Playing Hookey with Mom and Dad

  Bad mommy bad mommy.

               I know her teachers would have said "That's not legal!"


My Daughter is 14 years old today and yesterday instead of sending her to school....I let her stay home. I know Bad Mommy, but there's a reason.



On Sunday we celebrated with family. Later that night she came to me a bit upset. She said she felt as if she was kind of invisible that day.

Her cousin and my son played ninjas or special ops or whatever boys like to play....and well 14 year old girls just don't.


All the adults were in the Kitchen hanging out and talking and she felt......left out.

It was her birthday and she felt left out.

I felt horrible. My Husband felt horrible. It was wrong.

So I told her. "You and Daddy and I are going to take the day off tomorrow. It'll be just us three."

 I called the school to let them know that she would not be in yesterday.We took our baby girl out to eat for lunch at the restaurant of her choice.

We didn't talk about school or grades. We talked about everything and anything else. We laughed and joked around.


Later we took a walk. We went to the mall and she got to do something that she has wanted to do for quite a long time now....she got her ears pierced.

As she walked down the stairs this morning she was a absolutely beautiful....radiant even.

For a long while I have been feeling those familiar "Mother of a Teenager pangs" you know the ones where you feel that the more you want to hold on the more they want to escape and be free? It's normal.

           
 I have accepted the fact that She is getting older and craves more freedom. My job with my Husband is to hold on tight, but with full knowledge that our grasp is weakening. The pull is too strong and as much as we dislike it...she getting older and growing up. Eventually we will have to let go, but not now not yet.  This time she didn't pull away. she wanted to be with us and we were there.   

                                                                               
Yesterday we made our Daughter very happy. She had fun being with us and we were thrilled to hang out with her.


She is a great kid. A caring, intelligent beautiful young lady. And I thank God everyday.


Many would say it was irresponsible and wrong  not to send her to school. They might say that the day with her could have been planned for another day.....but you know what?...it couldn't.

 Sometimes things like this just can't wait. I say she is a great student and missing one day won't make a huge difference in her grades but it made a huge difference to her and I wouldn't trade those hours yesterday with her for all the money in the world.
Her smile and hug this morning was all the proof I needed.
                                         
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Happy Birthday Baby Angel.

               I love you with all my Heart,

                                                      MOM

P.S. It was fun playing hookey with you!

Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired

            I'm not happy with my weight. I used to be quite skinny. In fact when I got married I weighed 128 pounds, and I am 5'7 1/2" tall.  They say when you are happily in love and settled that you gain weight. I thought...gain weight because you're happy? ...not me.




Well folks I must have been deliriously joyful because here I am almost 17 years later and 40+ pounds overweight ( when I write "plus" I mean add another 10 more pounds)


What the heck happened? When I had my little girl I lost the weight and then some.




When I had my Son that's when the fat stuck to me like glue. It hugged me and kept me comfy and warm. It told me that I deserved to have ding dongs and that chips were so thin they couldn't possibly be that bad.


As I gained...My brain told me "you are still skinny"


When I couldn't fit into my old size; my brain said "Those European sizes run really small"


Clothes no longer feel comfortable. Now look, I am NOT one of those women that wear spandex or clothes that are two sizes too small.  What I do wear never ever feel comfortable. jeans roll down to expose muffin tops.


Belly at times make me look pregers.


And whats the deal with the flappy arms? notice I wrote flappy NOT flabby....because I have recently noticed some kind of flapping action there. Waving Good bye has now become a controlled motion curtailing the  inevitable flapping back and forth of arm flab. In others words...I try to not wave too hard for fear of creating a breeze with said arm flabbidge.




There's more jiggle than a bowl of jello in an earthquake.


This has got to stop people.


I am so tired of feeling this way... and I am so tired of complaining. I'm the cause of all this.


I'm tired of feeling tired.


So I am making a list of things that I want and things that I don't want




                               

1. I don't want to dread getting in a bathing suit


2. I want a flatter tummy so that people don't mistake me for a pregnant woman

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3. I don't want to have to wear one of these every time I want to wear a dress
                    
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4. I want to dance without all the extra jiggle.
                       
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5. I don't want to Look at a large blouse and think it's still too small for me.


6. I want to feel Good again.




So I back at square one and I'm trying again...No fad diets , no Nutrisystem ( can't afford it even if I wanted it anyway)


I'm going to try to do this the old fashioned way........liposuction   Diet and exercise


See that side bar? That is where I will jot down my progress and my failures...hopefully the latter won't occur very often.


I had penne Ala vodka tonight...so I am off to a horrible start.


What's on the menu for breakfast?   Hard boiled egg and dry toast. coffee


Will I say goodbye to my faves? No. I will have them not as often and portions will be a lot smaller.

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Lots of fruits and veggies will have to be the norm.


Maybe I'll go from being sick and tired to


Feeling Healthy and energetic...time will tell.


So are you sick and tired too?

Artsy Fartsy Friday~~~ Carl Warner~ Food Landscapes

 

          Welcome to Artsy Fartsy Friday! If you are new to this blog or just popping in....Every Friday I post some kind of art. I love art, and I love to watch the creative process. This week is no different....Remember when your Mom would tell you not to play with your food?

          Well this week's artist Carl Warner has completely disregarded that reprimand and has made a living out of playing with his food ...or rather making art with it. His art is truly amazing and I'll bet you'll never look at broccoli the same way again!



                 


                           More Carl Warner

     Look closely and you will start to see the different foods and vegetables

                   
                 


         Amazing right? 

              I hope you all have a Weekend filled with God's Blessings!
                                 
                                                   Blessings, Joanne

Max Takes Over

       Hiya,
            My Name is Max,
                         and since Da Mama is a bit busy I decided to come to the rescue and take over the blog for today.  Hmmmm what to write about what to write ab.....................Is that a squirrel?!!!
                                  
              
 False alarm



   Anyway, as I was saying...I have decided to take time from my busy schedule to help Da Mama with her post today. and believe you me Da mama is very grateful that I could make time for this...what with me being so busy and all




                   

Hey who posted that picture? Come on show them what I really do all day.














                    
Hilarious Da Mom; Just don't be surprised if one of your slippers goes missing!





Anyhoo, My little paws were busily typing away and searching for some cool animal videos.

Here are a couple of videos that I found that I thought were just adorable and guaranteed to make you smile. The first one is titled Lyze- The Happiest Owlet. She definitely makes those other owls jealous!


                                   
               
            

                        The next one is soooooooooo funny. I don't know how the creator of this video did it but this is priceless. It's called
Ultimate Dog Tease 
                     
                  


Well That's it for now, I hope you all liked the post today. Excuse me I gotta get back to work.




 





                                                     
      

Very funny mom......where's that slipper!

Wednesday's Fashion~~~Jellies

      In 1976 I was a barely a teen. I was living In New York City and everywhere people had Bicentennial Fever. I remember watching the fireworks on the Fourth of July from a crowded spot overlooking the East River. I remember everything about that day, even what I was wearing on my feet....Jellies. You remember Jellies don't you? They were those plastic sandals that came in all different colors. I wonder what in the world was their appeal? I guess it could have been the price. I think I paid at most ten dollars for them.  There is nothing like the feeling of hot sweaty feet encased in plastic ...UGH, but I loved my Jelly sandals.


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Every now and then shoe designers try to bring back Jellies to see if they can reach fad status again. This year is no different.

 

They have changed a bit

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                                         These have a bit of a wedge
                                       
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These take Jellies to new heights

                                                                                              
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Yikes! can you imagine how sweaty feet will get in these?



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  Wow these look soooo comfy!                                                       
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A couple of hours in these non-breathable shoes....P.U!

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Designers that have reinvented the Jelly sandals have creatively

                            produced some interesting styles...very pretty.



                   Though my favorites will always be the original.
                                                                                               
                                         
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By the way, one way that I avoid blisters is to spread a bit of petroleum jelly on area that I feel will rub against shoe. The thin layer of vaseline will prevent the rubbing and hopefully prevent blisters too!


Did you wear Jellies? Would you wear any of these styles now?

I've Been Tagged

Lena over at Coffee Cat tagged me. Thanks Lena. I have to apologize to everyone else who have tagged me or given me awards. There is no excuse why I never got around to displaying them. I am the biggest procrastinator and then I would forget who gave me what! I promise that I will try to do better and I am starting with Lena.

Rules 

You must post the rules

Post 11 fun facts about yourself

Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you & then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged

Tag 11 people and link them in your post

Let them know you have tagged them.

Now, since I like to bend rules You don't have to follow the rules here to a T. If you want to answer just some of the questions or pick less people to tag thats ok...and if you decide not to do this at all well that ok too!

11 things about me

    1.Once on New year's eve My friends and I were interviewed by Chauncey Howell (news reporter)

    2. I once had a small part in a local Television commercial

    3.I attended an all girl catholic High school...BOOO HISSSSS

       

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    4. I once auditioned for an MTV dance show....no I didn't get in.

             

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    5. I still dance to disco music when I am at home

              

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    6. When I was little I was convinced the most beautiful name in the world was Persephone ( taken from the Greek Myth explaining the change of seasons)

            

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    7. I am obsessed with smells. I keep Frebreze in business

                   

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    8. If I see someone crying I feel like crying too...even if I have no idea what they are crying about...I hate to see anyone sad.

                

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    9.I can live on bread and butter

   10. My wedding song was "Pledge of My Love by Johnny Ace"

   11. I'm an overprotective mom.

             

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My Answers to Lena's Questions

1. What is the biggest lesson your mother taught you?

   answer: She taught me family first before anything

2. If you had a chance to go on a date with one celebrity, who would you choose? Why?

    answer: If he was still alive James Stewart for sure!
               
                    

3. What is missing in your life right now?

    answer: I wish I had a better relationship with my Brothers

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

    answer:There is a bakery that I go to once in a while that has the best Latin American pastries...YUM
             
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5. What are your favorite stores to shop?

    answer: I have to say Kohl's and Target...and at times thrift stores

6. You have a free evening at home; what would you do?

    answer: well, it depends am i ALONE? If the family is here then I really don't get to do what I want until everyone is asleep

7. Why do you blog?

    answer: I love to write. Seeing that people enjoy what I write is an awesome feeling

8. What is/are your talent/s?

    answer: I think I'm a good writer but I am also good at art. and singing in the shower!
                
                       
9. If someone offered to pay for you next vacation, where would you go and why?

     answer: I would go to Italy. I would love to see all the art that I studied in school

10. What makes you stand out in a crowd?

       answer: my clumsiness, but when you get to know me I am really fun and a pretty good friend

11. What is your drink of choice at Starbucks

     answer: anything with caramel is great but a lot of times I just go for the cappuccino

My questions to the 11 people below

1. If you could acquire any talent overnight what would it be?

2. If You are married where did you spend your Honeymoon? If you are not where would you like to spend your Honeymoon?

3. If given the chance where in the world would you like to live for a year?

4. What fairytale character are you most like?

5. What's your favorite topping on pizza?

6. What first attracted you to your significant other? If you are not with anyone right now what is the first thing you notice?

7. Whats the one color or print that you will never ever wear?

8. If given the chance to meet a fellow blogger who would it be?

9. Whats the most courageous thing you ever did?

10. What is your favorite movie of all time?

11. what's your favorite song right now?

Here are the 11 people I chose

1.Tracy Jo at Brand New Day

2.Beth at Day by Day With Beth Marie

3.Becca at Everyday Life

4.Jann at Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson

5.Sue H at I Refuse To Go Quietly!

6.Barb at Journal Jots

7.Ginny at Let Your Light Shine

8.Ma at Ma's Blog

9.Sarah (Nikki) at No Hope? Know Hope!

10.Sally at Retired English Teacher

11.Alexis at Running away? I'll help you pack.

Now here's another rule...you don't have to do this if you don't want to. No pressure! Have an awesome Tuesday! 

Almost a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I'm getting old.

or maybe I am inundated with too many things.

I feel like I'm trying to do everything and succeeding at nothing.

Every time I feel like I am making some headway...something happens to prove that I am just standing still.

All I wanted was to have a quick bite to eat before I rushed out to yet another "Gotta DO" thing on my long list.

I decided to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
          

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I set up the pan.

I buttered the bread.

I wait for both sides to get golden brown with yummy goodness.

I noticed something wrong.



I forgot the stinkin' cheese!
                                      


I turn off the stove and realize I am late...gotta go, but before I do I gulp down a bit of coffee and have a couple of slices of toasted bread and butter....not what I intended, but when life pelts you with lemons...make lemon chiffon pie
....I know, I know that's not how the saying goes, but I'm still hungry!



Have a great Monday!

Artsy Fartsy Friday~~~Art of Su Blackwell

Hi Friends! Well if you can believe it...it's Friday again.

I think its the gloomy weather that has me feeling a bit blah this week. So if you have had a week that has left you feeling ...Blah... I hope this leaves you with a bit of magic to enjoy an awesome weekend. Today's featured Artist is Su Blackwell. She creates art from old books! She cuts out images from old books to create three-dimensional diorama's, and displays them inside wooden boxes. The effect is ethereal.

                

Doesn't this leave you feeling like you were touch with a bit of magic?

    I hope you all have an awesome weekend filled with wonderful surprises!

                                     Blessings, Joanne

Wednesday's Fashion~~~~A Beautiful Sari

 

   When I was little There were four articles of clothing or accessories that I wanted more than anything.


                                  a real diamond tiara
                                   
                              
a princess dress

     Disney's Cinderella








               A pair of pro keds sneakers
                         
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and ....






              a Sari.

Now I have seen the spelling as Saree as well and the difference I found on the net is

Saree is unstitched cloth which can be draped in different styles where as prestitched sari are already stitched in one style.

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I lived in New york, the melting pot of the world. Near our apartment was a little fabric store that sold Indian fabrics and designs. Every time we would walk down that street I would make my Mom stop so we could look at the beautiful fabrics and pictures of Saris in the window.




"Mom look it's so pretty!" I would excitedly point to my favorite dress. " Can I get one?"


"No, Joanne. You can't wear that."


"Please Mom, can I please get one?"


"No, Joanne You can't." Mom would say.


"But whyyyyyyyyy?" I would whine.


"Well, for one they must be very expensive and  two...You're not from India!"


On and on I would plead. I thought the Sari was one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. I loved the way it draped over the shoulder and seemed to make the wearer appear regal.
At home I would wrap my newly laundered flowered bed sheet around me and try to drape it like the women I saw wearing Saris. I looked like I was going to a Frat Toga party.


Even now whenever I see someone in a beautiful Sari I just turn into that little girl looking through the window of the fabric shop.




A few months ago I noticed a family in church whose Mom was wear a gorgeous Sari. I wanted to go up to her and tell her how pretty I thought it was but I decided she would probably think me a sort of "Sari stalker".




I  wondered what it would be like to wear one just once.


                                                     Beautiful Banarsi Sari
                               
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The backs of these Saris are gorgeous!
                           
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Ashley Judd Looking like a princess
                      
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A gorgeous Bride
                          
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Aren't these just beautiful? Have you ever worn a Sari or Saree? I would love to know!