6/09
Huntington Library: Rose Tea Garden, Museum, And Arborium
Surprisingly the first special outting my Mother, sister and I do together. We had a very nice time together, Irma drove, because it was in her neck of the woods. The Rose Tea Garden was so cute and girly, we sampled almost everything and actually drank tea, while we leisurely chatted. The gardens were beautiful, we all loved the huge Koi pond, which I didn't take a picture of =(. We strolled through the themed gardens and then went into the library and museums. It was a cool crisp day and as you can see in the pictures, Irma was covered and my Mom used my jacket, I on the other hand have my sleeves up. It drizzeled some too, they both covered their heads, I wanted to take a picture, but I wasn't sure if they'd get offended. Irma looked like she belonged in the Asian garden in her linen skirt and shawl over her head. It turns out even when my Mom is having a good time, she doesn't like having her picture taken so she looks away from the camera on purpose. Boy, are we short. Irma gave me a SISTER picture frame but I don't have a picture of us so this was the perfect opportunity to take on. The lavander tree riminded me of your tree-phase, The odd looking trees are all growing out of one root/trunk system. We stayed all day and could have come back a second day to see and read all the exibits and enjoy the gardens. Mom said it was like a dream come true to visit such a place and see such beauty, from art, porcelain, architecture and horaculture.
5/09
Fun with a chance of showers
We loaded up our bikes and drove to S. Pasadena where Ben had been to see a client and thought it would be fun to ride our bikes together....he was right! The streets were quiet and lined with beautiful trees, the homes were gorgeous and not one looked like another and we could not decide which was prettier. It was a cool day; cloudy and threatening to rain, we braved it anyway and even though we did get several drizzles we loved it. I insisted on taking pictures: see Dad on the phone (always doing business), see Dad smiling (that was the second picture I took of him the first one he didn't smile--no surprise there), see me =). After we rode for a couple of hours we had lunch and headed back home. It was a lovely date.
6/17/09
celebrating 53!!
pardon the mix-up, i thought i had the pictures in order but my comp. has a mind of its own, and mine is impaired so...welp.
the pictures where i'm wearing a pink top are b-day pics, the teal/black top are mother's day pics.
for my b-day we went to breakfast-those pics were taken w/ another camera, golfing--i'll have to post those separately too, we went to disneyland you can see the b-day button and ben left outside while i went in to redeem my ticket and save the other ticket for when our NY kids came out. we went to dinner to el rey, yup plain and yummy. homemade cake by KC, and midnight showing of terminator as you can see the girls in the back seat on our way home at 2:30am. included are our indoor pets, sonora and fee-fee.
i was blessed, i got, a bike, helmet, bottle holder, gel seat cover, a scale and a new storage shelf for our bathroom, a mug and photos in a frame, a gift card, lotion and a sister frame, plus a special visit from our NY kids!!!...hm i'm forgetting something. it was a wonderful birthday, we were all together and i think we all had a good time.
6/18/09
a month ago i had a very reflective paragraph in this very spot, and yesterday as i was adding a new entry with pictures clicking to my hearts desire...and feeling quite accomplished, i noticed i had inadvertantly deleted my previous paragraph of which only the title below remains---like a testament of the insightful note----pft!
a month ago i had a very reflective paragraph in this very spot, and yesterday as i was adding a new entry with pictures clicking to my hearts desire...and feeling quite accomplished, i noticed i had inadvertantly deleted my previous paragraph of which only the title below remains---like a testament of the insightful note----pft!
what's the message?
what's the message?
when temporary turns into permanent
At some point Fish had a name, maybe Fishy, or Glen--that rings a bell--because at our house all things animate or inanimate are named. As most pets in our home Fish has fallen on the parents tending to it, namely me in this case. As I was dutyfully cleaning Fish, I wondered how much longer I would be taking care of it; not that I wish it dead, but it is afterall one more task on my 'to-do' list. Naturally I googled it; goldfish live 5 to 8 years and some even to 10 years, holy moly!!!!! We've had fish so long he's now part of the scenary, like my odds and ends I call decorations, but really are dust catchers, or the bamboo plant Missy left behind and I couldn't bear to throw away. Fish has had several homes and locations, from a mason jar, (we didn't think it would live more than a week) various sized fish bowls to a full fledged aquarium and always in prominent spots. Fish has been our 'pet' for 5 years I figure. I imagine that when Fish does go to fish-heaven, he will be missed, afterall he has brought us many enjoyable moments, and memories not the least of which is a sizable scar on my big right toe.
april 30, 2009
...the power of amazement is fragile. it requires a conscious effort to maintain awe fresh; not a fabricated sense of awe but a pure wonderment of miracles both small and large, in our lives and in others around us. i define miracles as an event in which devine intervention is the only explination possible. today is my 18th anniversary of having brain surgery to remove a cancerous lemon-sized tumor. the miracle was in the way it was diagnosed, removed, ultimately identified as benign and non-metastesising, and in a complete recovery. i know, lots of people survive brain surgery, but how did i get from a prognosis of 3 months to living 18 years plus??? hense...a miracle!!
i live in a state of daily thankfulness, so much so that today would have gone unnoticed, kind of like a birthday that you anticipate, look forward to and when the day comes, oops, it slips right past you. so my gift today was hearing my daughter wishing me a happy anniversary....this is why i was given my life back, to be a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend. so happy anniversary to me!! i think i will celebrate.
Yeepie Birthday # 54!!
This year posed new scheduling challenges; first full-time work has been dropped on my lap, literally, then there's Ben's full-full-full work days, thirdly, Kimberly is off only on Wed. & Thurs. and works until 11:30pm. whereas Stephanie's days off change every week but always works until 9:30pm and lastly, Melissa and Tristan are on the East coast and 3 hours ahead---it all makes it tough to plan a family event. The highlight of my birthday celebration was getting us all together to skype/webcam.
Webcamming is a bit ackward because it feels staged and everyone feels like they're suppose to 'perform', like when you pose for a picture.aragraph. Then there's the lighting and sound to contend with not to metion trying to get everyone on the screen. Persistance pays off though, and when at last all the stars where aligned we had a fun chat.
A week earlier a big box was delivered for me and having been instructed not to even open the exterior box, it sat in the living oom for a week, taunting me as I glance at it every single time I went by it. The big reveal proved to be a huge COACH box!! What anticipation, first to untie the silky brown bag in order to find a fantabulous COACH purse, not just a Coach purse but a purse that even Coach purses envy.
My resourceful family worked together to give to gift me with something I would NEVER buy for myself---an expensive purse!! Funny sidenote, Ben asked me several times what I wanted for Mother's Day--slash--Birthday since they're only a week or so apart. I would answer with, "what's your budget?" "if it's less than $200, than nothing; I don't NEED anything. If it's $200-300, then I know exactly what I want, (thinking of a coach purse or diamond earrings). to end al.
I truly, I was in shock and still am, this purse is so much that I feel like I can't use it, like I don't deserve it, like it's not believeable for me to have it. Aside from realizing that said purse style is probably not the right one for me, (but really it's besides the point) I will go to the store and browse to see if I find just the right one assisted by one or both of my girls,
I am still overwhelmed, aside from being a huge expense for all my hard working loved ones it was a tremendously thoughtful gift! If there is such a thing as feeling OVER-loved, then that would describe how I feel about my incredible children and husband.
The cards that they gave me and the sentiments that they expressed is a reflection of their hearts, the beautiful purse is a product of their hard work. Together, it's a double scoop of LOVE.
Webcamming is a bit ackward because it feels staged and everyone feels like they're suppose to 'perform', like when you pose for a picture.aragraph. Then there's the lighting and sound to contend with not to metion trying to get everyone on the screen. Persistance pays off though, and when at last all the stars where aligned we had a fun chat.
A week earlier a big box was delivered for me and having been instructed not to even open the exterior box, it sat in the living oom for a week, taunting me as I glance at it every single time I went by it. The big reveal proved to be a huge COACH box!! What anticipation, first to untie the silky brown bag in order to find a fantabulous COACH purse, not just a Coach purse but a purse that even Coach purses envy.
My resourceful family worked together to give to gift me with something I would NEVER buy for myself---an expensive purse!! Funny sidenote, Ben asked me several times what I wanted for Mother's Day--slash--Birthday since they're only a week or so apart. I would answer with, "what's your budget?" "if it's less than $200, than nothing; I don't NEED anything. If it's $200-300, then I know exactly what I want, (thinking of a coach purse or diamond earrings). to end al.
I truly, I was in shock and still am, this purse is so much that I feel like I can't use it, like I don't deserve it, like it's not believeable for me to have it. Aside from realizing that said purse style is probably not the right one for me, (but really it's besides the point) I will go to the store and browse to see if I find just the right one assisted by one or both of my girls,
I am still overwhelmed, aside from being a huge expense for all my hard working loved ones it was a tremendously thoughtful gift! If there is such a thing as feeling OVER-loved, then that would describe how I feel about my incredible children and husband.
The cards that they gave me and the sentiments that they expressed is a reflection of their hearts, the beautiful purse is a product of their hard work. Together, it's a double scoop of LOVE.
Who is missing??
Here we are waiting for a table for dinner at 8pm, at Riverside Grill; one of Chino's best kept secrets. (Steph managed to switch her hours and got out early) This turned out to be one of THEE best dinner's we've had, in I can't remember when, everyone got along, they were chatty, friendly and happy. We closed out the restaurant and even sang HB with a big brownie treat we all shared. Everyone loved the food and the ambiance!!
It was the best and worst--I woke up to a custom made B-day banner, I had to work---I know, when was the last time I worked on my B-day? Some of my friends at work were very sweet to me, I got Starbucks, lunch, a lovely card, frame and flowers. I talked to my sweet girl from NY on the "phone" three times, but her little voice was sad and I was left missing her more than ever and crying over it. Why does love hurt? I got lots of FB B-day wishes. Webcamming is an amazing thing, so even though I couldn't have my daughter and son-in-law in person, I got the next best thing, seeing and talking to them in real time....the down-side? that I couldn't wrap my arms around her and give her kisses. Being together, basking in my family's love in the form of laughter, hugs, kisses, chatter, cards with precious thoughts from their hearts, thoughtful and amazing gifts and being together is just about everything I could ask for....plus one more thing. I am extravagantly loved!!!
It was the best and worst--I woke up to a custom made B-day banner, I had to work---I know, when was the last time I worked on my B-day? Some of my friends at work were very sweet to me, I got Starbucks, lunch, a lovely card, frame and flowers. I talked to my sweet girl from NY on the "phone" three times, but her little voice was sad and I was left missing her more than ever and crying over it. Why does love hurt? I got lots of FB B-day wishes. Webcamming is an amazing thing, so even though I couldn't have my daughter and son-in-law in person, I got the next best thing, seeing and talking to them in real time....the down-side? that I couldn't wrap my arms around her and give her kisses. Being together, basking in my family's love in the form of laughter, hugs, kisses, chatter, cards with precious thoughts from their hearts, thoughtful and amazing gifts and being together is just about everything I could ask for....plus one more thing. I am extravagantly loved!!!
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