I have a thing for old men...

A Morning stroll in Orvietto...

OK so some people collect salt and pepper shakers... I collect old men. Not real ones, that's gross. But capturing their spirit is a passion of mine. My favorite, Italians of course have so much character. It's like they have done more, been to more places, used their hands, eyes and heart and soul more. At least that is the interpretation I have of old Italian men. Most are cute and will allow me a peek through my lens, they always give me a goofy smile like their flirting, (maybe I am). I would rather a smirk or frown but my favorite is the natural ones that do not know I am shooting them. This is one of my favorites. One day I will have one for my very own, but for today, Chris is still very young and hunka hunka burning love of my life!

Their eyes

I found this essay Ashlynn had to write and I wanted to share again the impact Africa had on our girls in their own words.

Ashlynn Patrizi
April 16. 2008
Mrs. Lauer

Their Eyes

Their piercing, cold, sad eyes stared right back into mine; they had nothing else in them except my reflection. These eyes hadn’t seen much past these school grounds, the only thing they had seen was disease, pain, and hurt families. As I was giving each kid a scoop of rice, I noticed that this was the greatest day of their lives. As each kid would go by and get their rice they straight away would run and hide and sit there and eat their rice happily. This is what my eyes saw in Tanzania, Spring break 2008.

We got there in the morning, around 7 o’ clock. It was a gloomy day, but the children were singing their hearts out for us. In Swahili they sang songs of happiness and joy that we were there. It made me feel like I was giving so much to them but I really was only giving a little of my time. Amazing how little you can give but how happy you can make someone.

It was then lunch time, the sun started to part through the clouds and put a little sun on the kid’s faces. Each child was holding a black bag, we all didn’t know what it was until the headmaster came up to us and said, “Its their treasure”. We didn’t understand at first but then we realized it was a plate. Food is life; people will do anything for their lives these kids were out of control when we started to serve the food. I felt like I was dishing food out for starving wild animals. They shoved and pushed and screamed at each other and punched and kicked. The little ones really couldn’t defend themselves so the teachers pulled the young ones out and they got their own bowl. It was a fight for life, but then we actually started to dish out the food.

The sun now was fully out of the clouds and beating down on the kid’s navy blue torn up sweaters. I took a break from serving and just sat back and watched these poor kids digging into these bowls like monsters, I wouldn’t blame them though. It really made me realize, I had to take a step back and look at my life and see that I am very lucky.

Young ones crying, older ones stealing each others food, others that were fed were celebrating by water fights and laughing and dancing. We eventually got to play the ultimate game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

Looking back and remembering those eyes will haunt me forever.

I know that this experience has changed my life and I would love to go back to that sunny day, with the happiest kids that have so little.

Calling all Blue Leisure Suits!!!

Let's do something fun... You guys scan and send me your Prom pictures by e-mail! I would love to blog my family and friend's Prom pictures. Just for fun... First five wins... Wished I had mine to post but I can describe it... I had the Shawn Cassidy/Farah Fawcett hairdo feathered back bangs all the way down. I bought my dress at Eibands in Galveston and it cost $80, which in 1979 was a fortune. We had gone to the beach that day and were sunburned. I rode in the Limo with Jill Dale and her date Steve Eaton (I think was his name). We went to Sandy Lynch's or Karen Risley's house afterwards for breakfast and Michael Licarione had a fro. Anyone have prom pictures?

Anxiously waiting...

Cinderella goes to the Ball...

We call Alexandra "Cinderella" around the house. She is always the one left in the kitchen cleaning up. Ashlynn always manages to sneak out on chores. Well this weekend she lived up to the name. She looked fabulous, and I realize more each day what a mature young lady she is becoming. Kids grow up. I still feel 18, it's my body that is 47. Am I really old enough to have grown kids? I am in denial...

Something that makes me smile....

This picture was taken at the Elementary school during the Fall Festival. This little boy was not the least bit interested in smiling at me. I have printed and posted this right beside my computer, I often just glance beside my screen and see how unenthused this kid is, and it makes me smile.

The other thing that makes me laugh out loud is this video. Once you realize he is not falling out of the ride, you can not help but laugh. I love Janice! I want to laugh that hard every single day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuTf7rPIuY8