If you don't fail now and again,
it's a sign that you're playing it safe.
Lucky Numbers
1, 20, 51, 2, 31, 19
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1230
You are always welcome
in any gathering.
Lucky Numbers
27, 15, 31, 55, 28, 7
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1229
Your heart is pure,
and your mind clear,
and soul devout.
Lucky Numbers
41, 21, 6, 44, 43, 27
Monday, December 28, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1228
You can only live once, but if you
do it right, once is enough.
Lucky Numbers
14, 28, 27, 7, 41, 38
Sunday, December 27, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1227
You will spend old age
in comfort and material wealth.
Lucky Numbers
18, 25, 2, 17, 56, 31
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Happy Holidays!
From our home to yours, Merry Christmas from The House of Chaos!
 |
| Piggy in his new Winter NapSack |
Thursday, December 24, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1224
You begin to appreciate how
important it is to share your
personal beliefs.
Lucky Numbers
23, 33, 24, 48, 7, 50
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1223
Your help will be needed in an
embarrassing situation.
Lucky Numbers
6, 51, 35, 32, 28, 37
Monday, December 21, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1222
You can't steal second base and
keep one foot on first.
Lucky Numbers
38, 39, 18, 3, 19, 37
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1221
You will be singled
out for promotion
Lucky Numbers
2, 15, 25, 32, 44, 11
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Pho
One of Charles' favorite restaurants is a little vietnamese Pho place on the far edge of town.
Sometimes, when the minions are in school or off at friends houses, we will make the trek to the less explored part of town and let ourselves become enveloped in the deep and rich smells of homemade pho.
One day, with the kids in tow, we were running late on the timing of our errands so we began to banter about ideas for what we should do for lunch.
Thinking aloud over restaurants that we hadn't been to in a long time, we passed by Pho's. On a lark, we tossed that out as an idea - and after some discussion that we didn't have enough time to fully enjoy a meal there - we decided upon another little cafe in town.
Later, after finishing our meal and heading out again to finish our errands - the girl expressed relief.
"I'm so glad we didn't eat at that pho place you mentioned. I couldn't imagine why you would want to eat at a place named "My feet are numb."
Sometimes, when the minions are in school or off at friends houses, we will make the trek to the less explored part of town and let ourselves become enveloped in the deep and rich smells of homemade pho.
One day, with the kids in tow, we were running late on the timing of our errands so we began to banter about ideas for what we should do for lunch.
Thinking aloud over restaurants that we hadn't been to in a long time, we passed by Pho's. On a lark, we tossed that out as an idea - and after some discussion that we didn't have enough time to fully enjoy a meal there - we decided upon another little cafe in town.
Later, after finishing our meal and heading out again to finish our errands - the girl expressed relief.
"I'm so glad we didn't eat at that pho place you mentioned. I couldn't imagine why you would want to eat at a place named "My feet are numb."
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Season's End
As another season in the garden comes to an end, we rake the leaves, clean the garden and say goodbye to summer's grace.
This time of year is always bittersweet, while produce from the garden continues to be enjoyed thru these colder months, and the list of daily to-do's begins to lessen, it's also a time of loss and sorrow.
There will be no more flowers, butterflies or surprise fruits to be enjoyed. The last vine ripened tomatoes or crisp green beans are quickly being harvested with no more to replace them.
Taking a moment from the hard work and sitting on AunT's bench and looking over the garden an array of memories from seasons' past reveals a sobering emotion.
The sharpness of our memories of AunT is fading. The kids are remembering less and less of her personality, of their time with her. As they've grown more inquisitive about her, it can be difficult to decide if what they are remembering about her is from their own experience, or one that they've been told and made their own.
They ask more questions about her, aware now that their curiosity don't cause tears to flow as they did in years past.
It is when I'm in the garden that I grieve the most for my Sister.
That is where most of my memories with her were made, where our conversations moved beyond the casual. The garden is where my sister let down her guard and shared her fears, her daily challenges, of her life’s experiences and of all the research she’d done in preparing for life after graduating from college.
We debated, we argued and we shared. She ended nearly every conversation with “Don’t you DARE tell anyone.” She would then stand, right her clothing, breath deep and the facade would be firmly in place once again.
While the memories and tears do not flow as easily as they once did, resting in the garden after a hard day’s work the mood is still one of contemplation, reflection, and in the end, melancholy. That is, until I’m discovered by one of the kids, and they join me and begin the conversation about next year's garden.
As part of each growing season, you reflect on the details of the months past. What worked, what didn't, what you wish you had been able to do had there been more time and energy in the days.
It’s not unlike parenting. I can only hope that my talents extend beyond those of the garden.
This time of year is always bittersweet, while produce from the garden continues to be enjoyed thru these colder months, and the list of daily to-do's begins to lessen, it's also a time of loss and sorrow.
There will be no more flowers, butterflies or surprise fruits to be enjoyed. The last vine ripened tomatoes or crisp green beans are quickly being harvested with no more to replace them.
Taking a moment from the hard work and sitting on AunT's bench and looking over the garden an array of memories from seasons' past reveals a sobering emotion.
The sharpness of our memories of AunT is fading. The kids are remembering less and less of her personality, of their time with her. As they've grown more inquisitive about her, it can be difficult to decide if what they are remembering about her is from their own experience, or one that they've been told and made their own.
They ask more questions about her, aware now that their curiosity don't cause tears to flow as they did in years past.
It is when I'm in the garden that I grieve the most for my Sister.
That is where most of my memories with her were made, where our conversations moved beyond the casual. The garden is where my sister let down her guard and shared her fears, her daily challenges, of her life’s experiences and of all the research she’d done in preparing for life after graduating from college.
We debated, we argued and we shared. She ended nearly every conversation with “Don’t you DARE tell anyone.” She would then stand, right her clothing, breath deep and the facade would be firmly in place once again.
While the memories and tears do not flow as easily as they once did, resting in the garden after a hard day’s work the mood is still one of contemplation, reflection, and in the end, melancholy. That is, until I’m discovered by one of the kids, and they join me and begin the conversation about next year's garden.
As part of each growing season, you reflect on the details of the months past. What worked, what didn't, what you wish you had been able to do had there been more time and energy in the days.
It’s not unlike parenting. I can only hope that my talents extend beyond those of the garden.
Doors
Pulling up to a jeep without doors, Charles comments “oops, they forgot their door.”
“Jeeps don't come with doors. But it has a back door. And a latch for a front door… and that's a GIRL!”
The soft voice of BW contributes, “You’re missing a door to your brain…”
JB scattered along for another 30 seconds and suddenly burst out with a screech - “Did you really JUST say that?!” and began huffering and puffering.
After several minutes of intelligible mumbling, again JB contributed... “It's all fun until someone poops on the party.” as she folded her arms across her chest and let out one last huff before silently staring out the window.
“Jeeps don't come with doors. But it has a back door. And a latch for a front door… and that's a GIRL!”
The soft voice of BW contributes, “You’re missing a door to your brain…”
JB scattered along for another 30 seconds and suddenly burst out with a screech - “Did you really JUST say that?!” and began huffering and puffering.
After several minutes of intelligible mumbling, again JB contributed... “It's all fun until someone poops on the party.” as she folded her arms across her chest and let out one last huff before silently staring out the window.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1219
You have an important new
business development shaping up.
Lucky Numbers
7, 40, 1, 26, 28, 35
Friday, December 18, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1218
While you're carrying a grudge,
others are out dancing.
Lucky Numbers
19, 8, 42, 2, 38, 15
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Beans
 |
| Beans Adoption Photo |
He had been at Animal House for more than 6 weeks, and other than our House of Chaos, none expressed interest in him. We consider ourselves to be incredibly lucky.
Little by little we've found that Beans picked up all sorts of tricks during his time on the streets. He's taking his time at revealing them but our favorite to date has to be his ability to unzip purses, coat pockets, and backpacks.
While this may be a nifty skill and might one day have a valid purpose, Beans has had to surrender the contents of his tummy several times this year due to his impressive rummaging skills and ability to find any and all food or food-stuffs that we thought were safely tucked away.
The first time we zipped Beans over to the vet for an emergency, he won over everyone's hearts not with his small stature, his happy-go-lucky smile or wagging tail. No, it was that after such a rough procedure when administering active charcoal to sop up any remaining contents, he began licking it greedily from the vet's hand and sought more even after licking down several handfuls.
In all of her years of practice, she'd never seen such a thing, and when we arrived at the clinic to pick him up, the vet and her staff were fussing over him, to which he wiggled with glee.
After the antics of our Grey, Squirt, we learned long ago to never ask 'what's next?'... But sometimes I silently do wonder.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1217
Good news of a long-awaited
event will arrive soon.
Lucky Numbers
15, 14, 53, 1, 8, 18
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1216
If you chase two rabbits,
both will escape.
Lucky Numbers
53, 50, 13, 22, 30, 1
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1215
Try a new hat for a change in looks.
Be creative!
Lucky Numbers
1, 4, 19, 23, 26, 40
Monday, December 14, 2015
Why Bagel Holes?
We survived the weekend!! YAY!
After months of rehearsals, Nutcracker is a memory, at least until next August when auditions are scheduled.
At school, the Girl's class is reading 'The Secret Garden', and having recently watched the movie production of it, she's taken up speaking with a slight British-esk accent.
While preparing lunch for the school day ahead, she asked in a proper voice "Mother, bagel holes are so annoying! You are eating your bagel merrily along, and suddenly there is this ginormous GOB of cream cheese. Why do they even have a hole?!"
(Sipping coffee that is too hot to gulp down on this morning that has started far too early, are we really talking about this right now?) "Probably so they cook evenly, I suppose."
"Fair point. So why is it that they don't put the hole back?"
(My God she does remind me of AunT some days.)
"And they would do that... how?"
"Hum... I'll have to get back to you on that."
I'm not holding my breath in the meantime.
After months of rehearsals, Nutcracker is a memory, at least until next August when auditions are scheduled.
At school, the Girl's class is reading 'The Secret Garden', and having recently watched the movie production of it, she's taken up speaking with a slight British-esk accent.
While preparing lunch for the school day ahead, she asked in a proper voice "Mother, bagel holes are so annoying! You are eating your bagel merrily along, and suddenly there is this ginormous GOB of cream cheese. Why do they even have a hole?!"
(Sipping coffee that is too hot to gulp down on this morning that has started far too early, are we really talking about this right now?) "Probably so they cook evenly, I suppose."
"Fair point. So why is it that they don't put the hole back?"
(My God she does remind me of AunT some days.)
"And they would do that... how?"
"Hum... I'll have to get back to you on that."
I'm not holding my breath in the meantime.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1214
If a true sense of value is to be yours
it must come through service.
Lucky Numbers
22, 15, 14, 41, 25, 30
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Fabulous
Finally, with all of the birthdays, Christmas celebrations, Nutcracker and end of school activities we had a chance to sit down and eat dinner as a family.
It was bliss. For more than two weeks we've been moving in different directions, without a lot of time to chat and catch up with each other beyond addressing the next crisis or scheduled some-place-to-be.
So busy in fact that I swear that the boy has grown a couple of inches since I last saw him.
And we are all anxious for the winter vacation - and tired... no, exhausted as indicated by JB's observation midway thru dinner.
"Holy Moly Cannoli! THAT was Fabulous!"
Agreeing that the meal Charles prepared was fabulous, we settled back into quiet chatter when JB stopped mid-sentence and asked "Wait, is fabulous even a word?"
Clearly we are a tired bunch. Only 1 more Nutcracker, two birthdays, a week of school and Finals week before we break for the holidays. Then, the only thing on our schedule is to eat, sleep and be merry.
It was bliss. For more than two weeks we've been moving in different directions, without a lot of time to chat and catch up with each other beyond addressing the next crisis or scheduled some-place-to-be.
So busy in fact that I swear that the boy has grown a couple of inches since I last saw him.
And we are all anxious for the winter vacation - and tired... no, exhausted as indicated by JB's observation midway thru dinner.
"Holy Moly Cannoli! THAT was Fabulous!"
Agreeing that the meal Charles prepared was fabulous, we settled back into quiet chatter when JB stopped mid-sentence and asked "Wait, is fabulous even a word?"
Clearly we are a tired bunch. Only 1 more Nutcracker, two birthdays, a week of school and Finals week before we break for the holidays. Then, the only thing on our schedule is to eat, sleep and be merry.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1213
Good things come to those
who wait. Be patient.
Lucky Numbers
4, 15, 16, 33, 46, 47
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Hovercars
While driving to or from one of the many Nutcracker rehearsals we've experienced this season, the Girl commented "The reason we don't have HoverCars is because people would zip up into outer space and die."
Where does she come up with this stuff?
Where does she come up with this stuff?
Friday, December 11, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1211
Your energy returns and
you get things done.
Lucky Numbers
2, 18, 12, 49, 53, 14
Thursday, December 10, 2015
#DaliyFortuneCookie 15-1210
You are full of hopes
about your future.
Lucky Numbers
13, 40, 9, 29, 30, 51
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1209
Getting together with old friends
brings new adventures.
Lucky Numbers
50, 3, 47, 31, 22, 14
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1208
Wishing does not make
a poor man rich.
Lucky Numbers
48, 50, 12, 17, 31, 41
Monday, December 7, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1207
Your emotions are right on the
surface, but that's okay.
Lucky Numbers
35, 55, 39, 30, 8, 21
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Saturday, December 5, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1205
You are smart,
for you do things smartly.
Lucky Numbers
42, 51, 34, 21, 48, 6
Friday, December 4, 2015
Ribbons
It happened just before Thanksgiving. My shy hiding-her-face-in-the-folds-of-my-clothing, comforted in the knowledge that I was 'just outside the door' of her ballet class daughter, requested that I drop her off at class and then leave.
She made her request in the nicest of ways. "Mama, how about if you drop me off and then take some time for yourself, it's such a hectic time of year for you."
"Honey, I'm good, I'll just knock out a lecture or two. I've got stuff to keep me busy."
My response was met with a palatable silence. Not even crickets were going to interrupt it.
"No, Mom. Really. Take some time. Have some coffee... Window shop even." (I paused at this, wondering what alien had taken possession of my dot, as everyone, even the dog, knows that Mama doesn't window shop.)
"I can stay, it's not a problem." I hesitantly replied.
"No. Mom. Leave. Go. Really. It's time."
And with that, we parted in silence. She bounded out of the car and into the studio and I lingering for a moment, watched as my grown and confident young lady laughed, socialized and wildly gestured a story with her friends.
As I drove away, I learned how to breath again... the sting of mom-hurt, taking hold as I realized that my delightful little one is growing and spreading her confident wings, and my role in her life is changing.
I've felt this emotion before. When she no longer wanted to hold me hand when we walked across the street, when she didn't want me to wait for her before school started for the day, and as she put together her last two Girl Scout presentations.
For all of my friends who have told me when I felt overwhelmed and knee deep in the muck of parenting two toddlers and then preschoolers to take 15 or so minutes to relax and then breath it all in and enjoy every possible moment - because their time as children is fleeting - I THANK YOU!
My nearly middle-schooler is quickly shedding any semblance of the child she used to be, and while I am thankful to be the one who gets to watch her grow and rise to meet the challenges of the world around her, I know that I will miss being able to see her in the day-in-day-out once she gains entry into the adult world.
It will then be time for me to watch from the sidelines and cheer her on as her friend and mentor. And I'll be honored to be there for her.
She made her request in the nicest of ways. "Mama, how about if you drop me off and then take some time for yourself, it's such a hectic time of year for you."
"Honey, I'm good, I'll just knock out a lecture or two. I've got stuff to keep me busy."
My response was met with a palatable silence. Not even crickets were going to interrupt it.
"No, Mom. Really. Take some time. Have some coffee... Window shop even." (I paused at this, wondering what alien had taken possession of my dot, as everyone, even the dog, knows that Mama doesn't window shop.)
"I can stay, it's not a problem." I hesitantly replied.
"No. Mom. Leave. Go. Really. It's time."
And with that, we parted in silence. She bounded out of the car and into the studio and I lingering for a moment, watched as my grown and confident young lady laughed, socialized and wildly gestured a story with her friends.
As I drove away, I learned how to breath again... the sting of mom-hurt, taking hold as I realized that my delightful little one is growing and spreading her confident wings, and my role in her life is changing.
I've felt this emotion before. When she no longer wanted to hold me hand when we walked across the street, when she didn't want me to wait for her before school started for the day, and as she put together her last two Girl Scout presentations.
For all of my friends who have told me when I felt overwhelmed and knee deep in the muck of parenting two toddlers and then preschoolers to take 15 or so minutes to relax and then breath it all in and enjoy every possible moment - because their time as children is fleeting - I THANK YOU!
My nearly middle-schooler is quickly shedding any semblance of the child she used to be, and while I am thankful to be the one who gets to watch her grow and rise to meet the challenges of the world around her, I know that I will miss being able to see her in the day-in-day-out once she gains entry into the adult world.
It will then be time for me to watch from the sidelines and cheer her on as her friend and mentor. And I'll be honored to be there for her.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1204
If you are wise with your
decisions, good things are bound
to come.
Lucky Numbers
38, 30, 26, 55, 20, 42
Thursday, December 3, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1203
Human Rights:
Know Them,
Demand Them,
Defend Them.
Lucky Numbers
28, 4, 34, 33, 40, 3
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1202
A pleasant surprise is
in store for you.
Lucky Numbers
11, 2, 34, 7, 47, 19
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Busy imagined?
It's on days like today that I wonder if being busy is something that we live, or if it is a construct of our minds and ToDo lists.
Looking at the calendar, holidays, birthdays, the semesters end for me, quarters end for the boy, and several performances of the nutcracker fill in the too small squares of the month. Add in various holiday parties, get togethers and spontaneous coffee dates and I often wonder what if anything can be taken off of the ever increasingly long ToDo list.
I swear, there are days when my ToDo list would give Santa's wish list a run for its money.
Thanksgiving break was last week - and after having a full week without work, I'm finding it challenging to get back in the saddle of the schedule and ride it out for the next three weeks. It's this way every year - and even though we have the December Survival Guide down to a science, I am no less in awe over how few hours in the day there seem to be.
So, I wonder. Am I really that busy, or am I spending so much time focusing on the 'what's next' that I've enslaved myself to the calendar to the point where I no longer recognize the quiet moments that exist to re-center a person.
It's a question that many friends are asking, and perhaps that is the source of my curiosity. Perhaps it's also that I'm ready for the winter break, when there are fewer activities and work obligations that fill in those calendar squares.
Whichever it may be, I'm ready for things to slow down for a bit.
Looking at the calendar, holidays, birthdays, the semesters end for me, quarters end for the boy, and several performances of the nutcracker fill in the too small squares of the month. Add in various holiday parties, get togethers and spontaneous coffee dates and I often wonder what if anything can be taken off of the ever increasingly long ToDo list.
I swear, there are days when my ToDo list would give Santa's wish list a run for its money.
Thanksgiving break was last week - and after having a full week without work, I'm finding it challenging to get back in the saddle of the schedule and ride it out for the next three weeks. It's this way every year - and even though we have the December Survival Guide down to a science, I am no less in awe over how few hours in the day there seem to be.
So, I wonder. Am I really that busy, or am I spending so much time focusing on the 'what's next' that I've enslaved myself to the calendar to the point where I no longer recognize the quiet moments that exist to re-center a person.
It's a question that many friends are asking, and perhaps that is the source of my curiosity. Perhaps it's also that I'm ready for the winter break, when there are fewer activities and work obligations that fill in those calendar squares.
Whichever it may be, I'm ready for things to slow down for a bit.
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1201
Happiness measures a person's
real wealth.
Lucky Numbers
3, 47, 26, 32, 23, 4
Monday, November 30, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1130
Fight for it.
You will come out on top.
Lucky Numbers
25, 10, 45, 51, 14, 52
Sunday, November 29, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1129
If you chase two rabbits,
both will escape.
Lucky Numbers
53, 50, 13, 22, 30, 1
Saturday, November 28, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1128
You should be of more tenderness
and less aggressiveness.
Lucky Numbers
49, 4, 9, 39, 26, 56
Friday, November 27, 2015
#DaliyFortuneCookie 15-1127
A secret admirer will soon send
you a sign of affection.
Lucky Numbers
11, 28, 35, 9, 27, 1
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1125
How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis?
Raise my hand.
Lucky Numbers:
26, 33, 42, 31, 38, 1
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1124
Your exotic ideas lead you to
many exciting, new adventures!
Lucky Numbers
17, 56, 34, 10, 31, 49
Monday, November 23, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1123
If you can't accept losing,
you can't win.
Lucky Numbers
2, 26, 7, 52, 25, 11
Sunday, November 22, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1122
Great acts of kindness will befall
you in the coming months.
Lucky Numbers
37, 40, 7, 2, 22, 15
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1119
You will take a chance
in the near future.
Lucky Numbers
4, 16, 23, 6, 34, 25
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1118
You are an outgoing and
fun loving person.
Lucky Numbers
22, 56, 52, 2, 32, 46
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1117
You can do everything
you ought to do.
Lucky Numbers
17, 27, 35, 15, 7, 14
Monday, November 16, 2015
#DailyFortuneCookie 15-1116
Have faith in the force of right
and not in the right of force.
Lucky Numbers
23, 13, 56, 16, 40, 44
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)