Sometimes I wish too much for a relaxing Saturday. More often than not, those Saturdays turn into craziness. Today, I am sitting here listening to my hamburgers frying, and noticing the contentment on the faces of my family. No big drama is happening, but we all are quietly entertaining ourselves. Bliss can be found in these sudden observations by a "going going" mom. Maybe they are all taking lessons from Lily, our happily and consistently snoozing furry companion.
More poetry quickfires to come and more blog checking in too. Hope all is blissfully wonderful in your corner of the world today.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Poetry Quickfire & Miss Lily
Shaking off the rust as I try my hand at throwing some words together in five minutes...
I like to see what erupts as I push through each line quickly.
Mirror
A phantom of a tremble
could betray that hesitation
to accept and dare
her eyes to celebrate
that "off" image pushing
through the pane
with a fire of being.
As you can see, Lily is enjoying her recuperation time on the couch. Only a few weeks left of this recovery period and then Lily will be literally off and running!
Hoping to visit you tonight between bites of my huge chocolate chip cookie!!
I like to see what erupts as I push through each line quickly.
Mirror
A phantom of a tremble
could betray that hesitation
to accept and dare
her eyes to celebrate
that "off" image pushing
through the pane
with a fire of being.
As you can see, Lily is enjoying her recuperation time on the couch. Only a few weeks left of this recovery period and then Lily will be literally off and running!
Hoping to visit you tonight between bites of my huge chocolate chip cookie!!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Finding that "voice" again
I want this to officially become my creative space. It has been a long time since I ventured out on a limb creatively here. Life is good and busy, and I have been having a wonderful time with family and friends. I don't want my writing to be shelved anymore. I'm hoping that I still have something deep in the vault to offer creatively. Something is stirring inside and I am afraid to let too much time pass before I try to write again. I may have to carve out some time during the midnight hour to fully explore my creativity again. During the day, I am happily occupied with the kids and everything else. I have toyed with the idea of moving away from the blog, but I can tell that I'm not ready for that definitive move. It's time for my poetry quickfires again and micro fiction pieces. When I would devote that time for creativity, I felt more intact and stronger in a way. So I'm coming back to see what pours out of me. Hopefully, it will have some value.
Update on Lily: She is recovering wonderfully. What a blessing for my whole family. She will be hopefully heart worm free around March 20th. Then she can be the "full dog" that she would love to be again. We'll get in a lot of exercise walks. That will be good for my aching bones too!
Update on Lily: She is recovering wonderfully. What a blessing for my whole family. She will be hopefully heart worm free around March 20th. Then she can be the "full dog" that she would love to be again. We'll get in a lot of exercise walks. That will be good for my aching bones too!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Update on Lily
It has been one week since Lily received her first injection. I have been monitoring her very closely for complications. Gratefully, she is a good girl who likes to sleep. Overall, she is very strong and gets through the day well. I have to take her out for only 3 minutes in front of the house to relieve herself. I know that she wants to go for a longer walk, but she can't have her heart rate go up. She doesn't know that she has a time bomb inside if she gets too excited.
She and I are spending quality and quantity time together. I am taking many more deep breaths these days. Lily is a gift to me. I'll keep you all posted on her progress. She goes for her next shots on February 5th and 6th. She should be "in the clear" mid March.
Hope you are all well. I hope to visit you soon. Thanks for your good wishes!
She and I are spending quality and quantity time together. I am taking many more deep breaths these days. Lily is a gift to me. I'll keep you all posted on her progress. She goes for her next shots on February 5th and 6th. She should be "in the clear" mid March.
Hope you are all well. I hope to visit you soon. Thanks for your good wishes!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Now I have a dog story
It all began in late August. My son, Joe, came home from visiting a friend's house, and he couldn't wait to share with me some sudden revelation that made his face shine with happiness. "Mom! Mom! I know what I want! It will make me happy! A dog!"
Well, to say that I was surprised is definitely an understatement. Joe has been afraid of dogs for as long as I can remember. Actually, three out of four of my kids have been afraid of dogs for a long time. Here is the back story about that fear. Almost 10 years ago, pregnant me (with Joe in the "belly" as Jillian would say) would waddle down the street to pick up my oldest son from the kindergarten bus which stopped at the top of our street. At that time, James was around 3 and jumping up and down next to me as we hustled to get to the bus stop each day. One day, we met "Happy" - don't let his name fool you - this dog was nowhere near the happy state of mind. Happy was a good size mutt who would have probably been just my type of dog if he didn't want to possibly wrestle me to the ground. So during our first meeting (gratefully from a distance), we realize that this dog is owner free and leash free. He starts barking aggressively at us but doesn't get too close. Over the period of a week, he gets closer and closer. I attempted to speak with the owner but he never seemed to be home. I left a handwritten note in his mailbox asking for him to keep his dog inside. Maybe it was my plea as a pregnant lady that pushed him to finally keep Happy indoors. Needless to say, James' fear of dogs cemented in his consciousness during that time.
When Joe came on the scene, we would see Happy from a distance and he wasn't acting all that happy. Well, Joe probably feeding off James' fear became afraid of dogs in those early carriage days. Jillian was afraid because she usually only feels comfortable around stuffed animals or zoo animals. My oldest John was worried about dog hair all over his stuff. My husband was concerned about the cost and limiting our mobility.
I love dogs, but I wasn't prepared for Joe's proclamation of his sudden desire to own one. My husband always said that he has four children and why would he want to add a furry one to the mix. Now the mama in me had a dilemma. How do I either convince Joe that a dog is not the answer to his need for something to make him happy or how do I convince James and Jillian that a dog will not freak them out every day in the house?
We tried bribery on Joe. We would say something like, "Joe, what about a swimming pool? (we can't afford one by the way) or "What about a trip?" He would say, "The dog can count for 10 birthdays and 10 Christmas presents."
Now when we would try to convince James that I would find the most peaceful, mellow dog out there, he would say, "Mom, if you get a dog, I will never ever be comfortable in my own house. You know that dogs make me nervous. What about my feelings?"
Joe has always been my sad sack kid. I have prayed so much to know what would make him happy. Well, God answered my prayers in a way different than I expected. I knew in my heart that having a dog could be a turning point for him.
Well, after much negotiation, begging and tears, I finally managed to get the whole family "pro-dog." An exhausting workout for me. I searched countless dog adoption sites and rescues.
We finally found Lily. She is a 4/5 year old black labrador mix. She has had some tough times. Amazingly, every one of the kids fell in love with her. I can't believe how much James has bonded with her in only 4 short weeks. She is my shadow and buddy during the day. Jillian feels that she finally has a big sister.
I know that this post is going on way too long. I just wanted you all to know what has been consuming my time these past months.
On Saturday, we received the distressing news that Lily is heartworm positive. Well, here I go with the tears again all weekend. More worry kicking in. Gratefully, she is in good physical health and the disease is in its earliest stages. The treatment and recovery period is tough. She has to receive her first painful injection on Tuesday morning. For 6 weeks after, I have to closely monitor her for complications and make sure that she doesn't have any exercise or excitement. There could be a threat of stroke or pulmonary embellism.
Overall, I am very optimistic after speaking with my vet. She feels that Lily will get through it all right.
We love her and we'll be here for her. The whole gang. We are closer as a family since getting Lily. I sweep up a bunch of dog hair now and love when she looks for her belly rubs. She needed a home, and apparently we needed a dog.
I'll keep you all posted on her progress, and you'll see me more in this wonderful blogging world because I need to stay still a bit too during her recovery period. I have to slow down once in a while. Miss you guys!
P.S. Joe is the one with the big smile!
Well, to say that I was surprised is definitely an understatement. Joe has been afraid of dogs for as long as I can remember. Actually, three out of four of my kids have been afraid of dogs for a long time. Here is the back story about that fear. Almost 10 years ago, pregnant me (with Joe in the "belly" as Jillian would say) would waddle down the street to pick up my oldest son from the kindergarten bus which stopped at the top of our street. At that time, James was around 3 and jumping up and down next to me as we hustled to get to the bus stop each day. One day, we met "Happy" - don't let his name fool you - this dog was nowhere near the happy state of mind. Happy was a good size mutt who would have probably been just my type of dog if he didn't want to possibly wrestle me to the ground. So during our first meeting (gratefully from a distance), we realize that this dog is owner free and leash free. He starts barking aggressively at us but doesn't get too close. Over the period of a week, he gets closer and closer. I attempted to speak with the owner but he never seemed to be home. I left a handwritten note in his mailbox asking for him to keep his dog inside. Maybe it was my plea as a pregnant lady that pushed him to finally keep Happy indoors. Needless to say, James' fear of dogs cemented in his consciousness during that time.
When Joe came on the scene, we would see Happy from a distance and he wasn't acting all that happy. Well, Joe probably feeding off James' fear became afraid of dogs in those early carriage days. Jillian was afraid because she usually only feels comfortable around stuffed animals or zoo animals. My oldest John was worried about dog hair all over his stuff. My husband was concerned about the cost and limiting our mobility.
I love dogs, but I wasn't prepared for Joe's proclamation of his sudden desire to own one. My husband always said that he has four children and why would he want to add a furry one to the mix. Now the mama in me had a dilemma. How do I either convince Joe that a dog is not the answer to his need for something to make him happy or how do I convince James and Jillian that a dog will not freak them out every day in the house?
We tried bribery on Joe. We would say something like, "Joe, what about a swimming pool? (we can't afford one by the way) or "What about a trip?" He would say, "The dog can count for 10 birthdays and 10 Christmas presents."
Now when we would try to convince James that I would find the most peaceful, mellow dog out there, he would say, "Mom, if you get a dog, I will never ever be comfortable in my own house. You know that dogs make me nervous. What about my feelings?"
Joe has always been my sad sack kid. I have prayed so much to know what would make him happy. Well, God answered my prayers in a way different than I expected. I knew in my heart that having a dog could be a turning point for him.
Well, after much negotiation, begging and tears, I finally managed to get the whole family "pro-dog." An exhausting workout for me. I searched countless dog adoption sites and rescues.
We finally found Lily. She is a 4/5 year old black labrador mix. She has had some tough times. Amazingly, every one of the kids fell in love with her. I can't believe how much James has bonded with her in only 4 short weeks. She is my shadow and buddy during the day. Jillian feels that she finally has a big sister.
I know that this post is going on way too long. I just wanted you all to know what has been consuming my time these past months.
On Saturday, we received the distressing news that Lily is heartworm positive. Well, here I go with the tears again all weekend. More worry kicking in. Gratefully, she is in good physical health and the disease is in its earliest stages. The treatment and recovery period is tough. She has to receive her first painful injection on Tuesday morning. For 6 weeks after, I have to closely monitor her for complications and make sure that she doesn't have any exercise or excitement. There could be a threat of stroke or pulmonary embellism.
Overall, I am very optimistic after speaking with my vet. She feels that Lily will get through it all right.
We love her and we'll be here for her. The whole gang. We are closer as a family since getting Lily. I sweep up a bunch of dog hair now and love when she looks for her belly rubs. She needed a home, and apparently we needed a dog.
I'll keep you all posted on her progress, and you'll see me more in this wonderful blogging world because I need to stay still a bit too during her recovery period. I have to slow down once in a while. Miss you guys!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Jesus said, "The greatest commandment is to love..."
I tell my CCD class that love is deep within each of us. Think of the power of all that love. One of my students said that she likes to think of the Earth's core being made of love. I pray that humanity's collective love will fuel positive and life affirming energy that will turn into definitive actions to ensure no one's love and life is extinguished in such tragic and violent ways.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
So how do you build a log cabin anyway? Can a girl from the Bronx find quiet somewhere besides the bathroom?
I think that I may have to become Kelly Thoreau and find a cabin in the woods for peaceful, undisturbed and healing blogging time. Has it really been this long since I blogged? It has been a busy time for me with planning for Fright Night at the intermediate school (a big success gratefully), juggling the kids' activities and my volunteer work, and weathering through a week long power outage. All in all, we feel blessed to be safe, healthy and happy here in our home together. I pray for all those who have lost so much due to the storm.
I can't wait to visit all of you soon. My battle with laryngitis is almost over and a vlog will soon be showing up here. Now that the voice is returning, my kids are "thrilled" that I don't have to make all those crazy hand gestures and facial expressions to get my point across to them. How much the teenagers loved to act like they didn't understand my mime attempts at communication. When a battle would brew among the boys, you can be sure that an almost accurately thrown laundry sock ball was thrown into the mix to get their attention. Needless to say, they laughed at my "lame" (their description) attempt at pitching!
I can't wait to visit all of you soon. My battle with laryngitis is almost over and a vlog will soon be showing up here. Now that the voice is returning, my kids are "thrilled" that I don't have to make all those crazy hand gestures and facial expressions to get my point across to them. How much the teenagers loved to act like they didn't understand my mime attempts at communication. When a battle would brew among the boys, you can be sure that an almost accurately thrown laundry sock ball was thrown into the mix to get their attention. Needless to say, they laughed at my "lame" (their description) attempt at pitching!
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