A tradition continues...

Tradition what does that mean to you? 

Is it a family favorite dish you make each Holiday, or a way you wrap your gifts? Do you always go to a certain place for Midnight Mass, or search for the pickle on the tree? Do you buy your kids Christmas Pajamas and make them open that one gift on Christmas Eve so they look good on Christmas morning, read the Night before Christmas, watch the Charlie Brown special? 

Do you go Christmas Caroling on the 23rd? We do! Actually we have sang Christmas Carols on the 23rd for almost 20 years now. See, the 23rd is Ashlynn's Birthday and that is what she always wanted to do on her birthday every year, so we did it over and over again... We have sang Christmas carols on the 23rd in a pick up truck, a trailer filled with Hay, and horse and buggy in Switzerland and froze to death many times. This year we will do it in Doha for her 20th Birthday. I'm pretty excited about that. (They don't know that yet.)

The Patrizi's have many traditions, some from grandparents years past, and some we have created over our own lifetime. We make a Patrizi Chipino Sauce with a million kinds of seafood on Christmas eve. I will never forget when I was married to David and they made it the first year and I was NOT going to eat it because it had squid in it. YUK! That was before I knew SQUID was Calamari!!! Jeff stuck his fork in my plate after I'd been eating it for 5 minutes and pulled out a bunch of tentacles and I about gagged!!! Now it is a race to see where we can get the freshest seafood, Kemah in the Gulf of Mexico, or the seafood market in the Persian Gulf?

Today I had another traditional event. My Christmas gathering. This year for all hot mammas! Twelve wonderful expat friends with the same Christmas champagne punch I have been making for 25 years and sharing our pasts with each other. Reminiscing about dancing with our Grandmothers in Louisiana, when we told our kids the truth about Santa, best Christmas in Africa spending the day at an orphanage, making sure we taught our kids the gift of charity and GIVING! 

Every single story told had nothing to do with materialistic gifts, only moments in time that were instilled in our souls of childhood ~ ONLY FEELINGS, not STUFF!!! I like that. 

Makes you realize it is not the gift you give that is remembered, but the way in which it is given. It's the hope you have, the faith in the season, glimpse of happiness and Joy, LOVE and how you end up remembering the most unimportant details.

We paused today from the enormous to do lists, and about 40 kids between us and it was nice.

Whatever is on your list this year, make sure "time" makes the top ten. It's free, you can get it anywhere, no standing in lines, no internet or UPS required. Time to do what you love, walking Bella in the mornings with Fiona, time to rearrange my table top one more time, time to entertain friends and family, time to cuddle. Oh BOY, Time to CUDDLE!!! GROUP HUG coming in 3 nights!!!

I have a Christmas Journal to write down memories I want to recall. Things not to forget and things not to do again. Stuff that works and didn't. One regret I've had over and over was not spending enough "time" doing this or that. 

That is exactly what I am asking for Christmas this year, TIME! 

A wonderful gift  ~  I can give to myself.

:)

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE THE MOST.

My obsession with decorations...

 Tis the season to be Jolly...

Oh come all ye faithful...

Deck the Halls!!! Now were talkin'...

 

Gifts are wrapped and waiting...

Pinocchio is welcoming you in the Poinsettias...

 Lanterns are adorned on the porch...

 Old St. Nicholas and his friends are ready to greet you!!!

This is the month for miracles. 

Where there is LOVE, there is always miracles... and where there is miracles there is great joy!

December's gifts... some come wrapped with tissue and ribbons, some are not... Some gifts are random acts of kindness and time and effort friends and family put forth to help make your memories fabulous.

The most important gifts really are the memories made. 

No shopping or wrapping required.

 MY CHILDHOOD SANTA, 

 A PRICELESS MEMORY 

RESIDES IN HIS PROTECTED PASTA GLOBE... 

This is the only Christmas decoration, other than the tree that my family had. I feel very blessed to have it now and put it out every year in a safe place... 

It is by far the most special decoration I own.

 People who know me, know I love Christmas decorations. Maybe it is an obsession. I'm OK with that. Problem is, I don't have it all here in one place. What a pity.

 and over time, you collect a bit more...  shoot, I might need another 20 foot container when I move...

There is one thing missing though, my nativity scene. 

I didn't bring it knowing that it could be confiscated due to the Muslim culture and didn't want to chance that. Religious artifacts are not allowed here although I do have a bunch of crosses and a huge St. Francis statue in my front entry. The nativity is really special, Chris and the kids bought it for me when we lived in Switzerland and it is fabulous.  So there is no Mary and Joesph, baby Jesus or 3 wise men here. They are safe in boxes in my closet in the states and I miss it a lot. 

It is the one thing we all need more of to remind us over and over again, it is not about the gifts under the tree or the fancy party, the cookies you haven't made yet, and all those last minute things you have to do...

The thoughts of the real reason for the season remains in our heart. 

Happy Birthday Jesus...

The table is set and ready for a 

Patrizi Safari Christmas!

All I need is them!

Wishing you peace and love and miracles this season...

Sher :)

The evil tongue lingers in the hearts of those we love...

Last week I had a precious british fellow come to a View and Order appointment alone and get all choked up and teary eyed looking at his precious daughters and wife in the slide show. I always play sappy music that has emotion and I have the Philosophy "If they cry, they Buy!" It usually is true. I have a box of Kleenex beside the computer just in case!!! When you see your family together in loving and a touching environment it is hard not to have your heart swallow up the wonderfulness of the feeling it gives you to know you are a part of this amazing world and emotion fills up your soul looking in the eyes of those you love the most. That is what makes my job fabulous! This is why I do it.

He called his wife in the UK and was overwhelmed with positive things to say. This family had never had a family portrait done before and he bought it from an auction item I had given as a donation of "Hope for Starving Children." His words of boasting and bragging about how fabulous the images are and how he had to get this and that because he just couldn't pick and had to have them all. He complimented me over and over and I was sitting right there feeling like I was successful and had completely fulfilled my quest for customer satisfaction... It was a good night for me. It never occurred to me this was for free ~  because the words he spoke were priceless.

The next day I had a father call from a daycare shoot I had done a few weeks ago. He was rude from the beginning of the conversation. He was unhappy with his image and I offered to let him come here and pick out a different pose but he wanted his money back and I agreed, but in the end he had to dig a little deeper and say something that really hurt my feelings. I took 129 kids at these nurseries that were 1, 2, 3 and 4 years old and were petrified of me and my camera and balloons and assistants.... I knew I couldn't please everyone and was prepared for that. But was it necessary that he make that last rude comment? It ruined my day. It ruined my week.

My Mother is 84 years old and in her 70's she told me when she was a senior in High School her basketball coach called her a nincompoop! She had never forgotten. 60 years later she still held that negative jab in her heart and soul.

We can be told our whole lifetime positive things about yourself, what your good at, compliments about your kids or physical appearance, or just random acts of kindness sent your way, but the one negative stab, hurts you worse than a thousand positive remarks. We are all guilty of saying things we shouldn't!

Our tongue is our worst weapon. The words and swords we throw from our mouth can harm a soul for a lifetime. The beautiful things we can say to others can calm and flourish a soul to grow, but one sharp comment can stay with us forever. I am going to commit to constantly compliment my husband, and friends, random ladies in purple shirts in the grocery store that look pretty, the nice street sweeper, GOD, teachers and especially my children.

Let's be remembered as someone that noticed "the good" in this place called earth.

Bella waiting for trick or treaters tonight...

Halloween was always one my favorite holidays with the kids when they were young. I worked on costumes for weeks to make them unique and original. We have so many good memories of the witch crashing into the tree in the front yard, bales of hay, giant huge scarecrows and a million pumpkins. 

One year they sent Nic home from school because he was too scarey!!! I always want to win the costume competitions, we have a few under our belt. Best was the gorilla caring the boy in a cage. Amanda was a nice witch one year with a green face and it rained. I was always home giving out candy with my momma. (I miss that too!) When Amanda got home her green face and black eyes were smeared all over her face and dress and she cried so hard even if it was over. Alex was always easy, she wanted to be tinkerbell or a football player and Ashlynn wanted to be a princess or jasmine, or sleeping beauty, whatever was on Disney! Chris has his traditional plumber outfit with the real butt crack hanging out about 6 inches. I will never forget the moment he turned around and my mother, his mother and my sister were there and went hysterical... Who would have thought Chris would show his real butt crack!!!

Tonight, I skipped softball to pass out candy with Bella. There are many kids in this compound I totally ADORE! I had tears when one of my favorite little cowgirls came up to see me. All these young families with precious children, and I am the old witch now! Oh well someone has to spoil them, only thing missing was I didn't get to snag all the reeses peanut butter cups out of the pile of candy.

The Patrizi's did give out gummy bear pizzas though, and of course ALL of the 100 traditional oranges with scarey painted faces, and Homer told me all the kids in the compound would avoid my house because I was the old lady that gave out oranges! 

Boo!!!!

Dianne Briscoe's Grandma

"When I look in the mirror 

it is not me I see, 

I'm on the inside!"

Wise words from 90 year old wrinkled face New Zealand Grandma...

When I was younger...

I liked baby cows... Still do...

My momma always made sure we appreciated nature, mainly trees and all the animals... 

When I was younger I climbed them with my homework and a book. I still love a grand tree. But haven't climbed one lately... But it is my dream to own a fabulous 100 year old oak tree one day in the near future...

I didn't care for Math, but I wasn't allowed to say the word hate, although that is exactly how I felt about it.

I had puppies, birds & hamsters but never a cat. 

Puppy breath has to be one of the most weirdest things I still love.

When I was younger I prayed and had a relationship with God as a child. My parents took me to church but rarely went with me, I never understood that...

I used to pray for the best husband in the whole wide world in my nightly prayers, 

and he answered me with two... :)

 That relationship grew and I am very thankful.

I had two sisters that were much older so felt like an only child, maybe that's why I had four children.

When I was younger I watched TV every single day. So glad I grew out of that. I've replaced it with website, facebook, emails and BLOGS... Which I started for my Mother who no longer reads...

I remember when Kennedy was assassinated, and we landed on the moon, 

"One small step for man....One giant leap for mankind!" I'm sure I was wearing a CPO jacket, purple crushed velvet bell bottoms hiphuggers, and moccasins!

I had 100 jobs. I sold terrariums in 7th grade to all my neighbors and even K-mart. 

Money was important to me because we didn't have much of it. If I wanted that red bathing suit at Lerners, I had to make my own money to buy it. I still like red bathing suits.

 I played in ditches and caught crawdeds. Now we eat them!

When I was young I used to dream about where I would be in the year 2000, I would be 40 and might have kids. Who would have thought this little girl from Stink-a-dena would be in Geneva Switzerland with four kids at the turn of the century!

I've been blessed more than I could have ever dreamed up.

Beautiful family, amazing friends, treasured moments in time...

When I was young I liked geography, now I am living it.

Your past is a combination of who you are, 

it grows and grows with bits and pieces of what you did 

and your experiences add to who you have become.

If you think about it, 

you are not very far from when you were younger. No matter where you were raised...

I have the same respect for nature, faith in God, and cameras I was taught as a child.  

Thank God for Cameras... Loving life so I can relive it again, especially now that my brain doesn't remember so much at 51. 

I would still play in a ditch, climb a tree and wear those purple hiphuggers again. 

There is not much I would change either.

(well, maybe try harder in math, but don't have to because I married Chris!)

I am proud of my roots in po-dunk Pasadena, 

like I've said before 

"You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas out of the girl."

BE YOU!

Smiles, Sher

Back to work...

I wished every soul on this planet had a job they loved as much as I do mine. 

It is NOT work. 

It is total play, fabulous fun, 100% pure joy, invigorating creative moments, wonderful happy times, thrilling and touching. 

Please if you do not absolutely love what you are doing right now, 

rethink your life. 

You are in charge of your own happiness.

**************

I recently went to Europe and was fortunate enough to do a few wonderful shoots.

"Bella Ballerina" ~ Vignale Montferrato Italy,

"New love" and "Faithful Family" ~ Barberra Vineyards and "Lucie in Avusy" ~ Switzerland

Share with others what you are good at. 

Sing outloud if you can. 

This is my song...

:)

Sher

 

Morning Prayer ~ By my great Grandpa Cope Tull

I was cleaning out my Mother's house this summer and found an old purse with this newspaper article in it with a prayer from her grandpa Tull who was born in the 1800's. I would like to share it now.
Funny how all the exact same things were prayed for then, are the same prayers and blessings we have today, 100+ years later. Through all the differences we have since the 1800's, it's the real life things that are still what is important in our lives.

MORNING PRAYER

by Cope Tull 

We thank thee, Our Father, for this night's rest.

We thank thee, for this new day.

Forgive our sins, oh Lord, and prepare our hearts and lives for the responsibilities of this day.

We thank thee, oh Lord, for the blessings of life.

We thank thee for health and strength and the right use and exercise of our minds and bodies.

We realize, Oh Lord, that all these blessings come from thy bountiful hand. 

We trust in thee this morning for all that we have and all that we are.

Lead and guide us through this day and shield us from all harm and danger.

Bless with us our friends and our kindred.

Bless our children.

We ask thy blessings, oh Lord, upon all for whom we should pray.

Sanctify this food to our bodies, our souls to thy service. 

For Christ's sake ~ AMEN

Keep it simple.

Sher

10 Things I love about my kids.

I recently pulled out a few old Journals from 1994 - 1995 and read a few entries. (before blogs) One was that the most horrible part of being a Mom was combing Amanda's hair. When she was about 6, she acted like I was jerking them out one by one.

Then I held this family meeting when everyone was 2, 4, 6, and 9. We told each other three things we loved about each one and one thing we could do better at. (I was trying to solve some sibling quarrels.) The best part of that was when Alexandra couldn't think of one single thing at all she didn't like about her Dad! :) Cute! She still feels the exact same way today, I'm sure. He is perfect in their eyes, and mine too, to be truthful. Thank you God.

Reading these old memories, made me realize it was time to make a list of 

"10 things I love about each one of my children."

So often these days, at this point in our parenting life, we are often criticizing instead of boasting and bragging about the positive. We are nagging about the negative. Or at least that is what I have been doing too much of for the past several years. Living away from them all and not knowing much about their everyday lives leads me to call about only "the issues" and not just to visit about nothing. Did you get your flat fixed? Is the grass dying? Are you watering it? How much?  You need to go to church! Did you pay your car insurance? You need to make sure and study hard this semester, Did you buy your books yet? Are you eating right? Praying? Exercising? You are spending your money too fast on going out! Blah Blah Blah, I am positive there are several parents experiencing the same things, living abroad or not! I feel like all I do is gripe at them!

What happened to the times when they helped clean off their plate in the sink and we were ecstatic and applauded them like they have just cured cancer! The older they get, we begin to expect so much more....

It is time again for that boasting and bragging and celebrating and honoring the young fabulous people they are becoming...

I know this is a very personal post and I am sharing way too much maybe, but it is essential in growing that we recognize the changes in parenting and do our best to adjust to the new issues and not make a habit of nagging so much you seldom hear from them. I am trying to practice what I am preaching!!!

My kids are not kids anymore, why am I treating them like they are? For me, I am only the mother, that is all I know how to be to them, for 27 years I have nurtured them, provided for them and guided them, and now I am supposed to sit back and watch from the sidelines and in case they make bad choices,  knowing they are going to learn from their mistakes. Mother nature makes us want to prevent all that. But real life says "don't!"

There are no mistakes, only lessons!!!

I have a pillow sitting beside me and I have sort of neglected the saying on it...  

"A good Mother is like a quilt, she keeps her children warm but does not smother them!"

I've spent my whole life telling them what to do. Now I am having a hard time stopping, It's called letting go!

I can no longer control if they paid their parking ticket, or took out the garbage from halfway across the world. It's not my job anymore. As weird as that is, relinquishing your duties as a parent little by little is devastating...as well as exciting..  It is not that they don't need us anymore, they need themselves to grow and can't do that unless we release the ties, bonds, strings... one by one, or a few at a time.

It is happening daily to each of us. Remember the first time you allowed them to cross the street alone? Ride the bus? Spend the night away? Driving away from the first dorm room?  It is the same release, but for some reason there are not that many strings attached anymore, we have cut most of them off by the time they are 20, 22, 24 & 27 years old.

We can only hope that the magnetic force that pulls the family together is not at all held by strings ~ but by hearts!!

(I just made that up:)

10 things I love about Nicholas

1. He was the most beautiful baby and still has adorable dimples I can't resist.
2. Hilarious personality and incredible story teller
3. Ambition to succeed and his enthusiasm on Christmas morning still at 27! He is not pretentious.
4. Kissing his mother when he was a senior in front of the school and not being embarrassed, he is becoming a very mature thinker.
5. He sings with spirit and draws with amazing imagination, he is talented.
6. His love for his sisters and how well he took care of them his whole life. Nicholas is an essential link in our complete family. The dynamics he brings is fun, uplifting and beautiful. We all adore him.
7. He makes everyone happy to be around him and never meets a stranger.
8. Uses big words and is intelligent, has great friends and a big heart.
9. Creative spirit and uses it daily - his passion for fabulous food and interesting people.
10. Cute and kids adore him, he will make an awesome Daddy!

10 Things I love about Amanda

1. She sings like an angel from heaven. Her voice makes people cry it is so beautiful. Her faithful words when she sings praise music is overwhelming and touching.
2. She is beautiful - Especially with the "bump-it bangs" all pulled back - she is gorgeous.
3. Fabulous body. Looks great in everything she tries on.
4. Her love of family - She truly enjoys being together with family.
5. Adventurous - Tells great stories - writes great stories.. Is humorous. Loves skiing and is great at it.
6. Mocking - a gift as weird as it sounds, is fabulous! Impersonating close to professional!
7. Nack for decorating - sewing - cooking and passion for food. Amazing ETCH-A-SKETCHER!
8. Everyone loves her, especially kids. She was a terrific preschool teacher and will be a great baseball Mom.
9. Amanda is appreciative of compliments, She says "Thank you" and means it.
10. Takes charge of things very well. She is not a wimp. Like a shovel to get an armadillo out of the pool at 5AM and calling 911 when someone is bleeding without panicking! But still very sensitive.

10 Things I love about Alexandra

1. Her calmness and total love for each family member is touching. Never says anything bad about anyone.
2. Responsible, I can always count on her to get things accomplished.
3. Helper - Cinderella, finishes her tasks, she thinks of others first ~ we can all learn from that.
4. Contagious heartwarming laugh.
5. Sweet kind disposition, her love for babies and dogs.
6. Smart in Math, likes square roots and bonds with Chris - a bit jealous of this.
7. Beautiful hair and precious dimples and gorgeous everywhere inside and out.
8. She is giving - and reads so well. Talked at a very early age which was astounding but precious.
9. Alexandra is not complicated, she is straight forward and HONEST!
10. She has a beautiful Faithful heart.

10 Things I love about Ashlynn

1. Littlest thing -  adorable all over. Super extra long eyelashes...
2. Cuddles and likes it. Loves her siblings.
3. Dancing machine - fabulous ballerina when she was 3! Beyonce' just wishes she was this good.
4. Caring and loving to others. Makes friends easily. Has a good head on her shoulders.
5. Excellent in writing stories, taking pictures. Is good in English.  Her experiences have made her a better person.
6. Has fun and makes others have fun when they are around her - up beat. Sings a lot makes you feel good. Music builds her soul. Can memorize a song the first time she hears it.
7. Super creative in Art - especially Clay - Creative in room design. Loves to rearrange all the time.
8. Really super good athlete for years in sports. Would make a great coach/PE teacher. A natural.
9. Beautiful little body and prefect feet!
10. She is fashionable. Girly girl, I like that.

I chose to celebrate my wonderful son and daughters today.

I am so proud of them all  - beyond belief. 

I must remind them again.

A Doha moment...

This is the guy who came to measure for my curtains today...

 Not your ordinary tailor right? I was so excited when I answered my door I couldn't concentrate on what he was there for... All I could think was "I've got to get my camera, I have to take his picture!" 

I have been dying to photograph the red bearded guys since I have been here but they are not so comfortable being photographed, until today... This gingerhaired Muslim was happy, smiled, and even liked Bella. There is this one I have been stalking that sits on a bench barefoot by the American School everyday but I have never had enough nerve to stop.

I am not sure of the significance of the red dye which I know is Henna, it has something to do with a religious issue, I think it symbolizes a true faith in Allah, but I will get back to you on this.

So for today ~ I hope for all of you interesting characters to pop into your lives as unique as Mr. Red Beard himself.

SMILES!!!

Sher

Only a chair...

In a field...

This is a typical evening... without a house...

Guido Gullo

To be perfectly honest, this is one of those couples that make you love more just being around them. Thank you Sparky and Debbie for being such an amazing example of true love. 

:)

Chris surrounded by love!!!

When it comes to Fathers, Chris makes it to the tip top!

I can't tell you all the diapers he changed, baths he gave and kisses and hugs he still gives and receives.

Thank you honey for all the shoes you tied and training wheels you took on and off, catches you made at the bottom of the slide and instructions on swimming, spelling, golfing and everything else that you have taught them.


So far only one really likes square roots though.... :)


What you really taught them was love and compassion, faith and gentleness, kindness and honestly all of which you stand for. You have been a wonderful Dad, Father and Teacher.


We love you...


Nicholas, Amanda, Alexandra, Ashlynn

via MOM's BLOG

Fabulous people in my world lately...

Sheikha Elisabeth!!!

Beautiful Elisabeth graduated from Georgetown University in Doha. She attracted alot of attention with that fabulous blond hair wearing an abia!! She had her picture taken with several cell phones as the Egyptian cooks and workers came barreling out of the restaurants... It was somewhat flattering, even to me.
There is something amazingly pure about this praying shot, something on the lines of biblical times. It gave me goose bumps when I took it.

Then I went to the horse farm... with another fabulous Elizabeth.
Words are not necessary... I named the file WOW... That's appropriate!A little bit of a Texas girl in Doha...
YEE HAW!!!I am in love with this FABULOUS FINE ART PORTRAIT of two precious sisters...
I love it when the locals participate in my photoshoots and the customer buy it!! How cute is that?

There was this handsome Aussie MVP rugby player of the year, Lochlan!!!
Should be supermodel...
Fabulous huh?
And then there was Jack... He wasn't having anything to do with me or my camera, until magically we found "Spiderman" chocolate muffins at the Belgium coffee shop... I drooled while he ate two... Then, WAAH LA ~ He loved me!! and I loved him...
YEP! Those are camels...
Graduate in Doha, and you too can have this shot!
Every moment lately is celebrations... Celebrating fabulous families, babies, graduations. Then there is the "not so celebrating stuff ", like one of our great friends for 5 years leaving Doha... It is part of our world of the expat life, no matter how much we do it, saying goodbye is never easy... May our paths cross again Wardle Family...
Best of luck in your new destination!

Hearts everyday...

I love heart shaped things.

Especially when they just jump out in front of you while you are walking down the street in Milan, on the beach, or you notice a heart shaped piece of trash when you are in a bad mood and know that is a sign to cheer up!

I used to think it was a coincidence that heart shapes just appeared in my world now and then...
But now I am positive they are sent down by angels, different ones.
Some that know me and are making a point
and some that are just there to help every human on earth
snap back to the reality of
LOVE!!!

NOTICE THEM!!!
It is all around us every day, every minute.
And the best part is they are FREE!!
ROCKS are free, and so are images of them!!!

Sometimes you have to make your own!!!

After all a heart means love.
That is really all that matters in the world is "love" right?

After my fetish with heart shaped rocks over the years, it has now turned into just anything heart shaped. Mainly natural God made things that are sending a message to us to be loved and to love!!!

Alex found this one... A Mother/Daughter love...

It has created a family tradition as well as other people and children collecting them for me. That is special. My girls, all three of them and Nicholas will always notice a heart shaped rock in the cobblestone street, or a smashed piece of gum on the sidewalk shaped like a squashed heart.

I'm really not sure what it means to them....
I just hope they think about me
and how much I love them!!!

The next time you notice a heart shaped object in your path ~ don't ignore it. Smile inside your self, enjoy it's presence in your world.
It's the Earth saying "You are loved!!"

Where has the time gone?

I have tried to get this blog in English instead for Arabic for a few months now. Today I suceeded.. This is way over due...

2011 has brought a new

understanding to me of "TIME"

I will start off by saying we lost our cousin

Meghan Patrizi on her 30th Birthday in February to cancer. It was a prayerful 9 months and I feel blessed to have been able to spend the last few days with her and her family whom I adore. After the service they let free, a box of gorgeous Butterflies and read this poem:

"A butterfly lights beside us

like a sunbeam,

and for a brief moment

it's beauty and glory

belong to our world.

But, then it flies on again.

And although we wished

it could have stayed,

We feel blessed

to have seen it."

It was a wonderful way to celebrate such an amazing young woman.

Then I have had another life change... We had to put my 83 year old Mother in a Nursing home. You have heard people talk about how hard it is to care for the elderly and it is all very true. As I sat there in that hall all by myself, looking at my Momma as she stares into space, I realized she was no longer the lady that raised me. The one that taught me how to use a camera and take pictures... The woman who was adamant about never saying the word "hate", now uses it often. She only answers questions now, her soul was empty. A lady who in any given moment could have told you the batting average of every single Astros player until last year. Now she doesn't even care who the Astros are. I miss my Momma already ~ even before she is physically gone and that's terribly hard.

I value myself as usually being a really upbeat positve person, but there comes times in your circle of life where there is a time for love, a time for life and a time to cry and a time for death.

I really dislike those last two.

I sat at the pool yesterday with a Flat Stanley I had dressed like an Arab for a first grader in California. Now he is Ali bin Ali Abduellah Stanley... We watched a 3 year old boy jump into the cold water and squeel a shrill little squeel and jump up and down a few times waving his arms in the air, then he said "Momma, Momma, watch me!! watch me!!!" I thought of all those times I watched Nicholas jump in the pool and put his face in the water and I would clap and be so proud. And today I sat there alone with a paperdoll dressed in a thobe.

Where has the time gone?

30 something years ago David Patrizi was a fabulous Rugby player, he was honored this past month and inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame at his college. Nicholas and Amanda were able to attend with David's parents and we were all proud of him too.

Where has time gone?

To some of the new angels and stars in heaven it has gone way too soon, to my Momma it has been a long road, to that little boy in the water he has a lot of jumps to make and that new Momma has so many praises to say... I am still very proud of Nicholas but he doesn't ask me to watch anymore. I miss that.

Where has time gone?

I met a cute gal at lunch this week and although I am not a fan of tatoos, I LOVED hers. On the inside of her arm it read "live now".

I am trying my best to do that.

But sometimes we all need to be reminded.

I am not going to get a tat,

but do remind me now and then when things get in the way and we forget.

"LIVE NOW!!!"

Here's to being 80+ and Enjoying it!

THURSDAY!!!!

CHANGE YOUR FACE GRANDPA!!!

Grandpa Ralph is starting to forget a lot.

But his personality and pizazz for life is still going strong. He goes out and dances with Grandma Mid a few times a week, works out and always always has a smile on his face.
Mid is quite the dancer at 83-ish, and she wiggled around to "My humps - My humps" on Christmas Day and we all enjoyed it totally!!!

Grandpa sang Kereoke to
"I've got a crush on you!"
and I felt like I was in 1952...
(I'm sure he wishes he were too)
He still enjoys good food, wine and family just as much as he used to. And Grandma, well she's got the dancing fever and is terrific at it....

Here's to you Ralph and Mid, may your hearts stay young forever!!!