Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Road Trip to Sunflowers...

After seeing friends post sunflower pictures on facebook, I had to know...where is this farm?  The name of the farm is Buttonwood Farm and it is right over the border in Connecticut.    This past weekend my BFF and I took a road trip, 60 minutes is the time limit for the road trips I like to take with Little Miss and E.  

It was time well spent.  

There were "cow rides"


  and sunflowers.....

 beautiful sunflowers...

 ...taller than me...
 there were hayrides and you could even feed the cows...



 We really couldn't get the true effect of all those sunflowers until we went on the hayride.  The flowers went on and on and on.....there was a beautiful carpet of yellow flowers...





And then the kids thought it would be fun to "hide" in the sunflowers.  The adults thought this was not such a good idea....grrrrr





There was even homemade ice cream too...yum!
The farm sells bunches of sunflowers for $5.00 and the proceeds go to Make a Wish....what's better than that?


Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do. - Helen Keller

Monday, July 30, 2012

Learning to fly....

About 2 months ago, as I waited for my physical therapy appointment, I saw J.  J was someone I met when I was on my third round of chemo.  On this particular day, she was a bit glum, as it was her last day of treatment; she said it was bittersweet.  I "secretly" thought she was a bit crazy.  I mean come on, you are on your last day of treatment, celebrate for goodness sake.  

As I approach my final round of chemo, I can now say "I get it".  Don't get me wrong, I will be celebrating as I end this portion of my treatment.  It has been a long time coming, and it has not been all that fun.  But, I do have some understanding of J's feelings.  Ending this part of treatment doesn't come without some anxiety, some fear about moving on.  During this treatment, my cleansing, the medicine has been hard at work ridding my body of those dangerous Big C cells.  I have been at the doctor's office at least one time per week and have been monitored and checked continuously.  They know me there; I can't remember the last time I had to give my name.  

Now, as this phase comes to an end, I need to hold onto Faith that all this treatment did its job, that my body can regain its capacity to operate like that of a typical 39 year old, and that it can also continue to ward off those evil Big C intruders.  

It's like a bird learning to fly....
I feel as though I'm being pushed from the nest and, ready or not, I sure as hell better flap my wings....

“The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings”

-James Matthew Barrie

Friday, July 27, 2012

Sunset...

I was told that Little Miss was chatting recently about how "Mama likes to watch the sunset".  











 Yes, it's true, Little Miss, Mama does likes to watch the sunset.  


"I always say that the times in my life when I've been happiest are the times when I've seen, like, a sunset."
Chris Evans

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Craft (kinda): Garden Bouquets

My old stand by gift...flowers from our garden arranged in a mason jar.
 This time I added glittered butterflies with a name tag and lace.

 And glued on a cute clothespin with a personal message.
 The only problem is Little Miss carried one of the vases for me and she knocked the clothespin off one of the jars....sorry Liz. Typically I would have gotten really bummed out and probably annoyed about this, but instead I started singing the small potatoes theme song...




Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Birthday Boy...

"On the day that you were born, the flowers bloomed and the unicorns, danced and sang the whole day long, on the day that you were born."

It's my dad's birthday today...what a special day and what a special dad.  There is no other like him.  Here are Little Miss and him a few years ago. (that's my oldest nephew beside Little Miss)
 And here they are recently.  This picture reminds me of my dad and I when we used to go the Girl Scout Father Daughter dances.  I used to love dancing with dad because he would twirl me around and we would count how many times I could do it...fun memories.  I'm going to have to ask mom to dig up some of those old pictures.
Dad is always there when you need him, especially during the times that can be oh so tough.  He's good like that...
He does anything I ask...in a heartbeat....without complaint.  I'm pretty much a spoiled brat I think.
My kids are so lucky to have him in their lives too.  He's such a great Pepere because he really would still like to be a kid. (wouldn't we all?)
 As I have gotten older, I realize that I am a lot like my dad....I "am my father's daughter", as my mom likes to say.  
Dad, I know sometimes I have gotten embarrassed by your silliness and corny jokes, but really, I'm so very proud to be your daughter.  Thanks for being you...silly jokes and all.  I love you!!!  
Happy Birthday Dad! xo


"Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy!"