The Joy of Brownies and Half Pints...

Today I babysat my almost two year old niece and it was awesome! First of all, Dad, I get it, she is so way cuter than me. I give in to that fact. After a morning of playing pretty much anything she wanted to play we began to prepare lunch. I can't cook much, however, I am the Master of Mac & Cheese. And she is my perfect little audience. I asked her how that sounded and her beautiful eyes lit up and she said "o.k." ! And she proceeded to drag her little princess throne chair into the kitchen, angled it along side me ( at a safe distance from the stove of course) and happily cheered me on as I made her lunch. And I have never seen anyone get so excited at the point where you add the cheese and milk ( except maybe for me....) and it brought all this JOY to my heart!

After the mac n cheese delicioso lunch of fabulosity, I asked what she wanted to do next. " Nap?!" she inquired with that " I'm almost a 2 yr old" inquisitive look.... " Why of course!!! What more perfect way to top off the mac n cheese lunch than with a sippy cup of milk and a fine siesta???" I asked of her. And o my gosh... there they were.. the dreaded Furrowed Brows! WHAT???? How can SHE have the furrowed brow trait when that originates in my husbands family??? Bizarre...... after my breathing returned to normal I realized she simply thought me crazy as she understood not one word of my conversation with her!!! My bad.... I am used to holding complete conversations with my dogs and they totally understand EVERY word. But HOW PRESUMPTUOUS of me to just take it for granted that my baby niece would also understand!

Anyhow, once I resolved this conflict in my own head, I happily got her milk,my water and we settled into my brother, Matts, reclining chair. She quickly snuggled in and fell asleep. And, P.S. did i mention she's a complete little Angel-baby half pint??? OK, I may be a liiitle biased as she's my niece; but honestly, she's every babysitters dream kid. She's mellow, self entertaining and completely adaptable. Which, when you think about it, are all things that will help her greatly when she is ready to for school, high school and then college. And then ready to join the workforce.... she's a shoe in!!!!

I digress, as usual.... where was I?? O ya, point being it reminded me just how much we adults can learn from a child. We often times forget in the harry carry world of work, economic collapse, worrying about the end of the world, etc..... to take time to see our lives through the eyes of a child. My Angelena is my new center. My new "Just Breathe". My refocus reinforcement!!!! It was great timing what with my being out of work and all and hubby trying to foot ALL the bills on his own. Needless to say there has been quite a bit of stress on both of us; I have been desperately searching for a job, but it takes time.

The other thing my niece reminded me of was Dance as if Nobodys Watching.....which we waaay did.... although I believe I caught a look of embarrassment from Angelbaby as I was really letting loose to Footloose... Really??? my 2 yr old niece, embarrassed by moi???? Sigh.... they grow up way too fast!!!

When she woke up from her nap, we decided to make home made brownies for when her dad, mom and sister got home from wk/school. So we did. And after that batter was poured into the bowl we took one spoon each, squatted down to the kitchen floor and preceded to happily lick those spoons! In the end I don't know who had the most frosting on their face! But I certainly know who had the most joy in her heart. ME. All from hanging out with a child and remembering the right way to embrace life!

So there you have it. Try to make some time to see our life thru the eyes of a child.... you'll be amazed at what u find!!!!

In the meantime, Heres to You, Mr I Package the Brownie Ingredients To Make Kids Happy Guy!!! You're a Real Man of Genius!

Hug A Kid You Love!

Just A Thought for the DAy....

No story for today really. Just looking through my notebooks and found this. It was too good to leave hiding between those pages:

" I learned that the measure of life is revealed in the Quality of our

relationships: with God, our families, our fellow men. I've learned

that the greatest threat to love is Not Circumstance but the Abscence

of attention. For we do not neglect others because we have ceased to

to Love; Rather, we cease to love others because we have neglected

them. I've learned that each day is a miracle Unearned. I've learned

that while life is ephemeral-- a vapor-- Love IS NOT. In short, I have

learned What Matters and What Does Not."

-- unknown

Just something to think about I guess. I believe we all get so caught up in the craziness of life we need to remember what's truly important. This was an A-Ha moment for me.... just wanted to share.....

Hug someone you love.....

BIG BUCKS NO WHAMMIES!!

I am not ashamed to say that I read ALL THE TIME. My husband says that makes me a nerd. Well, duh! Husband reads also, but strictly on computer only. I love to hold the book. And whiff the pages as I turn them. And highlight favorite parts... well, you get the idea.

So, it was to my abject HORROR that he suggested we sell some books back to Hastings. What? Not the books. I'm having anxiety, heart is pounding. Mouth is dry and I think I need to put my head between my knees. Isn't that what you do when you think you're going to pass out?

Not that I don't have plenty. I could honestly fill a room with the books I have, Maybe two actually.... And Husband is turning our third bedroom into a library for me. But since I'm out of work we have to be extra careful with the mulah.

Which brings me right back to the dreaded topic. O.K., I'm thinking, no problem.. It would take me Forever to re-read them. So I bravely pull one off the shelf. Damn. Not that one, it's Into the Wild. Love the movie, love the book. It's a life lesson book. True story all that. Yep. Keeping it. As you can imagine it went back and forth like this for awhile. Husband is off this week so he is annoyingly close by, for support he says. Which I'm sure is really true. But still. HOVERING! I bravely soldier on. We end up filling two big recyclable bags FULL. Thats it. Done. First step. As we are headed to the Jeep I have a horrible attack of conscience. Wait. " I can't sell these Daniel!" He looks at me, brows HALF Furrowed. " What do you mean." calmly. " I always donate them to the library for all of the people with no money who want to read a good book. And I have good books. I mean, great books, actually..." Husband calmly, " You are one of the people with no money right now. You do use the library." Me, " Exactly, and I want to give back." Husband is now clearly vexed. " O.K. I support your humanitarianism. Normally. But not today. First let's see what we can sell." I take a HUGE trembling breath. "O.K. but any that they don't take we donate." Yes! We did it! We made a deal. And now... to Hastings.

That first day we made $23.00 off of 10 books they accepted. The girl explained the kind of books they do and do not accept. No prob. I happily brought all the other books to the library where I could visit them anytime. I am feeling very good about this deal. And I had 23 bucks in my pocket. Free Money!!

So we went home and I filled the bag again with the correct kind of books. This trip brought us $55.00. Big Bucks. No Whammies!!

Free money. A lesson learned in letting go of things. Compromise. And still able to donate. I'm in.

So, have to run. Hubby and I are headed to a different Hastings with a new load of books.

Have a great day. And, hey, read a book!

The Franciscan Friars and the Function of Finesse

Some of my best friends in the wold are a little group of Franciscan Friars. They are cool. And I mean C-O-O-L. Their order is based on Padre Pio ( who happens to be my favorite EVER).... the awesome priest who received the stigmata, and whose body even today after all these years of death remains incorrupt. My mom ) who is somewhat of a scholar in matters all things religious) and Fr. Conrad were just saying yesterday that it is said that when you see his dead body it is as if he is sleeping and would awake at any minute and get ready to go about his day. Amazing. Anyway, I was raised Catholic but at the age of 16 I had too many questions and turned to christianity. I attended Calvary until I was 31. I still held a lot of things from my Catholic upbringing very dearly.

So, these guys.... it's awesome. They are young and they know how to communicate with young people and I feel like I just have a bunch more brothers. Which I guess I really do! With the added bonus of them putting in a good word with the Big Guy upstairs. They are not pushy or preachy or overbearing. They are not arrogant. They have taught me the very important lesson of humbleness and humility. They live among the poor and beg for food and whatever else they may need to survive day to day. Thats HUGE. Can you imagine living like that ? No T.V. , no cable no x-box or PS3. No movies. No music ( except for the catholic music they have). No comfy recliners or couches. No nice mattress. They sleep on wood beds on the floor. And they are doing their best to save my soul! Ha ha. Now THATS a challenge of the grandest kind. I mean really... they have their hands full here.

I love to joke with them about how brave they are to keep company with the likes of ME. I am emotional and stubborn and can be very confrontational. Leave it to me to get a few of them in trouble for keeping them out too late.... thats one for the books. This is the story:

So, they are allowed to go to peoples house as long as they are invited. So one night we all had dinner at my moms ( because she is the greatest cook EVER next to my little bro) and were hanging out. And i simply mentioned they were welcome to come over and watch a movie before they went home. SO Fr Joe and Bros Phillip and Sebastian were thinking that sounded cool.... I VAGUELY remember Fr Leo saying that another night would be better, but everyone was talking and the night rolled on. As I went out to leave I discovered that the back tire on my Jeep was completely and utterly flat and I had no functioning spare. I went back in to figure it out and Bro Phillip and Fr Joe said they could take me home it was no problem. OK; Innocent enough right? I didn't think I was disobeying orders. But..... lots of times I don't think. Which always gets me in trouble. Hence the reason it will be so very very hard for them to save my soul. I mean, I was planning on riding my moms coat tails right thru the pearly gates so fast that good ol St Peter would never ever even realize I set up residence in a Winnebago in Heaven with my 7 animals and my husband.......

O.K.; so we get home and I'm showing them around our little house. And we happen to have lots of cool movies. And Blu-Ray and a big flatscreen T.V.. I also had a couple of Coronas in the fridge... ya ice cold. So Fr Joe noticed we had the Matrix box set. And I guess he likes them and they do look REALLY AWESOME on that T.V. in high def and everything.... sooooo I know you see what's coming. We popped it in and we had a beer ( it was just the three of them and me) and personally I was glad to have the company as I am a horrible insomniac and Daniel goes to bed at like 10 pm on work nights on account of he has to be up before the butt crack of dawn to be at work for his 12 hour shifts!

What I forgot was that those movies are pretty long. Ya. But everyone was having a good time and they were ministering to my need for company and I was giving drinks to the poor ( just like Jesus says if you feed the poor and give them drink you are feeding me... or something like that. ya, no finesse here...) so it was kinda like they were evangelizing me...... are you buying this yet??

Anyway, the movie ended and it was late. And they still have to get home. But the good news was they live only about 10 minutes from my house! The bad news is I suck at giving directions. :-( They got home really late....

So the next day Bro Phillip called to say hi and see what was up. So I asked him how much trouble was I in ? He laughed and said everything was fine; but i knew we must not have made Fr Leo very happy and I felt horrible about it. I mean they have strict rules they live by and here M.C. the devious swoops in and says " Go ahead just one bite of the apple, it will allow you ENDLESS movie viewing ( wink wink nudge nudge...)" .

Turns out every thing was fine but I knew that I had disappointed Fr Leo and I felt like when I was 12 and helped my best friend cheat on an English test and it's just like I had disappointed my own father ( which I hate to do more than anything in the world.) I would rather be banished to the ends of the earth than to cause my father disappointment. And thats how this felt.

However, in my defense, THEY are big boys. C'mon, they coulda just said no, right??? But we really wanted to hang out.... it was so much fun. And I have heard on more than one occasion that I can be very persuasive... I, myself, don't see it but hey, thats kinda a cool " talent " if in fact I do have it.

The point I'm trying to make is that are regular dudes. They are like your brother or your cousin or your best friend. They get it. They get life. They have been through it and are going through it. They can identify and testify; can I get an AMEN?! I believe lots of young people who are familiar with Catholicism relate everything to the back in the day way things were done. Which weren't wrong; just things may have been lost in translation. Things may not have been presented in such a way that they made sense and caused the A-HA factor. I know because I am that generation and I did walk away from the Catholic church. Even now I'm not back " all the way" but I am listening and learning and God blessed me with these guys who can explain very competently and who can answer any question under the sun about the catholic faith. And they listen. And they are patient. And gentle and kind. And non judgemental And they can put up with ME ! I mean thats HUGE!!!!! They have taught me humility and what self sacrafice really is. They live it, after all. And on top of all that they are witty and humorous and fun loving. The total package.

So, heres to You Mr I Will Serve God at any Cost and No Matter What Men: You Are Real Men of Genius.

And that my friends, is true Finesse in Action.

So, hey guys, whens our next movie night.......

Small Fry and the Angry Hornet

So, I was sweeping the front porch yesterday afternoon feeling all domestic and like I was being such a good little wife. The dog crew were hanging around keeping me company, which made me feel slightly better about the fact that I was talking to myself and laughing out loud at my own comments.....

I must first fill you in on the fact that, yes, another little lost pup found it's way to my house. These two little boys had found her and were scouring the neighborhood literally ALL afternoon. From like noon to 7 pm trying to find "Small Frys" home. To no avail. By the time they approached me they were clearly ready to be done with their noble task. So I felt it was my duty to relieve the young squires from their plight. I walked into the bedroom where super hubby was relaxing after a long day of work and this is what I heard, before I even opened my mouth; " Absolutely Not. Take it somewhere, anywhere, just NOT HERE!!!" OMG. This was a serious Furrowed Brow Issue. So we negotiated 2 days of asylum for small fry while I tried my hardest to get her a good home. Which I can honestly say I did. I brought her to the clinic and scanned her for a microchip. No luck. Then my super tech friend Matt took pics of her with the digital camera and spread the word at work. No one could take her although many wanted her. fast forward to the the THIRD day. I walked into the bedroom during Bill O Reilly ( fox news master extrodinaire; next to Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck...) and what to my wondering eyes should appear? But a little small fry and a big gentle bear. Yep, you guessed it. Daniel had been sucked in to loving the pooch. She was curled up at his side and he had his arm around her and they were both asleep! The Lion laying down with the lamb! Amazing.

So thats how Small Fry has become our new addition, She is adorable and unusually calm for a puppy of 8 wks. I have already given her her first puppy shot. And the rest of the animal family took her in like they knew, of course, that she needs them.

And here is where the Hornet story comes about. So, to continue the drama... I was sweeping away when i hear these little puppy yelps. I turn to assess the situation and see Small Fry biting crazily at her back leg and paw. And. Then. I. Hear. The. Buzzing. And I SPRING INTO IMMEDIATE ACTION. O , I WILL save my littlest baby. I run over and start waving the broom madly in the general direction of the flying insect terror; ( brilliant, I know.) Suddenly, I am attacked by what seemed to be three or four wasps but turned out to be 2. And the stinging. For the love of God! I was stung four times and MAN it BURNS and STINGS and Itches. At this point I am dancing wildly around the front yard slapping at my hip, leg and arm and can only imagine what the neighbors are thinking as they observe the crazy chic across the street. Some things just can't be done justice by mere words. But it must have truly been a hilarious sight. I run inside with all the animals and the buzzing won't stop. Make it stop please stop the buzzing. And they are biting again and this time it's my head. What the.... I start shaking my hair out and scratching and the last Hornet Warrior takes a nose dive.

Shew.... it's over. But o my the PAIN!!!!! By this time I had a huge welt on my arm and two huge welts on my hip. and I couldn't find my benadryl. Of course. Murphys law. So I drove to my best friend in the worlds house ( Linda the Great) and she doctored me up and sent me home with some just in case I never found mine. Have I told u lately that I love you Scminders???!!! I DO ! Good thing I had it because I discovered as soon as I got home and checked on her, the whole right side of her face was swollen so huge her eye wouldn't open. Great. I'm a horrible mom. I quickly gave her half a benadryl in cheese and made sure to monitor for any symptoms of distress. But small fry turns out to be a fighter and not even the benadryl slowed her down from doing those great puppy things like chewing random stuff, antagonizing her brother and sister. Terrorizing the cats. Licking the nearest person to her to death..... as i watched her doing all this i breathed a sigh of relief, and finally sat down to relax.

SO.....Heres To You Mr I MaKe the Benadryl and Save Puppies Lives Guy: Your a Real Man of Genius......

And so, we all made it through one more day and if you ask me, that means things are great!

Until the next Havey-Martinez family adventure; hug someone you love and have a great day.....