"You cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind." - ~Henry David Thoreau

"We can all be angels to one another.
We can choose to obey the still
small stirring within,
the little whisper that says,
Go. Ask. Reach out.
Be an answer to someone's plea.
You have a part to play.
Have faith.......'
We can decide to risk that He is indeed there,
watching, caring, cherishing us as we love
and accept love.
The world will be a better place for it.
And wherever they are, the angels will dance."
-Joan Wester Anderson
Used with permission from the author Joan Wester Anderson
from her website ~ Inspirational Stories Thank you!

Her Note.....

This child is just too funny. She loves to read and write [what a glorious thing] and she has been into writing 'notes' lately.....I find them everywhere.

This is what I found today...do you think she is feeling better? [she has had a stomach bug and hasn't really kept food down, and I've not been out to the store, so we are running out of basicis.....I guess she figured she'd leave me a note so I didn't forget we need food.



Now bless her little soul....the soda is really for her Momma, as I love Fresca, and we've been out for a few days, so I've been drinking way too much coffee!

The cool thing is that she is really getting good at spelling. A month or so ago, 'Ice Cream' was spelt 'Ice Creem' so she is really learning lots!!!!

Thanks for sharing in my joy!!!!! These notes truly tickle me pink!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Emma Sage so enjoyed my cousin's babyshower......as we all did, as it was a precious time with family and friends and the anticipation of a new little soul on our family tree.

Generations.......my children and Mamie. We stopped to visit Mamie on our way to Florida to take Katrina back to college this past August. I can't believe it is coming up on six months since the last time we saw Katrina. Thank goodness for cell phones and the ability to call free.....as we talk daily [and most times 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 times a day]

Sadly, we won't be seeing Katrina until she comes home to volunteer for Camp PALS in June. Yikes, I can't believe it is still so far away.

There are times when I feel like my heart will burst.....from such joy! This was one of those times, as Emma Sage was just in heaven at this wedding as was I, as we were all together as a family. With Katrina away at college and not seeing her for so many months, I was looking back at this moment and treasuring the precious time we had together.

Our friends over at Daniel Drinker posted about this series from Australia that is being picked up by HBO called, Summer Heights High. I am looking forward to watching the series. Thanks Dan and clan!!!!

Wordless Wednesday......

Wordless Wednesday

To be with this child is such a joy.......we were outside on the pond when I took this, and she was captivated by the snow on the ice, when I took this shot. She had just brushed the snow off the frozen pond and could see how thick the ice was and the leaves underneath......

"Peace is always beautiful" ~ Walt Witman

"Peace is always beautiful." ~Walt Whitman

Quiet Reflection.....

I have been spending the last few weeks in quiet reflection.....hibernating in a way, cocooned ~ surrounded by everything precious and familiar to me. I have been cherishing this 'alone' time.....listening to beautiful music, reading, baking and cooking warm nourishing food ~ watching the wonder of nature, as we have had beautiful snow falls that keep my scenery blanketed in white, giving a perfect backdrop for birds to come to my feeders and my children to squeal in delight sleigh riding and ice skating.

We have had some unsettling news [and I know so many in our great nation are experiencing the same feelings in this shaky economy] and I have been searching deep ~ re-examining my comfort zone and praying that Rick finds a job in his industry soon.

During this time, my dear cousin Beth has been battling a beast ~ and all through her fight, her spirit and resolve have given me strength and clarity. She recently shared with me an essay she wrote about her 'Easter Basket' and how, even through 38 moves in her lifetime [yes, you read that right - 38 moves] this basket found its way with her in each move.....a basket that held memories more valuable than any materialistic object could hold. It had a resounding effect on me, as so many thoughts, scenarios and "what-ifs" have been racing through my head, but after reading this essay and learning about Beth's life journey in greater detail has made me realize that change and uncertainty are fine - as it is just part of the ebb and flow of our lives and that we need to feel and experience all of our emotions....but what is most important is how we ultimately respond to these emotions.

So while hibernating this winter - I have realized the core truths of myself - that I need very little - that I have the world in my children, husband, family and friends - that if I must change where I live - where I work - it is just an external change, it does not change who I am, it only strengthens me.

While I've been quietly reflecting......my little imp has been busy celebrating her life. This child is truly the most incredible little thing I have ever known.....as she has this way about her that just sparkles and puts everything into perspective.

A sweet comment from her: At Christmas we traveled to my brother and sister-in-laws upstate New York. At dinner, she was telling friends gathered at the table about herself.....she told them she is in First grade, that she models, she swims and that she is a 'Cupcake!!!'......laughing, I realized she meant to say 'Brownie' Girl Scout.

That is my little girl.....she is the sweetest 'Cupcake' around!

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that ex perience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

Emma Sage and I [and our whole family] are wishing you and yours a Glorious and Blessed 2009. May your year be filled with Wonder, Magic, Faith, Joy, Health, Love, Friendship and Family.

Happy Birthday.......

Sweet brother.


Today you would have been 44 years old.......Emma Sage made you cupcakes and we sang to you. She is just so precious and I know that you were there smiling down at her joy as she celebrated the day you were born.

We miss you..........Rest in Peace.

I have an Angel......

Who found me and has been creating amazing gifts for Emma Sage and I.

This is one of the new layouts my friend Fran has created for us.....isn't it just beautiful.

“Friends are angels sent down to earth to make good days and help us find our way.” ~ unknown

Thank you Fran,,,,,,,you truly are an Angel friend.

When I look back, I am so impressed again with the
life-giving power of literature.

If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of
myself in the world, I would do that again by reading,
just as I did when I was young.~ Maya Angelou ~

Exciting times......

Well, two years ago, I was excitedly sharing Katrina's wonderful news of her acceptance to college. I can't believe she has already finished her third semester of college [and she is loving it]

So now it is Greta's turn to celebrate her acceptances..........her list is longer than Katrina's [as Katrina had one school that she was in love with and applied with a binding early decision] Greta on the other hand is unsure exactly where she wants to go, knows her major [she is planning on pursuing a degree as a Nurse-Practitioner or Nurse-anaesthiologist ] but where she wants to get that degree is another story. She has had schools courting her and offering her waived application fee and priority scholarship opportunities, so she is taking advantage of that. Which means she might be going to school anywhere along the east coast, as she has applied from as far South as Florida to as far north as New Hampshire.

Here are her first acceptances......

She might be student at:


or



or




These are her first three acceptances ~~ Exciting times, I say, very exciting times.

Shhhh......

Don't tell anyone [well, Emma Sage told everyone, so I guess it is not a secret anymore] but Brad Pitt and I celebrated our Birthday's today and we turned the big........4*5

I had told Emma Sage that I would drive her to school on my Birthday [I told her this early this fall] and guess who remembered that this morning, my little girl!!!

So off to school we went, and as I had pulled up to watch her go into school, I see her walk happily up to Mrs. Harrington and here her say "Today is my Mommy's birthday. SHE'S 45!!!!!" and then up the walk to Mrs. Gross and the say big "Hello...and then today is my Mommy's Birthday, SHE'S 45"

She must have told me a 100 times tonight...with excitement in her voice...."You're 45".

So guess what, I'm 45 today and it feels like I'm still 25 [OK, maybe 35!!!!]

My Joy.......

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

This was taken last weekend at the Welcome King Winter Celebration at the RiverValley Waldorf School.....I have many more images and moments to share, but alas, time is of the essence. Enjoy one of the main sources of my JOY.....this little girl just loves music and to dance.

Oh, the leg movements......she wants to be an Ice Princess [ice skater] so that is what she is doing...skater twirls and leg in the air moves [just incase you were wondering! lol!!!]

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Just walk beside me and be my friend.-- Albert Camus

Rest in Peace my dear friend......Rest in Peace

In the dark, cold days,

There shines a light

To make my heart

So pure and bright!