One day at a time...

Memorial Day parades

There are few things that can make me appreciate living in a small village as much as a parade. This past Memorial Day Parade just made me realize it, again.

Sitting in the shade watching the marchers go by is an important job.  All the wonderful kids in our school, as well as my own girl need someone to scream out their names and to wave furiously to them. Watching the bands, seeing how they morph from Middle School 6th Grade, to Middle School mixed to  the High School Pride of Port Chester is wonderful. The  flag girls and twirlers, the shy smiles, the fire trucks, the whole thing makes my heart SWELL with pride.    Especially the service before the parade, in the park.  I love that we honor our fallen heroes.

Aedan asked me the difference between Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day. I said that we honor those who died for our country on Memorial Day, and all those who fought for it on Veteran Day. That he understood.

Another thing that made my heart weep a bit. I had visited the cemetery with my sister to leave flowers on my Mom's grave for her birthday.  As we were leaving, I saw this one lone man, a Veteran, walking amongst the graves, placing flags on the graves of other Vets. God Bless Him.

What an amazing contest!~

Brain Foggles is giving away a  complete blog!  Check out what she has to say about her very first contest- (read her blog, too- its wonderful!)

GiveAway! Hosted SEO Blog With Custom Header!

This is my first ever giveaway and I plan on having lots of fun with this. I hope that you’ll join in and enjoy the ride too!

This is open to anyone not just those in the USA. You do need to be able to write in English though if you want to take part in the advice and support.

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The cost of this prize is worth about $125. The rules are easy peasy. So take a chance and see how you do!

How to enter: (You’ll get an entry for each one that you do.)

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The contest will end about 10PM EST, Friday May 30th. A winner will be announced on Saturday, May 31st. The winner must contact me.

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Jonathan Vargas and $35 million dollars

I read this article today about Jonathan Vargas, who won #35 million with Powerball.  The numbers came to him by way of a juice bottle. He noticed his July birthday as the expiration date on the drink. Then a voice in his head told him, "Your family is going to bring you success and fortune." So he picked the numbers based on the ages of his family members -- and hit the jackpot.

In a news interview, the reporter asked the young man (imagine, he's only 19!!) what he was going to do with the $17.5 million he'd receive as a lump sum, and he said,

"First thing, I will tithe to my church. Then,  I am going to buy my Mama a house. I'm going to take care of my Mama. "

God has blessed this boy and his mother, even if he never won a single cent.  Good for him!

I've often thought about what I'd do if I won "big", and the truth scared me. You see, I'm not sure I'd want to win "big". I like my lifestyle, my friends, my Village (most of the time) and I'd hate to be caught up in that money trap. Of course I'd happily win 5 million of so-- set up a house, kids college, wedding funds, retirements, maybe a summer place somewhere.

What would YOU do if you won $17.5 million?  Would you tithe to your church?

Smoking at the Gas Pump

or should I call it smoking and stupidity at the gas pump?    I'm so steamed up about this!

This morning I needed gas so I went to closest gas station to my house. The young man pumping gas joked and said "Fill it Up?"  No way, at $4.20 a gallon, but $50, please. (ouch!)

In front of us was a landscapers truck, filling gas cans (not on the ground, either as the gas tank says to do) and behind me was a truck, so I was boxed in.  There was another person working, a tall, older man with a FD NY shirt on- talking to the landscapers, right next to the pump that was dispensing highly flammable gasoline- SMOKING A CIGARETTE. So, I say to the young guy pumping the gas for me, IS he smoking? Doesn't he know that's dangerous?  "  The guy looked sheepishly at me, shrugged, and said, he's a fireman. So, my retort was , "Yes, a stupid one. My kids are in the car, I don't want him smoking near us."

I am of the opinion  that  you are a SPECIAL kind of STUPID to be a fireman, and smoke near a known highly flammable liguid.. Incredible.

So, he walked away, smirking at me, I didn't see the cigarette, and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I can tell you I'll never, ever go to that gas station again. I called the station, and got voice mail, can you believe it?  I left my name and number. In case anyone is interested, it was at Putnam Service Station, 602 N. Main St, Port Chester..

Incredible.

HUGE DNXpert contest!

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(It ends with a ramdon drawing on June 19.

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Rites of passage

Today, sadly, Ally and I attended a Funeral Mass for our friends Dad (and Grandpa). I brought Ally along becasue she and J. were good friends at one point, and I am friends with her Mom, who's name, oddly enough, is Wendy Lee, too.

Another friend came in, without her daughter, and said, Oh, Ileft my girls at home, I didn't want to expose them to this. Its her kids, her decision, but I think absoultely it was the best place for Ally. I think that at age 9 she is old enough to experiece  the rituals of death, the rituals of the Mass of Christian burial.(We attend a Presbyterian church) and how it affected everyone. I was glad for her to see that it was also a celebration of J's Grandpa's life, even though there was a lot of sobbing going on.

Chian and Earthquakes

My heart is breaking for those poor people in China who were affected by the terrible earthquake.  I cannot imagine being one of the parents wondering where their child is, not being able to get to the school or even if there, to look for your child.  The numbers are astounding- 12, 000 people  or more?   All I can do is pray for them all, but I feel so helpless for them .

It's May....

And its FREEZING.

That's it. I'm cold. I need these 46 degree days to end, please.

Sigh. Someone remind me of this in mid August  when I'm HOT!

:)

Happy Mother's Day...

Today, I was feted and loved and gifted by my children and husband.   I am sop thankful for my children,and the opportunities that I have with them. I am good mom. It's nice to have a day, but I'd be ok with skipping it.  But, Mother's Day still makes me sad.

You see, I miss my Mom.Listen to this song:

Here's the lyrics's:

Is it me, Or have I deceived myself
I thought I heard you call my name
Out in the pouring rain
I really thought...
I thought I saw your face
But after a second look
I saw I made a clear mistake

Mother I miss you
And nights I just wish you
Were here with me
So we can laugh and talk again
Mother I miss you
But I'll just kiss you
And send it on the wind
'Cause you know
I plan to see you again

So much I wanted to show you
So much I wanted to give
I thought our time
Would be much longer
Missing my best friend

Mother I miss you
And nights I just wish you
Were here with me
So we can laugh and talk again
Mother I miss you, I miss you
But I'll just kiss you
And I'll send it on the wind
'Cause you know
I plan to see you... again.
 

My Mom died  4 years ago. I wake on Mother's day thinking of her, wishing for her.   I'd give anything to have one more conversation with her, see her eyes just one more time, hold her hand. I entered this contest today on this amazing photographers website to win a photography session of your children,a and I asked if it would be all right to have a session with Mom  and Kids.  You see, Idon't have many photos of my Mom and myself as a child. I have lots of them when I an grown, when I realized the importance or it.  But, to have e photo of my mom and I smiling, laughing at something silly when I was a a kid would be priceless.  Here is my recommendation today for all mothers, if possible.

Go out and take a photo of you and your children.  Smile, be silly, don't worry if your hair is all right, and  if the clothes are perfect.  Look at your child with all the love in your heart, let it shine through your eyes, and  have someone to snap the photo. I guarantee that one day your child will be eternally thankful to have the photo.   I wish I had one.   

Breast Fed Babies are Smarter

Did you hear about this study that says that  babies that are breast fed exclusively are smarter than babies that had formula?  Now I have to wonder:

I nursed Ally for 10 1/2 months, exclusively, until she went on a nursing strike and switched over to formula for 1 1/2 months. From then on she started on milk, and homemade, organic baby food.

Aedan, I nursed until he was 2 1/2 years old. His only experience with a bottle of formula was when he was 2 weeks old, I had surgery and had to pump and dump for a bit until I was able to stop taking medications.  He ate organic food,  jarred food, whatever we all ate ( you know, 2nd baby syndrome) but he nursed longer.

Is one smarter than the other?  Did I give one more attention than the other?    I used those moments of "Only Aedan and I" as alone time with him as I nursed him, otherwise I was chasing a busy 3 year old and sharing my attention with her.  They are both smart, happy, well adjuted kids (well, mostly!)

I'm interested in hearing YOUR thoughts on this. Please share!