http://flipagram.com/f/OVklW6UXNJ
2015 begins...
New favorite Avaisms...
"for goodness sakes"
"off the hook"
"ve-za-za" (her "French word for vagina")
Ava will be 7 this year. WOW! 7. Lucky little lady. Her whole life still ahead of her, and she is doing great. One step at a time she grows and changes right before our eyes. She shows a love for making up games, making stuff out of trash, reading, math, independence, and her BFF Finley. Finley says Ava is the funniest person she knows and Ava says Finley is the happiest. I think that makes a good recipe for a first friendship.
I can't really say I miss the toddler days because this past year has been so much fun. She got some freedom, and Mom got some freedom; that is also a recipe for happiness.
This year I aim to teach her that everyday you are blessed to wake up is another day to get it right. Take advantage; live life to its fullest. Be happy. Be thankful. Be forgiving. Be you!
Stuff....
CLUE becomes a favorite game
I follow National Geographic on Instagram and it's eye opening & awe inspiring. One thing I take away from them...the environment is in danger.
In anticipation of painters coming to reface my cabinets, I cleared out 23 cabinets & kept what we really use & need into 5 cabinets...that's it, 5! So sad it is in our nature to think we need all 28 cabinets full. My New Year's resolution is to simplify our lives of all this crap. The drawer below shows items I really need daily, but there was so much more crap, & it was spread across 10 full drawers. I needed 3.
Yes. Remember.
Paris... Freedom of Speech will always stand strongest.
'We are not afraid' !! (My favorite picture after the brutal murders at Charlie Hebdo)
http://blog.sfgate.com/morford/2015/01/14/frances-war-on-terrorism-bush-sized-mistake/
I am not 100% on board with everything in this article, but pretty damn close. One thing that moved me after the horrible events in France were the people (not the PM). They gathered in enormous numbers & quietly took a peaceful stand. It gave me the chills to see that many people taking a stand in a way I could relate to. I wanted to jump on an airline & join them. I believe in fighting evil with peace. Evil cannot thrive amongst unity, understanding, acceptance, & peace. The French people will not win this war, but maybe they set a new standard.
I didn't know about this, and I am obviously totally into it! Thanks Kelly Humphry for posting this.
http://omeleto.com/203170/
We haven't had much snow or cold this year, but I have to admit, sledding when it's in the 30's is way more fun...
Random...."Mom, I challenge you to a dance off to Ice Ice Baby!" GAME ON!
In the gardening world, if you get your Rosemary to live through the winter indoors, you are a master gardener. I am not. I had to replant this week, but I have high hopes for this amazing Tuscan Blue version. "I think I can!"
January has been a roller coaster of ups & downs, but today when the all call went through at school that I would be subbing PE & I could hear all the kids cheer, that one single moment, made everything ok. #ilovemyschool
The best way to end our week...croissants from Suzanne's Swiss Bakery! We are very happy right now!
Warms a Mother's heart to see a saw off to the right of the picture declaring a similar love for trees.
Ava is a sleep walker so we rig things up to hear her on the move. Last night I hear her door slam open & hear her saying, "ok, one second." I quietly ask her where she is going.
"To get a kite."
"Who are you flying kites with?"
"With Mommy."
aaaaahhh!! dreams about flying kites together. I pick her stiff sleep walking self up & tell her I'd fly kites with her any day. She zonks out & sleeps until 7:12! Successful sleep walking night & I'm still smiling about kite flying.
So 40 is looming around me, & quietly waiting to take over in March...in order to embrace this next chapter, I have started with an out of the box theme song for my 40th year. Pitbull's Time of Our Lives. If you hear me blaring it, I am having a moment; let me enjoy the loudness, I promise I will move on.
Me tuning out the world today. #thankfulformusic
Camp Hamilton...
We finally made it down to celebrate 69 years with my Dad. We had such a hilarious time. Best moment...Ava patiently waiting for the glasses of wine to be poured, then with eyes darting around, dips her finger in my glass (& not only once) & licks it clean while saying, "mmmm". Great.
In Nauvoo, Il....
We visit Uncle Dale who is recovering quit nicely after open heart surgery for a heart aneurism. We spend three hours visiting, then take a walk, then drive around down memory lane.
Many a trips down this gigantic hill on skateboards as kids. It used to seem so big.
Uncle Dale's back-back yard. So pretty.
Close your eyes & envision a bunch of cousins walking this very creek 4 seasons out of the year...circa 1970's-1990's
My Stop...
The past never looks the same in the future, but driving by Grandma Lula's old house still brings forth many great memories
Ava's stop
Dejan's stop....my german aunt=liquor supply
Aunt Rosa partaking at 82.
icy Mississippi
Cornfield in waiting
something to be excited about...
If you sit right there, you can feel the earth has shifted; the sun will warm you like a summer day.
Jon Stewart leaves late night & I'm sad about that...
"Chaos cannot sustain itself. Never has, never will," says Jon Stewart one night when he stopped making jokes. I can't help but think Jon has chosen a very poignant time to leave Late Night...all three times he stopped making jokes were in the last decade; humanity really is sad. I will miss his show & the sarcasm I love.
http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2015/02/10/3621678/3-times-jon-stewart-stopped-making-jokes/
