Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

How did my daughter and I celebrate such a day? It's actually a very special day to me and always has been.

I've always respected Martin Luther King, Jr. What he stood for, preached for, fought for... means even more.

Why, you might ask? Well, I was just two years old when he died so I have no memories of anything while he was alive.

I think, for me, it's because of my family. In every family there is history and where there is history there are stories that are told to you as a child that stick with you. These stories help build your respect for your family, those around you, and can also help build up some respect for yourself.

One of the stories that has stuck in my mind since I was young was that that my aunts and uncles, were discriminated against because of their skin color... and yes, including myself. Some were "forced to ride in the back of the bus". I know that sounds so cliche, but some of the stories I've been told of their experiences makes me respect and love them that much more. It's just what I've been told...

I will NEVER forget being called a pickaninny by, of all people, a teacher because I was running where I was not supposed to be at school. I had no idea what it was until I went home to ask my mom.

So, how did my daughter and I celebrate today? We went to a pizza place where we were with a very beautifully diverse group of friends in a place that was filled with beautifully diverse people... having a really fantastic time!!!

Not in the too distant past would that have been possible. It wouldn't have been made possible now without the Martin Luther King, Jr.s or the Rosa Parks...

Embrace our differences and love each other for how well we treat each other...

The New Year...

So I'm well into the first month of the new year. There's not much about this month that has been exciting -- yet -- or even mildly noteworthy. I just feel responsible to write something here so I don't lag behind too far.

There's so much in my head at the most inopportune times, but alas, I forget to write things down and that trickles into not posting anything at all.

Time is passing by so quickly... so much has happened in the last few years and it's all gone by in such a blink... a fraction of a blink it seems.

My wee one is not so wee anymore and she's just turned seven in this new year! Seven!!! I can still picture the day she came into our lives and even that seems like a fraction of a blink for the timespan.

Wow! Am I getting old...?

I'm hoping this year brings about a lot of change and hopefully good change. Lordy knows, I sure need some good to come my way. I feel there's plenty of good in my family and my friends... in the fun things that we do, in the good times, in the people we meet along the way. Along the way as in this life journey we are on.

Okay, enough mushy stuffy...

Happy belated New Year to all... at least to any or the very few that may pass by and read this.

Woo woo!

I got firewood!!! Yay!

I've been promising Miracle a fire in our little fireplace for that last couple weeks, but just haven't gotten myself out there to buy the firewood. I'm very bound and determined to have it all prepared for either Christmas Eve or Christmas night

We were invited by our sister company in the building to join them today for lunch and a white elephant gift exchange. Lunch was very good and they seemed all ready for this gift exchange. They seem like a really fun bunch of people

One of the first gift searcher outers was opening up a white box that ended up being firewood! How perfect of a gift is that for me!!

Of course, it was snatched up not only once, but twice!! There was still about ten numbers and plenty of time for someone else to snatch it up before I got a chance.

Number 21!! That's me!!

I slithered on over to the "victim" and stole that box right out from under her!

MUAHHAAHHAA!

Now, I do realize that this is NOT what the holiday season is about whatsoever, but when you've made a promise to your child and don't have the extra funds to possibly pull that promise off, I guess you go to whatever lengths you can.

I know, I'm being dramatic and I didn't actually slither on over, but the excitement was definitely building for me.

We had a great time and Gearge, the greyhound, went away with a very nice gray plaid scarf... from Macy's!!!

See Mom? There's gifts under the tree!

So, I was on the phone with my brother yesterday discussing Christmas and his family coming down possibly. We also discussed how tight this holiday is for everyone and that we wouldn't exchange gifts. It's tough not being able to get anything for the kids, but just spending time with them is good enough for me... and will have to do.

I have found that living in a matchbox of a townhome, even two-story, yields for not much privacy and I have to keep in mind that I've got a little one with really BIG ears. It's amazing what they pick up, even when you talk in code.

Miracle must have heard one part of the converation while I was in the kitchen near the laundry area and she was playing in the family room (mind you, it's only mere steps and no wall seperating the kitchen and the family room) when I mentioned that I didn't have any gifts under the tree yet and wasn't sure if or when I'd be able to.

Magically and unbenownst to me, she got up and put one of her toys in this huge bag. She got a hair tie and tied the top. She also got a small gift bag and put some of her toys in there and placed both under the tree.

I finished up my conversation and went into the family room and she looked at me while walking over to the tree. She pointed down and said, "Look, mommy, we do have gifts under the tree. I have the big one and the little one. I'm going to play with the big one later".

That cracked me up and just about made me cry. We spent a whole day at a community center working with some very needy families and some of the homeless community. I think she took away a lot from that experience and throughout this season.

We've been talking about other families less fortunate than we are and that it's good to help when you can. She's been talking about it here and there and it makes me feel really good that I've got a very compassionate little girl!

Of course Mommy thinks she's awesome!

Bonfires and the best of friends...

I really enjoy the Autumn season. Living in Southern California, however, if we actually DO get some Autumn time, it's usually short-lived.

While living in the land of milk and honey… or better yet Oranges at one time that I can actually remember, we have it pretty good where the weather is concerned. We may have the occasional earthquake or “tremor” more likely, but all in all, it’s a pretty natural disaster-inclement weather-free area.

This past weekend, Miracle and I went to a beach bonfire.

I… LOVE… bonfires!

There’s something about being at the beach at night in the first place, then you add some “chilly” breezes, warm clothes, and a great fire. The icing on the cake, though, is the people. It makes me happy to just be around some wonderful people and enjoy the sounds of chit chat, catching up, giggles from the kids, and the laughter!

The laughter, for me, is the best medicine to ease a long tough day of doing the chores, the homework, the general running around. When we are with some good friends… all the other stresses of the world seem to go away… if just for that short period of time.

Today, I say thank you to all my SMAPs that were able to attend the bonfire… and to those that could not. We had a fantabulously wonderful time!!!

The Stinky Girl

My daughter LOVES LOVES French Onion Soup!!!

It's definitely NOT one of my favorites, but for some reason she just loves it. I always know what she has had for lunch when she goes to Mama Cilla and Papa Chuck's house because, quite frankly, she STINKS -- not to mention the fact that it seeps from her pores for at least a day or two!

Somehow, by the magic of just being the "Miracle" that she is, she convinces them to go to Mimi's Cafe and gets her usual little bowl of the soup with some fruit. At least it's healthy, I guess!!

This was a little ditty of a poem I made up... again, just to make her laugh!

French Onion Soup and the Little Stinky Girl

She's all woken up this mornin'

All sleepy-eyed and a-yawnin'

She's wearing her Barbie gown so pink

But boy, oh boy, does that little girl stink!

How can something ever so cute

So sweet as fresh picked fruit

Smell so awfully bad?

See, my little girl has a weakness

And that, I truly know

Our family got together, the troup

And at dinner she had the French Onion Soup!

This is truly how it goes

Everyone around her knows

She loves the stuff so very much

But the next day, it's hard to be around her and such

All I really want to say

To her this very day

Before you go potty

Brush your teeth cuz you smell rotty!

One look from my yawny girl

Makes my heart a-flitter and a-whirl

None of it really matters

One look, one kiss and the smell just goes and shatters!

I know! It sounds so mean, but hey, it got her giggling again!

My daughter is a hoarder

As a disclaimer, in no way am I making fun of this debilitating disease, but I am finding that my daughter has these tendencies that could possibly turn into something down the road.

Could it?

I find her little stashes of things EVERYWHERE.

I find chapsticks, dressup earrings, a plethora of toy cell phones, broken cell phones, pens up the WAZOO, pads of papers, torn papers, cut papers, cards, playing cards... you name it, it's there.

And they are all in my car!!!!!

I go to clean out my car periodically, but try to stay on a schedule once a week since we are just scrambling from here to there and back around again.

She has these little -- and sometimes big -- items crammed into the deep crevices of the seat cushions, the door handle slots, the pouches (yes, plural!) in the back seats.

How does she actually smuggle this stuff in there?!?!?!? She goes into the car with a tiny little pocket book or purse bag and leaves this mound of stuff when she exits!

Is she stuffing her shirt, her skirt, her undies???

This is a phenomena that I may never find the answer to.

But, it cracks me up to say the least!

When I bring it to her attention, she gives me a little side look, bobbles her head a wee bit... then giggles!!!

I love that little girl o' mine!