Warm Hearts Happy Family

Everytime my husband goes to the store he comes back with a treat for the kids. 

Everytime.

And each time the treat is exactly the same, no variation, not ever.

And each time he walks through the door the kids run up to him jumping up and down eagerly await their “surprise”.

And they KNOW what their long awaited, highly anticipated treat is going to be.

Because it never changes.

Do you want to know what it is?

?

?

?

Orange Tic Tacs.

Huh?

Yes, it confuses me too.

My children, however, are on the exact same page as my husband.  They see that little rectangle full of orange tics (or tacs?) and they go nuts.  They have hit the lottery.  And Dad is the HERO. 

Weird.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I took the plunge and dyed my hair dark auburn. I have been wanting to take this bold move for awhile and my over-bleached hair kind of made the decision for me.

I had been cheating on my (amazingly beautiful and talented) colorest with a box of do-it-yourself brass blond in a box. 

I then kicked things up another notch and had my cousin highlight the brass away.  A midnight trip to Meijer, a cap and bleach, and a bottle box of wine and we were set.

And that was the night my hair died.

So a month or so later as I stood looking at the monstrosity my hair had become, and I had to make a decision.  No way could I highlight it because I was already platinum.  My brittle hair was screaming for a color deposit and so I said “what the hell”.

What I have learned about myself is 1) I really need to stop being cheap and 2) I can not believe how much of my identity I wrap up into my blond hair.  I am not sure if the latter is good or bad or what.  I just know–that while this is spicy little way to change things up–I am already mourning my blond.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

 I lost 10 subscribers and I totally deserve it.   I have not posted in about 3 weeks which is really about 3 months in blog-y years.  So my humble and heartfelt apologies to all.

Which leads me to a question I have been asking myself:

Am I narcissistic enough to blog?

I mean really, in general, I am not a self absorbed ego maniac.  But when it comes to writing I can’t help it–I want readers.  I love readers, I love invoking any kind of thought or emotion in others through something I have written.

And I am addicted to my blog.

Don’t we all need an outlet in one way or another?  Having this blog gives me a sense of purpose, a sense of possibilities.  My blog gives me hope.

Hope for what is to come, for what may be in store for my future.  My blog is never going to make me a famous author but it will keep my mind fresh and focused.  My blog keeps me in tune with my desire and talent to write; and is leading me down hidden roads I didn’t know existed. 

Hope is how we live our life in color, live life with vibrancy and joy.  And until I started writing again much of my hope was buried.  So if you haven’t already, find a passion.  Have no idea where to start?  Find a hobby and watch it grow and spin into something bigger.

Passion, hope, and peace all.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I need to put into writing, put on record what an amazing human being you are.  Of course you are a strong woman, a remarkable mother, and a doting grandmother.  But you are more than that.  You are an extraordinary person—above and beyond all of the ways women are supposed to rock at life. 

I have always admired your complete acceptance of people–the way you automatically see the good in everybody–and your nurturing soul ready to give yourself to those in need.  But what blows me away the most is your positivity.  

Most women love to gossip, secretly love to see people fail (though they would never admit it) and have a hard time accepting the success of others because of jealousy.  But you never exhibit that–never.  I have never heard you sit around and talk negativly about somebody just to make yourself feel better.  It is just not in your heart to put others down–what a rare and admirable quality to have.  This is one of the unique and beautiful things that make me so proud that you are my mother. 

You are good. 

You are honest. 

You are compassionate. 

You are accepting.

You are forgiving.

You are love.

My wish for you is to see yourself through the eyes of those that see you best.  Im afraid at times you let stress, pains from the past, and failure define your worth instead of your successes.  Everybody makes choices they regret and everybody fails at one time in their life or another.  Failure makes us stronger.  Wrong choices make us wiser.  And stress can suck it.  If you happen upon the key to stress management, you can pass that little nugget right down to me if you don’t mind.

But at the end of the day your successes in life are countless.  You  are a daughter that brings your parents such joy and such pride.  You are a wife that is nothing short of honorable.  You are a mother that taught 3 beautiful girls to be compassionate members of society.  You embedded in me a nurturing soul that my own kids are soaking in and thriving on. 

You are beautiful…in the way your hazel eyes sparkle green when you let joy override stress, your warm smile that radiates acceptance and warmth, and the intensity in your emotions.  

I love you, and am so proud to call you mom. 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Beautiful painting done by my extraordinarilly talented cousin Jackie Isaacson.  Her work has depth, emotion and the ability to tell an honest story; but also holds a secret that leaves you wanting more.

Remember her name because she is on her way to greatness.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!