of the story that Dad told me many times. I do remember being at the bottom of the pool though, holding my breath. I don’t think I was scared – but I scared the life right out of my dad. I wasn’t allowed to be in the pool – even on the steps – by myself for a long time after that!

My parents, godparents and me. I was 9 in this photo - and had mastered swimming!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Adventures in Costuming

So, my son comes home and announces this past weekend that he has a report due in his Bible class and will have to make his presentation about his report "in costume" on Friday.
Ok. No worries. I can whip something up to match his chosen person from the Bible, Nehemiah.
Yeah, right! That was before he announced last night - at 8pm - that he was wrong and the report was due today and he needs his costume by tomorrow. OY VAY! So, off to Wal-Mart I ventured to buy the fabric.
Tonight I cut and sewed (without a pattern I might add) and this is what we came up with...

I'm not so sure that he looks like Nehemiah. I think I may have accidentally made a Jedi Warrior costume from Star Wars... But, hopefully his Bible teacher won't make that connection!

Posted by Picasa

Monday, January 18, 2010

An Early Birthday Party

John's 15th birthday isn't until the end of the month. But, he wanted to have some friends over this weekend to celebrate.

Mason & Justin

Reid

Blowing out the candles

It's funny. When they were little they would come with a small bag full of lego's or cars. Their jammies and something to cuddle with. Now, they show up with their computers and monitors and keyboards. Several trips back and forth to the car later - they are settled into one room playing computer games over the internet, while seated next to each other. I joked that it looked like everyone was "moving in" when they arrived. What a difference a few years makes.

It's hard to believe my "little boy" is going to be 15. I don't know where the years have gone. He is studying for his Learner's Permit. He'll take the test in a few weeks. Lord help me. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Golden Globes

are today. I can't wait. We've seen almost all the nominated movies and performances. I will be firmly planted in front of the television from 3pm on. (Have to catch the Red Carpet arrivals, don't ya know!)

Monday, January 11, 2010

On The Road Again

I hit the road early this morning to travel to Lacey WA to conduct training classes for our employees. I work for a bank and am one of the corporate trainers. I love what I do. It's very rewarding - and I think I'm pretty good at it. I love the little bit of travelling that I get to do, and always enjoy the opportunity to see employees that I don't otherwise get to spend time with.

It's a fun reprieve for me to be on my own for several evenings and just have myself to take care of. And I think Richard and J.J. enjoy playing bachelors for a few evenings. They have all their favorite take-out places lined up for lunches and dinners.

I like travelling occasionally, but I certainly wouldn't want to be gone on a regular basis. I miss my "men" and my kitties, and the comforts of my home.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Award Season...

... is looming large. The Golden Globes are next weekend, and the Screen Actor's Guild awards the weekend after that. We've been trying to see as many nominated movies as possible. It's an exciting time of year around our house.
photo from moviewatchingonline.info
Last night I saw "Precious" with my friend Jenn. Richard really wasn't interested in seeing it. I will say he probably would have hated it. Very tough movie to watch. To see a mother allow her daughter to be abused in that way, and to watch the mother abuse her as well - it was heart breaking. However, that said, there were definitely some award winning performances in the film. In particular Mo'nique deserves all of the nominations she has received thus far, and I hope that she wins those awards. She was amazing as the mother.

Friday, January 8, 2010

I Can't Believe...

...that I won the "Wholly Guacamole" contest sponsored by Foodie BlogRoll. I belong to that site for my GumboYaYa blog.


The package arrived today and was brimming with delicious guacamole, chips, salsa, a rolling ice chest, t-shirt, baseball cap and pens. What a wonderful surprise and delicious way to end the first week of the year.

If you haven't tried Wholly Guacamole - you should. We opened the Spicy Guac and it was fabulous.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

Another year has come and gone. In fact, it's been another decade! We rang in the new year with our good friends, and most excellent neighbors, Kerry, Dodi & Alyssa.

We started the evening at their house for drinks and appetizers. The doggies wanted to be included in the festivities.
We returned to our house for dinner and some fun games. Here we are laughing and carrying on around the table.



The evening ended with champagne, Dick Clark New Year's Rockin Eve, kisses and hugs all around and few more photos.

It's been a great year and we look forward to all the wonderful things that 2010 has in store for us.


Happy New Year everyone!
Related Posts with Thumbnails