Near and Dear To My Heart

When I was a child I wore a locket often that belonged to my Aunt Wanda. It was a tiny locket that was fit for a child.  Gold inscribed with a "W," it had the slightest indentations on the back where the teeth of an indelible child left their mark. It has escaped my memory whether there were pictures or other treasures within the locket, but the mystery surrounding Aunt Wanda and her short life was my treasure.

I recall wearing it often. Standing in front of my mother's brown leather jewelry box on Sunday mornings before church, she would lean forward to fasten the necklace around my neck. Her own gold necklace would dangle in my face and as I leaned forward and swept my hair up I inhaled her sweet smell of perfume and she would fasten the treasure around my neck.

Thus began my love affair with lockets.

So, in the spirit of the Holidays which seems to be the onset of intense nostalgia  for me I could not pass up the opportunity to share this with you.

Locket love = Vintage Art Lockets at Verabel on Etsy.

I have a thing for birds. The majesty of the peacock plumage is a-maz-ing!

Did you know the females were appropriately called peahens rather than peacocks? Just a little fact, ladies. Tuck that away for your next game of trivia.

 Swoon. If I had this locket, I would tuck away the sweetest mementos of my very own dreamboat.

And isn't this the sweetest mother's locket? It would only be fitting to store the smallest and most precious of faces inside and wear them close to your heart always. 

Maybe something like this that captures his sweetness and innocence...

...or possibly this. Oh dang, he's a cutie pie!



Merry Thanksgiving Eve to all,

Cigs No More

Today, November 18, 2010, is the 35th annual Great American Smokeout! The American Cancer Society sponsors this event and asks smokers to commit to a smoke-free 24 hour day.

I was a smoker once.

I never participated in the Great American Smokeout Day.

But, I was always reamed with guilt on those days. Really. It stunk. Just like a stale cigarette. But, I just lit up and smoked away so I didn't have to think about it because smoking was my escape.



Man, smoking was fun. But golly, smoking made me feel like crap. I didn't even realize how bad I felt. At the peak of my smoking habit I was puffing away nearly two packs a day. NUTS! I can't even imagine how I had the time to do all that smoking.

Ironically time became my "excuse" to smoke. As if anyone needs an excuse. It was my 3 minute (and I could stretch it out to about 7 if I really tried) escape. You see, I could step outside of the office or the house and just look up at the sky or close my eyes and tune out all the noise around me and enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet. And it mattered not a bit to me that those few minutes were years I could be taking off my life as I chose to prematurely decay my lungs. Hello, who does that?!

Once I realized the stronghold smoking had on my life and figured out there were other, healthier ways to escape (not to mention cheaper, like crazy cheaper, and I smell better too) I decided to say Sayonara. Au revoir. Cheerio. So long. Bu-bye.

On July 5, 2007 I ditched the habit. Well, I did it with some help. Thank you Lord. Thank you Griffin. Thank you family. Thank you Dr. Corovessis. Thank you makers of Chantix.

It wasn't easy. It's still not easy. But, the rewards are immeasurable. And I still have fun without being a smoker. Lots of fun. And since I have reversed the effects of smoking in my life, I will be able to have fun even longer.

So there Big Tobacco. Take that. One less supporter. Nah, nah, nuh-nah, nah.

Yours Sincerely,

Personal Space Request

Dearest Right Inner Thigh,

You are a close friend and I enjoy your companionship immensly. However, lately you have begun to invade my personal space a little. The constant physical affection that you extend by rubbing up against me is a little uncomfortable. I would like to kindly ask that you respect our personal spaces just a little more in the near future.

Respectfully Yours,
Left Inner Thigh

Comments

I love my readers.

And more than that, I love your comments.

It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Really.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank YOU!

Happy Thursday,

The hat makes the man

....or does the man, make the hat?

My little man, is growing up so quickly. Before my very eyes, he is going through daily transformations. This season of life that he is in, is a constant state of flux.

Everything from his style of dress, to his desire to snuggle up to his mom on the sofa is changing. Rapidly. Almost a little too rapidly, if you ask me. If it was up to me, we'd pull the emergency brake on all of this growing stuff. We might even shift into reverse a little. But, that's just the selfish side of me.

Or maybe it's my aching womb.
Or it could just be the side that just doesn't want my baby to be leaving so soon. Like five more years to 18, soon!
Or maybe it's the intense baby fever that I have been battling, since the cutest little girl ever entered this world.
Or possibly I'm that mom that just doesn't want to let go. Can you say control freak? (Acknowledgement is the first step in solving your problems, people. I do know that. I'm working on it. )
Or possibly, I just want to smell the top of a new baby's head and squeeze the fat, rolled wrinkles on their thighs.
Or maybe, I am beginning to recognize that another woman will soon be moving into my territory. Cooking his meals, washing his clothes, picking up his stinky socks off the floor. Come to think of it, this might not be such a bad deal after all.

Regardless of how I feel about it though, he's changing. And there is nothing that I can do to stop it. No matter how loud I yell, "STOP IT!!!" (And I do that often.)



On a recent excursion to the mall, he became adamant about findhing a hat. Something that was cool. Cooler than cool.

So, Coolio decided to try them on. Only there wasn't a mirror near every stop we made. Enter the iPhone camera. Lucky for you.



Coolio wanted something that would capture his character. Something that would turn heads, but not draw so much attention that people gawked and gasped. Although, sometimes he likes to make people gawk and gasp when he drinks Dr. Pepper and belches in public.



"It needs to be flattering to my face, mom. You know I inherited these big cheeks from you and although they are adorable and all of the girls love them, I need something that doesn't make my face look fat."

I've got your back, kid. I would never let you purchase something unflattering.



Possibly the green would add just the right touch. A little fedora flare in green plaid? I like it. He doesn't. He says it screams "PIMP." What do you think?



All you need to go with this one is a pinstriped suit and some wing tipped shoes, big guy!



"MOM, I have to have it."

Really?

"Yes. Pretty, please with sugar on top?"

But, I said I wouldn't let you go there and get something that didn't bring out your best features.

"But, mooooommmmm! I haaaavve to haaaaave it. Please, please, please. Think of how it will help when I mow the grass to protect my skin."

Sold, to the kid with the best character and sales pitch in the world.

Keeping it cool with Coolio,

Pep Talk for Today

Today is one of those days where I need a pep talk. My very own personal daily affirmation.

So, this morning after having my daily dose of caffiene, I proceeded to climb onto the bathroom counter and redmind myself that...

"I like my pajamas."

And of course, so much more.

Liking you always,

Favorite Moments

It's a good day. You know the kind of good day where a smile creeps across your face effortlessly as soon as you step foot out of bed. The kind of day that can't be reckoned with. One that you wish you could bottle up and save for those days that are the exact oppposite.

In celebration of this good and happy day, I have been reflecting on some of my recent favorite moments.

A couple of  weeks ago I got to snuggle almost the entire weekend with the Sweetest Pea in the world.


Being with an amazing man, enjoying an incredible dinner at The Grove.


Clapping (literally) in the dressing room when I found the. perfect. pair. of. jeans. Let's not discuss the price tag. That would just be a damper on the mood here.

Devouring a stadium hotdog with the cutest, sweetest (most of the time) pre-teen boy I know. Even if the football wasn't so great because it was the last pre-season game and all second string players. It's really all about the food, right?!


Every moment my Dreamboat stretches his hand out to grab mine without thought but with so much purpose. It's especially nice when our fingers are interlocked and I get a little squeeze. Effortless yet sincere- it sweeps me off my feet. Every. Time.

How about you? Any favorite moments in your lives recently? I'd love to share this party with you.

And if any of you know how to bottle up this good stuff to save for the not-so-good-days, please, please don't hesitate to share with us.

Happy Day,