A Room with a View

I've been missing out on my favorite blogs......

Been busy. I have a lot of nerve saying that....who hasn't been busy!!

This is my week of vacation time.

Today, I'm sitting by our sliding glass door that exits to our balcony. It's a tad warm no make that hot to be sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and typing. However, I have a room with a view!

My cat, September~ has decided to join me and watch a red throat hummingbird drink from the fresh batch of home made nectar Apple Cheeks and I made yesterday after breakfast.

A pair of chicka-dee's continue to stop by- to see if just maybe the bright red bird feeder that contains liquid- may have been changed to solid seeds. Nope...sorry birdies...I'll stick with the hummingbirds. You need to go over to the next complex there is a woman who is so kind she feeds song birds of every color and size. I'm glad I am not her neighbor- bird phobia!

My view this morning also captures a line trees and in the far far distance I think I can see the Potomac mountain area. It's so hazy .... but I'm sure that is what I'm looking at. In the winter when the trees are not full we can see clearly across the VA- MD boarder.

It's so cool to sit here typing with the bright sunshine pouring into our home.

I feel like this is a vacation home.....

Well, now all I can see is a face with fur. September decided to walk onto my lap and investigate the keyboard. Her hint. It's time for some full attention before everyone else wakes up and smells the short bread baking. Ahhh..... life is good.

I must catch up before the end of my vacation..... I have so many awesome blogs to read and friends to connect with!

Until then..... I hope everyone is enjoying their summer..... vacations..... down time....... and view.

Peace&Love

Stop Hunger Now

More than 25,000 people outside of the United States die each day from hunger and hunger-related causes.

A child dies every 15 seconds because they are severely underweight or lack essential nutrients.

China Doll and I became a part of Stop Hunger Now. This vision is part of our church. CFC in Ashburn used both services as a part of this process. CFC is like a lot of contemporary churches today, we see plenty of casual wear. But today was completely different. We arrived in jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers.... the most comfortable attire to prepare meals to be sent to Nicaragua. Our outreach team is already in Nicaragua working. As the congregation gathered in two separate parts of church today- some were guided into the Gathering Place coffee cafe others were guided into the school gym. There were stations. Each station held 30 pound bags of rice, soy meal and a vitamin packet. Each bag was filled in layers by a team of 4, the bags were placed in shoe box style bins and a "runner" would bring the bins over to another table where there were teams of "weighers" weighed out the bags and handed them off to the "sealer" team. Which this was where China Doll and myself worked using a sealer timing it for about 3 seconds making sure the food packet was secured and ready to be packed into large boxes by yet another team of strong teens and men. Tomorrow the food will head out to be flown to orphanages in Nicaragua. We were told today that 700+ children will eat for one full year!! The goal for today was 285,120 meals.

I've never been a part of something this huge. China Doll and I participated together last Christmas with LW church in wrapping gifts for children of families who were in need. Most of these families were in the city. Since I was no longer a part of the services of displaced families and abused children within the city I felt a calling to help and I recruited my oldest daughter to help. We enjoyed our job and I knew by having my daughter there by my side, she was able to see with her own eyes what type of families/people I was talking about when I worked at the shelter as a caseworker.

And now this year she is older..... more in tune with what is surrounding us not just here in the states but world wide. China Doll even suggested we stay longer to get more meal bags sealed and packed before we headed out for our own food at a local grocery store. We talked about feeling guilty..... complaining about what we don't have in the frig...... or not being able to afford the fresh catch of the day this week. Perhaps she felt a guilty twinge because I did not give her an extra $5 for Starbucks before the "free" concert at Youthfest last evening. MMmmmmm.

No matter what went through her young mind..... I couldn't help but feel good about our work.

Not about me.... not about us.... not about her. But the work we all put into making our goal..... working as a very large team......laughing, shouting at the drum roll......giggles from the kids and cheers at the end of our service. What an awesome service it was!

Pastor P. said as we finished up..... God is looking down with one very large smile.

**Just had to mention that the "runners" were children ages 5 yrs. to 10 yrs. of age. it was pretty awesome to watch them work with such emotion and passion.

Have an awesome week.

Love&Peace

Lis

www.stophungernow.org

www.orphanetwork.org

Back In The Saddle

Hello from Lazy Town VA! I've been unmotivated to do much-loved-motivated stuff recently.

I should try to put into alphabetical order the events that have been taking place in our little world right now...... but those events do not seem so eventful now that I sit here thinking about them. They've only been keeping us busy enough to feel the wonders of falling into Lazy Town.

And now that I think about Lazy Town..... that visit only came and went way too quickly....like most vacations. No we didn't go on vacation...Lazy Town happened right here in VA!

Football Superstar has been busy at work. The DC metro real estate market is keeping him on his toes- yet his career no longer rules him. smile. My summer camp days are fun....but wow am I ready to grab Apple Cheeks and drive home by 4:00! China Doll and Freckle Boy are using their summer days one at a time.

Sam the dog and September the cat are unaware that it is summer .... every moment for them is vacation. I would love to just lay around on the back of the couch all day and wait for someone to meow at because they did not scoop out my Fancy Feast quick enough. Or if I were Sam I would probably...... be in the same position when my family took off for work or the pool when they arrive home at the end of their day. I can't imagine that!

I want to cram so much in this summer. A gal pal weekend with my Gracie. A drive to NJ with my Eva to visit our sister-in-law Dori. Lazy pool days with my girls.

The zoo for Apple Cheeks birthday. Visits to family and friends. A diet. no...scratch that one.

Yoga. yeah...I will commit to getting back into yoga. Finish decorating our cozy pad.

Learning the art of baking delicious and decorating amazing cupcakes. Community outreach.

Finishing my Language Art class. ugh. Taking an art class.

And that's not all..... perhaps I should put my list in alphabetical order. ??

I'm hoping my readers and favorite bloggers are having an awesome summer!

I promise to reconnect soon...... with something worth reading. Until then...I love knowing you are still here. : )

Peace&Love,

Lis

Tapped Out

It's 6:15 AM. On this Sunday morning there is a fine mist in the air with a breeze. I'm tempted to just grab my coffee and sit on the balcony while everyone else sleeps. Oh, Football Superstar is up, but he is preparing another pot of coffee for our guest.

I haven't posted anything for quite some time. I feel "tapped out". My life journal sits in my bedroom with pages full.....but for some reason I just haven't added any words to this blog.

Last evening before I fell asleep I thought about this...... and yesterday as I sat on the balcony soaking up the early morning sun I thought about this...... and here again I think about this.

THIS.

I'm thinking about my friends who are going through some very rough times.

My co-workers who struggle to find themselves.

Those family members who struggle to find a sense of peace or those who set out to conquer success- what success is it that they look for?

Those who try to find a place where they belong.

Football Superstar tells me what they need....what's important.....what matters.

of course I know this. My husband who was not tapped on the shoulder by God but was tackled to the ground as only God could do with a strong ex-football player.

But how do you watch and wait? I'm not a very patient person at times....especially when I feel there are important matters to be dealt with.

The "see-saw approach" to life must be hard. The "waiting the storm out" can not be healthy.

This is why I feel tapped. Yet, I don't want to just stand in the rain waiting with those who are in the storm. I can handle some rain, I have cute wellies to wear.... but I'm not so sure standing in the center of thunder and lightening is something I feel comfortable doing.

Last sip of coffee....I'm heading to the balcony. I think I just answered my own question.

Sometimes it takes the perfect storm to be healed. keeping my wellies by the door.

Thank you Father!

Peace&Love,

Lis

Appreciated + Appreciate = Yummy?

This week is Teacher Appreciation.

Another Hallmark moment?

I remembered this "celebration" for educators.....so Apple Cheeks and I baked chocolate chip cookies and chocolate-cinnamon cookies for her teacher.

I know in the preschool field at times this career can be challenging.... but rewarding. Exhausting!

****

I have been working slowly on my VACDA certificate and my language arts class..... dreaming

of landing a job within the public school district which is a huge district in order to collect some extra perks. tuition reimbursement - health/medical insurance

*****

It's Friday morning- I'm setting up my classroom. I take a good look around at all the adorable bright art work that clings to the four walls. Large daisies. "Rock Families". My little Picasso's. My little darlings who find it hysterical to attack me when my back is turned. My little darlings who can not wait for science and discovery or dramatic play. All this makes my day and makes me smile. But yet, I know my retirement will not be at The Academy.

******

Two hours into my day - one of my little darlings walks proudly to where I sat in the classroom with a box of cupcakes from Lola's. Lola's famous cupcakes will make a strict dieter drool!

This mother then says to me with a rather large smile .... "you have a thankless job, we appreciate you".

********

I felt appreciated. I felt the love. Every last delicious bite!

Happy Teachers Week to you!!

You are appreciated!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all my blogging friends!

Brenda, Lidj, Janette, Emily.....thank you for always making me smile! xoxo

Peace&Love,

Lis

Tears that water flowers

Easter weekend came and went as fast as we packed our suitcases!

It's Monday. My work day was full of crying children who have been off schedule.... too many days in between their week vacation Spring Break for all down South maybe too much Easter excitement for those who celebrate this beautiful holiday.... for those who do not.... probably just too much time away from school. The weather has been very warm.... 87 degrees and rising.

I have a bad case of laryngitis and the kids are taking full advantage of this. My assistant needs to be my voice.... and sadly she doesn't have the gusto to grab their attention like this old gal does!

And through all this, I have been thinking about my visit on Saturday with my Mother. My mother who sits in her dorm room at the nursing facility with her "friends". It has been awhile since I've posted any of my visits with my mother. My mother has Parkinson's disease - with this comes the dementia. There are times where she may know me- even if it is only for a few moments. This weekend she didn't. For my first 30 minutes she slept. Her little frame is frail....her skin so porcelain-like it almost shines......and her hair is completely silver. I know I have said this in another post, but my mother was a woman of style and flair. A polished 5 ft. Diva. Her trademark style of Victorian necklines and pencil thin skirts stick in my head- not to mention the Captivator pumps!

Of course I am thankful that my mother is living and I am able to sit with her....touch her...kiss her soft cheeks. Watch her smile or giggle like a little girl whether she knows me or not.

Or even watch her frown and snarl about the nursing staff who seem to have no manners at all- at least according to mother when she is aware of her surroundings. She would send them all to etiquette school!

What I am missing is our conversation. When I feel at a loss..... I feel my mother knows best..... and when I feel my happiest...... I can not share it with her. completely.

This week I wanted, no make that needed to share something with my mother. Only she would understand and know the exact thing to say to her youngest daughter to set my mind at ease.

Only she could give me that look.... that something she had in her green eyes that spoke volumes to me. She knew me. Of course she did I was her child.....I was the youngest and the most rebellious.

My selfishness mourns for her. I need, yes I need my mother more than she knows right now.

I need to cry to her. I need to be that little girl again having my mother tell me everything will be alright and she loves me. My tears water flowers.

I miss her terribly.

*********************

My reflection on this visit came to me today while I took a short walk outside during my lunch hour. I needed to escape those tiny little villains and even my assistant.

As my thoughts flowed into clouds above my head- just as I have typed above- it occurred to me that I just shared the very thing that was on my mind for days with someone that completely took my words and told me things are going to be okay. God has a plan for me.

God is certainly opening doors, windows, the shutters...... He has given me this person to reach out to...... to be able to pour my heart and soul out to....... and as I sat in her car on Sunday after Easter service...... it was as if I just looked into my mothers green eyes and felt her hug. God has certainly shown me time and time again things. Events. Situations that come and I just don't quite get it at the time- until recent.

Eva.... I love you. And I thank God for placing us together under that large shade tree on the 4th of July.

Do you Love?

I LOVE YOU!

LoVe.

Is this word used to express our emotion overused? I for one am guilty of using the word LOVE to express plenty of things in my life. But I feel that I do know what unconditional love means. I love my husband-unconditional love. I love my children- unconditional love. darn that can be tough during these teens years! ha ha

I love my family-unconditional love. another tough love at moments.

I love my bestest friend. no really I do and Gracie you know it!

I love puppy breath....I love daisies.....I love chocolate like no other human can.......I love the smell of spring time and the crisp autumn breeze......I love Christmastime......I love lavender and rosemary......I love the beach......I love antiques.......

Now that you had an overload of what I LOVE...... you get the picture.

My problem with this word LOVE is that I feel our society uses it entirely too much.

Of course this is only my opinon- I am not the LOVE word expert!

I listen and observe people on a daily basis. I hear "I just LOVE Tom's shoes. so do I but I can't afford them- yet. "I LOVE him, he is so funny!" "I just LOVE so-n-so, she is the nicest person on earth!" this is after the first initial meeting. "I LOVE my job". stop that!

"I LOVE doing nice things for people". truth or dare?

What pushed me to write this post is due to the amount of times a day, week, year I hear LOVE being thrown out into cyberspace.....greeting cards.....phone calls......conversations......etc.

Do we really feel the LOVE? Do we show it enough to that neighbor who bakes your family a casserole when you are sick? Do we show it to the elderly woman who is struggling with the grocery cart- or do you walk directly passed her without assisting? Do we show LOVE to our siblings after a disagreement regarding parents? Do we show it while sitting side by side on the metro with a Muslim? Do we show LOVE to God everyday? Or just when we need God in our lives the most?

I'm guilty of two of the above- I don't show it to my neighbor....their kids drive me crazy. I don't show it to God every single day of my life. LOVE. He was all about LOVE. He is LOVE. Unconditional LOVE.

A community garden of LOVE. I dream this....I see it.....I want to plant this garden right here in the metro community where I live and work. Where my children attend school. Where we shop, eat, walk the dog, greet the mailwoman, attend church. Isn't this what God wants from me? from us? Spread the LOVE and mean it? To show unconditional LOVE at all times.

I LOVE you. No...really I do!

Peace&LOVE

Lis