August?

So, the last time I blogged, it was July 10.  Maybe this will become just a monthly thing.  I don't know. Just like a butterfly, MPM is going through her own metamorphosis.  And a visit with the newly launched offspring is even more evidence of that.

They are happily settled into their new apartment in New York City.  Yes, the MPM rugrats are living under the same roof once again!  After 4 years at different universities, they have both secured jobs that pay a living wage, and are sharing an apartment.  I have seen it with my own eyes, and I am duly impressed.  Except for a minor detail, which has me quite flummoxed.  Apparently they were raised in a barn.

Sometimes I lie awake at night remembering this scene.  Where did I go wrong?

But I digress.  I had a spectacular time, and I got to visit with so many of my wonderful friends in New York and Connecticut.  I miss them so very much, but I know that I am on the right journey here in Tennessee, and they are just a quick 2 hour flight away.

There was lots of fun, too:

A wedding in Grand Central Station.

 

A visit with a spoiled dog who is summering in New England.

 Another expensive taxi trip downtown.

This one took us right past the Flatiron Building.

 A tapas restaurant that served champagne in the Ladies Room!

Thank you, Baby Bird for introducing us to Beauty and Essex!

 An early birthday dinner for my babies with Daryl.

This is our favorite restaurant on Columbus Circle, Robert.

 The best part of the whole trip:

Love them to the moon and back.

Even if they have no idea about the proper way to install toilet paper.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where The Bird gives shopping advice to her brother:

I don't think I know the outcome of this shopping adventure.

But I will find out in 3 sleeps!

I am Virginia and Philly bound!

My college graduates.

Wasn't it just yesterday when they went to kindergarten?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

My soon-to-be college grads coming down to the wire:

I know I sound like a broken record,

but where has the time gone?

Hold your babies tight.

Forever and forever.

Life is precious and capricious.

And sometimes too short.

Today I ask you to send special love and prayers

to my Virginia Blister Ann Marie.

As she says a final goodbye to her teenaged daughter.

Hold your babies tight.

And, please, everyone wear a seat belt.

Hump Day Haiku

last night's art class piece

inspired by all my angels

both seen and unseen

Angels Everywhere

The Players:

A jack-knifing semi

Mental P

A drunk driver

Many, many angels

The Scene:

Very foggy interstate

Easter Night

And all I feel is lucky and blessed.

Strangers on the highway

Tennessee State Police

EMS

University Medical Center staff

Loving friends and coworkers

Family

Angels are everywhere.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Another day of mother/daughter shopping.

Across the miles and the mountains between Tennessee and Virginia.

So, we got the lime green dress for her, and the camo flats for me.

Not that icky white/floral blazer.

And in 6 sleeps?

 We will be together at the beach!

Life is good.  Indeed.  So thankful.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

My children and I have been absolutely gutted by the tragedy in Newtown.

I struggled with what to post today, and have decided that we will try some normalcy.

Our grief will be continued to be shared privately with one another.

And we pray for everyone.  Everyone.

As we move forward, my soon-to-be graduates are job hunting.

And my gifted and brilliant daughter?

Contemplates being an Au Pair in Paris...

I don't think it would be the best use of her talent and mind.

But it sure would be fun to visit.

As long as she is happy, healthy and safe, I am behind her 100%.

My Bird's gotta fly.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

This...

...Is just one of the reasons I am so happy to be home in Middle Tennessee.  The integrity and compassion of the folks around me inspires me every single day.  This happened about 3 miles from where I live.



And now, I'm going out in the world to pay it forward.  You?

Hump Day Haiku

our morning routine

is not so much fun these days

get well soon dora

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

In three sleeps.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Empty nest pangs from across the miles:

sigh

Twenty One

How is this possible?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Taking requests:

It was good.

And the next time I cook for him I will be living in Tennessee.

Wow.

Happy Birthday!

Best girl ever.

This One Pretty Much Says It All

Aquarius Daily Horoscope

Starting today and running for a year, Jupiter is moving through your pleasure and creativity sector, dear Aquarius, bringing your fair share of fun, romance, and good times. Your willingness to enjoy yourself and explore your creativity now brings new opportunities, or you might find that new avenues open up to you for exploring different ways of having fun. You might find that possibilities for casual love relationships open up to you now, and some of you could be overwhelmed with choices! Social engagements abound. You are far less inhibited when it comes to expressing yourself creatively, and you are a lot more fun to be around. Today, try not to overthink matters.


Don't you wish you could be an Aquarius today?  Or is yours just as good?

Hump Day Haiku

baby girl is here

and first radiation done

cotton candy bliss

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

A week full of prayers.

Prayers for the storm victims.

Prayers for sick friends.

Prayers for a friend who had to bury her 20 month old son.

Prayers.

An Ash Wednesday Quiz...

Eat, Pray, or Love?  

You Should Love

It's likely that you've been craving more human connection in your life lately - either romantic or platonic. You've spent some time alone, and now you're ready to open yourself up to the world again. You find happiness when you truly respect, appreciate, and care for someone. Relationships bring meaning to your life. No matter how many times you've been hurt, you have a lot of love left in your future.

How about you?  Should You Eat, Pray, or Love?

This-n-That Thursday

Full of thanks and some answers:

• I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support. It is palpable.
• I was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 14 after having a stereo biopsy on the 12th.
• I was blindsided with that call.
• All I had on my mammogram were some calcifications (they are like little dots of kosher salt when you look at the film).
• The radiologist told me to come back in 6 months for a follow up. My gut told me otherwise.
• Telling my children was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Going to Disney to run the half marathon last week was one of the best things we've ever done.
• It appears to be the hormone receptive kind of cancer which is highly treatable.
• I had the lumpectomy, lymph node biopsy and some reconstruction on Tuesday.
• I love my team of doctors.
• I am in pain, but I have some nice pills.
• And my nursemaids/children are awesome.
• I hope to have more answers by tomorrow.
• If I am lucky, I will have radiation followed by hormone therapy.
• I feel lucky.
• Now, if you haven't yet done so in the past year, go get your mammogram/ultrasound/MRI.
• Or I will hunt you down and harangue you. It won't be pretty.

And now, I'm going back to bed.