Snow Day 4

Snow day 4 calls for chess matches.

Snow Day 3

We are on snow day 3!

All the pretty white snow has turned grey with dirt. I think it's time for it to melt.

Snow Day Sunset

Snow day sunset - pretty amazing!

Snow Day!

We got a snow day today!

I had all these plans of going out with Elijah, who loves the snow as much as I do, to take the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood, make a snowman and get plenty of pretty pictures. I fell asleep last night with visions of sugarplums snow day dancing in my head.

This is what actually happened....I got up, had my morning coffee, snapped a few pictures, made breakfast, did a little work and decided to head out.

Titus was already outside as he loves the snow and had been out all morning playing in it. I tried to get his leash on before we left the backyard, but he got away from me and ran out the gate! And my snow day dreams went down hill from there! I was out running after Titus all through the neighborhood, yelling out his name like a crazy lady. I had to chase him through woods and warn all the kids and families, sledding and having a great snow day that my dog doesn't bite as he ran toward them. He was running circles around me in the middle of an open field, would stop for a second, look at me, and as soon as I got close, he would take off running! We were running through yards messing up all the pretty snow. I had neighbors looking out their windows laughing at us. So not what I envisioned! I finally caught him after about an hour of chasing him!

Needless to say, after that fiasco I was done with our snow day! We are not on good terms right now!

Snow Again!!

We are getting snow tonight! I dragged Ezekiel out to the store with me. He wasn't amused and or as excited as I was of the snow. He was just being a good son and riding with me.

Coach

He is in his element when coaching. Of all the things he could have been in this life, I truly believe he was meant to be a coach.

Ooops

That moment when you realize you haven't taken a picture for the day yet, and you snap a quick one of doggie bath time. Not the greatest photo, but you got your photo and are still on a roll for your one a day. Phew!

Weekending

Weekends are for knitting. At least I think so.

Friday Night Date

Back in the day, Olive Garden use to be Fonzy and my spot. It's been a few years since we've gone, so decided to go for a late birthday dinner. Olive Garden is not what it use to be! Bread sticks and salad are still good, but the main course, not so much. I was kind of disappointed. The only good thing about dinner was the conversation. Ezekiel and Elijah are always good for a laugh. Some of the stuff they say is pretty funny.
I look at these pictures I snapped with my iphone and wonder where the years went. They are growing up right before my very eyes.

Love/Hate

Ezekiel and I recently watched Spike Lee's movie, "Do The Right Thing". A classic! He's been quoting parts of the movie everyday. While he was doing his homework tonight I noticed something on his fingers. I asked what it was, and he said it was love and hate - like Radio Raheem. He had the love/hate on the wrong hands, but that's ok. The message stuck with him.

Love always beats hate.

 Here's Radio Raheem's Love/Hate speech.

"Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It's a tale of good and evil. Hate: it was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love: these five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that's right. Ooh, it's a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he's down. Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love."

43 and Snow!

Today I am 43. And I got a dusting of snow. Just enough to make it pretty, but not enough to cancel school/work.

43.

In these 43 years, I've loved, I've lost, I've had happiness and extreme sorrow. I've failed. I've succeeded. I've grown and still growing.

I love my life and look forward to all that God still has in store for me.

Last year I had Fonzy and boys take a picture with me on my birthday. Trying to start a tradition. They oblige since it's my birthday...kinda. Rabbit ears!

Snow

Growing up in Dunkirk, New York I cursed the snow. Trudging through it everyday to school I swore I would live somewhere there was no snow! Now I look forward to snow. Any mention of it and I get excited like a little kid.  They are predicting snow tomorrow. On my birthday! That would be a great gift.

#2

We have broken bone number 2! His big toe.

Dog Baby

Elijah - "Mom....look at Azul. He's my baby."

Another Food Picture

Not sure if anyone has noticed, but I've been taking a picture or pictures everyday since the New Year. I've tried this several times before, and have always failed, but I'm determined to do this, so here we go again. Taking a picture a day is not as easy as it sounds though. Sometimes all I end up with is...food!

Oh well...at least we will know what we ate on a certain day. Sunday dinner was a roasted chicken in my new favorite dutch oven. It was good.

Little Things

It's truly the little things.

Grating carrots, cheese, whatever is so much easier when you have a grater like this. I had a little cheese grater that took forever to grate things. I complained about it and this showed up for Christmas. No need for any fancy food processor. Just a good, old fashioned grater like my mom had.

Simple - yet so appreciated.

Boys and Dogs

I'm surrounded by boys and dogs.

Doll Maker

I love making dolls. Seeing them come to life with each stitch I knit.

Foggy

Foggy.

It's funny how a foggy morning gets your mind turning.

Sometimes when calling out to one of my boys, I catch myself saying Samuel.

Sometimes in a moment, I forget he is no longer here.

Sitting at a red light, I realize this year will mark 5 years since he has been gone. Really? 5 years? No....can't be. I had to recount, using my fingers.

He was killed May 23, 2009.

2010...2011...2012...2013....2014...yes this year will be 5 years.

I see his face, remember his smile....but sometimes my brain is foggy and I can't remember how he sounded when he laughed. His voice gets a little foggy, but then I remember I have a cd...with his voice on it. I try to play it, but then remember how much it hurts to hear his voice. And sometimes, I welcome the fog, the forgetting for a moment. Because in that moment, that split second, he's still here.

But only for a moment.