Background music

A couple of weeks ago my friend Betty and her little girl Delaney came over for breakfast.  Before their arrival I decided to have my playlist on as background music; it is the same playlist I have on this blog.  As Delaney walked into my home she was quiet for a moment then started crying.  Betty and I could not figure out what was going on, so Betty asked her daughter what was the matter.  Delaney answered between sobs, "the music is so sad"  Well if a four year old grasps the sadness on my taste in music, then there is a definite problem.  I have always been melancholy, but I am basically a joyful, sarcastic, funny person.  I logged off the playlist and gave Delaney some chalk and had her go outside and draw on the sidewalk to bring some fun into her little heart, (I also instructed her not to graffiti my house)  The rest of the day turned out quite lovely, but I realized that I have to get some more upbeat music.  So I decided to create a new playlist for background music when friends come over, especially friends whose babies have sensitive hearts like mine.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p14-lNyBovM

The First of Autumn

Today is the first of Autumn.  I love this time of year, always have.  I miss the colors of the East Coast, but the golden colors of Colorado will have to suffice.  There was a road I would drive through in Cape May Court House, NJ.  There were trees on either side, and during the Autumn the firey colors of red, orange, yellow and green were amazing.  I would like to go back next year and visit Cape May, especially in the Fall.  I just might do that.  I need a break from my surroundings for a bit.  It will be.

Have a wonderful Autumn season.  Time to decorate my home with the colors of Fall. 

Goodnight.

Lilia

Prayer and Grace

 Last night before going to bed I decided to give the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" another go.  A year ago my sister, Sylvia and a friend, Jane went to see this movie; at that time I just didn't get it.  I love Julia Roberts as an actress, but I just didn't get the movie.  Well, circumstances of my life have changed and I got the movie last night.  Prayer has always been a very important part of my life, and coming to the Lord with my brokenness, tears, anger, joy, gratitude is the relationship I am grateful to have with my Father, my King.  There are several scenes in this movie where I could not stop crying; the scene where Julie Roberts character is praying in such desperation is one of them.  I was brought to my knees over a month ago on a situation in my life, and a decision that I had to make.  I have had great support from my son, my sister and countless friends who were there when I went through this kind of turmoil eight years ago.  I would not have ever believed I would be going through such a knee jerker to my heart again.  God in his infinite wisdom and faithfulness is holding me up and giving me strength to go on and continue to live my life to its fullest.  And I am grateful.

God is very generous with His grace. I am taking my time with changes in my life, especially positive changes.  I am taking God's grace for healing, growing, loving, laughing and just being me again.  I am accepting His grace.


Thank You Father!

 

Praying scene from "Eat, Pray, Love"

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

Lilia

"Impending Darkness"

22 x 22

Watercolors and Pastels

Harold & Maude

If you have never seen the movie, "Harold & Maude", I would recommend it.  It is not a movie for kids and it deals with some should I say dark comedy/drama. 

My favorite scene in this movie is when Harold is driving with Maude to plant a tree that they took from the city; they are stopped by a motorcycle police officer.  No disrespect to police authority, but it is funny.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.  Enjoy the clip.

 

Police Scene, "Harold and Maude"

 

 

Just keep Swimming

I don't know what is going on with me, but I have been feeling pretty blue lately.  I tried to figure out what is causing such depression, and a friend said it is just all the stuff that we have all been through the last decade, not years, but a freakin decade.   I think trying to be strong has its limits, especially when trying to keep it together while the rest of the family is hurting.  I believe it is my season of just being for the first time, and not being on emotional high alert, it has been taking its toll.  I still remember asking  God to give me the heart and mindset of 100 righteous men.  People take advantage of women, but when women think like men it scares them out of their pants.  I finally had to ask the Lord to take my request back sometime last year.  Especially, the mindset of a man, dealing with people who would take advantage of a hurting family is detestable to me, and a mans mindset sure came in handy.   

There has been a lot of good stuff too.  Nathaniel just graduated high school and is slowly doing his own thing; which I think is great!  I've returned back to school to study art.  Geez, I feel a lot better even writing about this stuff.  When Nathaniel was small he used to say, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" from the movie, "Finding Nemo".  Unfortunately, I am not a good swimmer, so I'll just dog paddle my way out of this blue stage.  Boy, I miss thinking like a man.  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . .

 

 

Just Keep Swimming from "Finding Nemo"

Estate Sales

My family loves Estate Sales.  It is a past time of ours that started in New Jersey.  Yard sales, and flea markets were something my husband and I grew up with; dumpster diving well that is more my husband's thing.

On June 16th, Nathaniel and I attended an estate sale held by Rebecca Nohes.  The sale was held in a store front apartment in Manitou Springs, CO.  Once we walked into the apartment where the estate sale was held, I could not believe my eyes.  The apartment was HUGE!  I LOVE old architecture.  After checking out the rooms in the apartment, the shopping started.  I purchased several items, not high priced, but things I know I would use at home; like a cowbell. 

A lot of the furniture was not over priced and by the end of the first day stuff was being reduced.  By the third day, which Cal and Nathaniel attended they were down to 75% off the small stuff and over 45% off the furniture.  My son said the place was almost picked clean.  Unfortunately, I did not get information on the family that lived there, that is my favorite part of estate sales; who the people were.   

This couple was walking their llamas with their little dog as we were coming into Manitou.   

                                         Can you find Waldo?

 

I found this vase by artist Lynn Loftus

 sitting on the edge of staircase

  

Amber handblown glasses. 

Cowbell

This bottle still had lid. Check out phone number

   

Taking a breather after estate sale

(Thank God Nathaniel is not a dumpster diver. PHEW!!)

                                                                                                               

Final Showdown/Graduation Party

We gave our son, Nate a graduation party on Saturday, May 28th.  It was a GREAT PARTY!!!  Unfortunately, Cal and I were sick as dogs.  We both had the stomach flu; Cal started on Thursday, and I became sick on Saturday morning, 2 a.m.  What a nightmare!  I prayed all night that God would remove the nausea, and He did. 

Thankfully, our beautiful friends, Bonnie and Rose came to the rescue.  They helped prep and grilled the burgers, and Rose made carnitas.  My husband usually tends to the grill, but he relinquished his tongs to Rose. (Now, let's keep it clean)

The turn out was great.  A lot of Nathaniel's old teachers showed up; that was really neat to see.  Many of our friends were there to give Nate their blessings, and he was blessed very well.   Another friend, Nydia made her famous Puerto Rican rice; Nathaniel's favorite.  Everything was just perfect, and it was the first party I did not feel I missed because I would have been running around taking care of stuff.  I actually relaxed.  It was so much fun. 

The next day Nathaniel gave my husband and I some thank you gifts; water bottle for Cal and the Elizabeth Taylor magazine for me.  Nate said he really enjoyed the party and was glad my husband and I felt well enough to enjoy it too.  Unfotunately, Cal and I didn't eat, okay I had a piece of cake.  I wasn't dying . . .

Now!  What to do with all the leftover hambuger buns?!

Graduation cake made by Sam's.  It was GOOD!!!

Nydia's famous Puerto Rican rice; Nathaniel's favorite

Rose at the grill.   What a great cook!

        

                                                        Nate's 2nd grade teacher

They look pretty guilty about something, don't they?

(Cake . . . little fingers)

  

 Transient who came off the alley

We love these people

I did not say anything to her mom about fingers in the cake

I did . . .

Graduation Day

                     Nathaniel's Graduation Day
  CLASS of 2011

  COUGARS IN
   THE HOUSE
 

May 25, 2011 was Nathaniel's high school graduation.  I cannot believe how fast it went.  First, my son graduated 30 years to almost the day from my graduation of 1981.  How stinking old does that make me feel?!  Very old!  My husband and I were talking earlier about when Nathaniel first went into kindergarten, and how I followed the school bus to make sure he was delivered to school safely.  There were other moms who were following the bus too; I was not the only psycho.  We have encouraged Nathaniel to pursue his dreams, though he has many, most artist do.  I know he will be alright with whatever endeavor he decides to take.  We will continue praying daily that God would give him favor and strength as he goes out into the world to find his way.

CONGRATULATIONS to our son NATE!!

Kissing Camels, tarnish and chicken salad

The beauty of Garden of the Gods; Kissing Camels. 

Back in 2000 after our plans for overseas missions fell through.  We decided to take our Nomad butts to Colorado.  We had nothing waiting for us in New Jersey anymore.  We had sold all our possessions, quit our jobs and said goodbye to our church.  It was time to go, time to start a new adventure in another state.  We needed to know what God had in plan for us.  We lived in a hotel for a week, determined to find a rental within that week; and we did.  Flew back to New Jersey, picked up the remnants we had placed in a small storage unit, drove back to Colorado, found jobs and have been in a constant roller coaster ride since.  We didn't think we would be staying in Colorado, thought about staying in Texas, but why?!  I believe we had to come to Colorado never realizing that we would be going through the Refiner's Fire.  We are still being polished so God's reflection can be clear to everyone we meet.

There were many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, but I met some very loving and wonderful people in Colorado.  People, who were strong in the Lord and had gone through the difficulties of life with grace and a plate full of chicken salad.  I realized that we are given choices on how we want to live and who we want in our lives to love.  It took me a long time, but my choice became very clear who I was going to serve and who would see me and family through the bad choices we had made and trials we had to go through.  I am writing to encourage whoever reads this posting; tarnish eventually comes off and we can either make chicken shit or chicken salad with our lives.  I personally love Chicken Salad!

Prom

May 6, 2011 was prom for my son's high school.  It was nice to see Nathaniel all dressed up for such a fun event.  Before any of prom festivities begun we had some drama.  Nathaniel had asked a friend to prom in April and she agreed to go with him.  About two weeks before prom she had to cancel with my son because she had forgotten that she had accepted an invitation from another boy in the beginning of the school year; naturally Nathaniel did not have any desire to attend the prom.  Well, as things go in the high drama of high school, this young lady let my son know that she was available to go to prom with him, (the other guy bailed out).  Nathaniel was on cloud nine again; the expenses began . . . but it was worth it according to my son.  Nathaniel was on a tight budget and he was truly blessed by a wonderful florist who works in Safeway.  Nathaniel and his date had a great time at the prom and then again at the after prom party. 

Nate and his date on prom night May 6, 2011