I got a Kick out of this!

These are e-mails from and to, my Aunt Deb and I

Hi There,

I just wanted to say hello and thank you for commenting on my blog, Yes I am Sweet Expressions, I hope that you will continue to read or comment as I plan on doing so to yours and Diandra's.

You both inspired me to do so and it has been a great help and it came at a time when I really needed it. So I hope you don't mind.

Yes, Rob is in my prayers and heart on a daily basis, I love the little updates he sends when he can, I also have Nessa in my prayers and heart. For I can relate being a military wife and the husband gone to duty.

Anyway, you and your family is as well in my heart and prayers and I hope that sometime we can visit each other, I miss you a lot.but until then I do so enjoy reading your blog and diandra's too.

big hug and kiss to you

Love

Aunt Debs

Deb!!
You are so funny! I have to tell you, this is so funny. Back when Diandra posted her "weight scale," I noticed that the first comment was a commenter that I had not noticed before. I went to the her profile, (being protective) then clicked on her blog. Scanned over it really quick. Noticed that she had not any comments. Hmmm. Seemed nice. Fairly new blogger. Told Diandra, to make sure she checks her out. She did. Days go by.
Then I get a comment on my "Memorial Day," post. Was very touched that someone was daily praying for my son. I thought, reading the comment, that it seemed personal, as if they might know us. Checked your profile, didn't think anything, then went to your blog. Noticed the "garden poem," I thought that 'I have read that before. I think that you sent it to me, or Genie.' I think that I even saved it. Didn't think anything. I commented.
After I got home from work, I thought maybe you would have answered my question on where abouts you lived. Noticed that you posted another post. Read it. Didn't think anything. Commented. I did notice that I felt VERY comfortable with this blogger. giggle. That caught me off guard and made me feel uncomfortable. Three hours go by and I make myself a sandwich, sat down. Started going through my mind about your last post... POP! That is DEB!!!!! Jumped from the chair, called Jess. Asked her if you had a blog. She said "NO, not that she knew of." I told her everything. Told her to go to your site. She read, and said "Yes, that is you." Started busting up laughing. We noticed that you had some comments. Clicked to see who it was. And low and behold! It's my Dee Dee. Jess really started to laugh. She asked me if Diandra knew that it was you. I said "No." CrAzy! Jess, read what Diandra commented on your "Inspiration" post. I was so touched that My sweet Grandma and I were compared in the same way, without Diandra even knowing. Brought tears to my eyes. Grandma passed away when I was pregnant with Diandra. I waited for Diandra to get home from Dance, asked her how come she didn't tell me about commenting on your blog. She said "She didn't comment on your blog. She said that you had mentioned that you had one, but that was it. she didn't know where your blog was or anything, you didn't tell her that."
Without Diandra and I knowing that it was you, my dear aunt. Feeling right away, there was a connection. That is pretty neat!

I do have to tell you though, I told Jess not to tell you that I knew that it was you. I was going to have fun with this. I checked my e-mail and you had written me telling me about your blog. LOL!!

I love you Deb!! I am so happy that you have a blog! Woo hoo!
Hey! You are an awesome writer! And you have the perfect title for your Blog! Love it!

Love you
Angela

NOTE** If any of you get a chance and want to meet someone who is a sweetie... You will come to see how genuine, kind, and what a positive attitude she has and it will rub off on you. You will come to love her as much as I do. You won't regret it! So be sure to check her out. (The older one in the pic's is my Dad's little sister, an aunt in whom I adored and look up to!) You can catch her here at expressions!

DOUBLE NOTE** If you notice my little sister's expression's (cracks me up every time I see these photo's) she hated the sun in her eyes. Also later, we discovered that she needed glasses. In just about every picture outside, she has this silly look on her face! I just want to kiss her!

Life is a bowl full of ....

When my Great Gram was still with us, I would go to visit her once a week, usually every Tuesday. She looked forward to these visits as much as I did. I can remember going into the house and she would have even put on lip stick. I would take her on whatever errands she had to do. From visit to visit, she would make me and the kids the best lunches. I would tell her not to make such a fuss over us, but she explained that she loved to try new recipes and it just didn't mean as much doing it for herself. She was the only one to get me to try different foods like spiced canned peaches, home made sauerkraut, and iced coffee, just to name a few.

One visit, she had a Blue Willow bowl full of cherries. Gram had mentioned she had seen it in a magazine and loved the color of the cherries contrasting with the blue. She had the magazine page ready to show me. She said she had the cherries sitting in the bowl since yesterday and wouldn't eat one, because once you start eating them you can't stop. She wanted to share what she had seen. As she grinned, she said "Now, we can eat them!"

When Cherry season rolls around, I can not resist putting cherries in a Blue Willow bowl. Each time I do, I can still see the smile on her face from so many years ago.

A Friend ~

Saturday I had a chance to meet with a fellow blogger. Her name is Annie. We discovered that we lived 10 minutes away from each other. Wanda and I met her here in Hughson at our ever-so-famous, small diner, Hamilton's, where farmers gather for breakfast or a hot cup of coffee and kids go to after school lets out, for a hamburger, fries and a soda.

I have to say, I was a little nervous meeting Annie, for this was my first time getting together with another blogger. One minute into our meeting, I felt at ease with her. At times I felt as if it was all so surreal. I knew things about her in a personal way from reading her blog, yet I was meeting her for the first time. It felt as if I was getting together with a friend. I found her to be kind, warm hearted and delightful.

Our visit was full of questions and answers. We laughed and got teary eyed, as we shared some of our mutual insecurities. We talked about her self discovery and what a journey it has been. As we exchanged small gifts, we already planned to meet again.

Memorial Day

Remembering...

Red, white and blue
For those we knew
Who marched off to war.
We honor them now
And show them how
Their bravery we can't ignore.



Heroes of war,
They were so much more,
Father and brother and friend.
Flags at half mast
For those of the past
To whom our gratitude we send.



We place flowers on the graves
Of those who were brave,
We salute them far and wide.
Seeing poppies galore
While our hearts soar,
remembering proudly those who have died.

Jessica F., 3rd Grader, Academy Elementary School, Madison, Connecticut.

~ I have always had an understanding what Memorial Day stood for. This year, it has a deeper meaning for me. I was thinking about all of the mother's whose son's or daughter's didn't come home after serving in the war and what this day truly means to them. I don't feel like having a B-B-Q and "celebrating" in the usual manner. My son Rob is in Kuwait right now... He is one of the brave one's. I can't help but wonder what he is doing, as we gather around the table giving thanks. What will he be eating for dinner? Where his mind is right now? Out of the many questions I have right now, I do know this... My heart has swelled with pride and admiration, I am so proud of him!

I am so tired!

Saturday morning ~ need to get gift for Kiersten's baby shower at 1:00. Everyone meeting for dinner at Kiersten's house. Jessica and kids are down for shower!

Sunday ~ go grocery shopping for "Family Dinner Night," before Jessica and the kids come over before they head back home. Straighten house. Make dinner. Everyone will be here at 5:30. Don't forget to set alarm for 4:15 A.M.

Monday - Friday ~ My week to cover for Sharon at work.

Monday ~ after work, Maytag coming to put new motor in Washing machine.

Tuesday ~ after work, pick up groceries for surprise retirement party for Billie. Make 3 dishes of food. Tie up loose ends with Cindy for party.

Wednesday ~ after work, go home, pick up food. Wait for Billie to leave, to set up for party. Pick up Billie for Party at 4:00. Clean up.

Thursday ~ This week is not over yet and I am so tired!

To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal,
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and when the time comes to
let it go,
to let it go.

~ Mary Oliver

Something that brings me JoY *

You can take the girl away from the ocean...
But you can't take the ocean out of the girl!!

I have collected shells as far back as I can remember. They can be perfect or broken, bought or found on a treasure hunt. It doesn't matter to me. You can walk through my house and you will see sea shells placed somewhere in each room.

I started accumulating so many sea shells, I decided long ago to do something with them. I have made some wreathes with my sea shells and have them placed here and there: in a bathroom, on a gate, or on the inside of my door.

You will find a wreath on my front door at all times. I change them according to the season. This wreath I made years ago and stays on my door the longest. I get excited every time I get it out. I had to mend it before putting it on my door this season.

wreathe I am mending for my front door

Every wreathe that I make is unique and one of a kind. I never know what the end result will be.

Just try it! ~ Okay... some of them!

40
Little
Ways
to Feel
Happier
Every
Day

1. Count your blessings

2. Comb your child's hair... if you don't have one, borrow one.

3. Make a pan of brownies - lick the spoon.

4. Go to a golf range and drive a bucket of balls.

5. Stop and let merging traffic in ahead of you. Smile and wave them in.

6. Tape ten of your favorite photos to your kitchen cabinets.

7. Whisper to your spouse, "I can't believe how lucky I am to have found you!"

8. Work in your garden.

9. Write a note of appreciation to a favorite teacher you had years ago. Tell her what a positive influence she had on your life.

10. Surprise your partner with a graceful bouquet of fresh-cut tulips.

11. Make an anonymous donation to your favorite charity.

12. Play checkers with a youngster, let him win.

13. Reread your favorite book.

14. Go to a garage sale. Buy three things that cost less than a dollar each.

15. Read the Sunday paper in a hammock. Then take a nap.

16. Enjoy tomato soup and a toasted cheese sandwich.

17. For 24 hours refrain from saying anything sarcastic or negative.

18. Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.

19. Show a new friend pictures of your kids.

20. Watch a little league baseball game.

21. Prepare one of your grandmother's best recipes, then call and thank her.

22.Give someone a back rub.

23. Have someone give you a back rub.

24. Watch I love Lucy reruns.

25. Go grocery shopping for a shut-in.

26. Volunteer to work in a soup kitchen.

27. Take a brisk 30-minute walk.

28. Make yourself some cinnamon toast.

29. Take your best friend to lunch.

30. Stop and read a historical marker.

31. Lie on your back to look at the stars.

32. Put a loving note in your child's lunchbox.

33. Leave a small flowering plant on a co worker's desk.

34. Skip stones across a creek.

35. Get your car washed.

36. Ask for sprinkles on your cone.

37. Buy a loved one an unexpected gift and wrap it beautifully.

38. Stop and buy fresh vegetables from a roadside stand.

39. Ask your parents to tell you again how they first met.

40. Slow-dance with someone you love.

By H. Jackson Brown Jr. author of Life's little Instruction Book.

Happy Feet!

Okay! I just had to post this. It may not mean anything to anybody but me. These pretty feet are my mom's. The day before Mother's Day my little sister, Kiersten, took my mom to get her very first pedicure. She asked me if I wanted to go in on this gift with her and I declined because I didn't think it was going to go real smooth. Let me explain... long ago my mom stubbed her toe, and lost her toe nail. It never grew back the same color. My mom will only wear a dark wine color nail polish in hopes that NO ONE will EVER see her toe nail. Let me add, that all of her daughter's give her a bad time about this color because we are sick of seeing it. I can't even wear this color without hearing groans from my daughter.

I was meeting my family at church Mother's Day morning, and the first thing I did was check out my mom's feet. She did it!! I was so proud of her! I told her I had to get a picture and she just said, "Oh Angela! Don't be silly!" I got my picture and what do you know, her feet were so thrilled they posed for me!

Do you feel good in your friendship?

A loyal
friendship.

There are people who
take the heart out of you,
and there are people who
put it back. ELIZABETH DAVID

*~* Happy Mother's Day *~*

MY MOTHER'S GARDEN

Her heart is like her garden,
Old-fashioned quaint and sweet,
With here a wealth of blossoms,
And there a still retreat.
Sweet violets are hiding,
We know as we pass by,
And lilies, pure as angel thoughts,
Are opening somewhere nigh.

Forget-me-knots there linger,
To full perfection brought,
And there bloom purple pansies
In many a tender thought.
There love's own roses blossom,
As from enchanted ground,
And lavish perfume exquisite
The whole glad year around.

And in that quiet garden~
The garden of her heart~
Songbirds are always singing
Their songs of cheer apart.

And from it floats forever,
O'ercoming sin and strife,
Sweet as the breath of roses blown,
The fragrance of her life.

ALICE E. ALLEN

*~* The Maypole Dance *~*

The timeless tune of "The Maypole Dance" once again echoed sweetly across the blacktop at Fox Road Elementary. The occasion was the school's 27th annual May Pole Dance Festival.

Dressed in their Sunday best, numerous Fifth-graders danced around the May Pole at this annual rite, which is practically unique to Hughson this day and age. This event that everyone looks forward to, brought many memories back of all four of my children dancing around this May Pole.

Poetry Reading~

Ode to the Sea
Pablo Neruda

Here
Surrounding the island
There's sea.
But what sea?
It's always overflowing.
Says yes,
Then no,
Then no again,
And no,
Says yes
In blue
In sea spray
Raging,
Says no
And no again.
It can't be still.
It stammers
My name is sea.

It slaps the rocks
And when they aren't
convinced,
Strokes them
And soaks them
And smothers them with
kisses.

With seven green tongues
Of seven green dogs
Or seven green seas,
Beating its chest,
Stammering its name,

Oh Sea,
This is your name.
Oh comrade ocean,
Don't waste time
Or water
Getting so upset
Help us instead.
We are meager fishermen,
Men from the shore
Who are hungry and cold
And you're our foe.

Don't beat so hard,
Don't shout so loud,
Open your green coffers,
Place gifts of silver in our
hands.
Give us this day our daily
fish.

Possibilities

Each person represents
a world in us, a world
possible not born until
they arrive, and it is only
by this meeting that a
new world is born. ANAIS NIN

Making a
new friend.

The Omaha Old Market place

While visiting with Rob and Vanessa, Rob wanted to show us The Old Market place in Omaha. He explained it to me like it had the feel of Old Sacramento here in California.... I found it to be bigger and a little haunting, caught in a time that is lost but definitely still there. As I was walking down the sidewalks, I thought about the days when this downtown area was full of the hustle and bustle of a growing, expanding city and full of excitement. I could have walked down the same sidewalk, touched the same railing going into a shop, pushed the same door as Fred Astaire, Nick Nolte, Dorothy McGuire, Marlon Brando, Malcom X, Henry Fonda, and Montgomery Clift!

Everywhere you looked you could see the way the buildings were built, carvings everywhere, and faded paint on the bricks of the buildings. One day was not enough to see this town.

There were restaurants, cafes, antiques, galleries, art, old horse-drawn buggies, and boutiques. People were sitting outside, reading the paper or a book, and drinking a beverage of their choice. Beautiful people enjoying the sun and one another. I love watching people and find them so interesting.

Rob wanted to take us to a Thomas D. Mangelsen Gallery. The photos were of his latest book The Natural World. I thoroughly enjoyed this and appreciated his photos. Gorgeous!

We also went to a famous Ice cream shop called Ted & Walley's that only served it homemade style. Yum-O! We also went into several antique shops and saw antiques dating back farther than the 50s or 60s. This is primarily what you see here in California now. It was a good thing we came by plane; Charlie had already picked out a piano among other huge items. I had a door picked out. As we were walking around admiring the antiques and how they were made, Rob and I discovered that Nessa was not all that fond of antiques. Uh-oh! Rob loves antiques. We would go to the flea market when he was little and he would spend his allowance on old marbles, cars, etc. As Charlie and I were walking within a particular antique store, I turned around to find Rob and Nessa engaged in a serious discussion regarding their differences in taste. It was cute! Charlie mentioned all the antiques Rob has stored up in our attic. They will work it out. smile~


This was set up between two old buildings with restaurants and entries to bohemian shops!










This old Book store was calling "Angela... come in here!"


This whole row was lined up with poem books alone!




Omaha's very own "one man orchestra," like Neil on Star's Hollow from Gilmore Girls!












The Buildings do need a good spraying down!


Huge home made Ice cream makers at Ted & Wally's


The Beautiful Nessa~


Robert giving me a smile~

One day at a time~

A day at a time

One day at a time
is all we need
to take each step
into the uncharted future.
Such space makes room
for all eventualities,
supplies a thread to hold together
the present and the past.
Though shadowed
with uncertainty
we journey on
in the strength of
One who is
unbound by change
yesterday, today,
for ever.

~Robert Dunlop

I know I have been quiet. I know where it stems from... coming back from my visit with my babies. Come to think of it, maybe even before that. It is evident through the poems Rob has been sending me, that he is doing a lot of thinking of good times from the past. I have been posting them with his permission of course. It helps me as well as Rob to see them on the screen. He is going to Kuwait this coming Wednesday A.M. He will be staying 24 miles from the Iraq border in a tent camp.
We have only been separated when he was growing up by the mission trips he would take during the summer. There was danger only once during one of them to Mexico. Yes, we are separated now with states between us. We have also had the luxury of cell phones and computers. This is different.
As I left his home, I held his face in my hands and told him "I loved him." I walked away not really knowing if I would ever see that beautiful face again or the smell of the scent of him. There is no guarantee. I realize we never have guarantees if we will see our loved ones again. That is why we should live each moment as if it were our last. We don't know what is going to happen. It is life. I know this... I also know where he is going. Lets face it... it is in a war zone. I have had a heaviness in my heart. There is a weight on my shoulders. As much as I try to give it to God....

Thanking Him in advance for His protection over Rob (He is protecting him with one of the biggest baddest Angel's ever).

He has Rob in the palm of His hand.

He has Rob covered.

I am trusting him....

I am still only human and a mother. I am scared. My mind does tend to go to the crazy place of what ifs, from time to time.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

At times like these, I cling to Him. I picture myself holding on to Him, as close as I can get. I am tucked under His arm, and He's holding me tight. That is where I am right now. Safe. Protected.

I will do this one day at a time until Rob comes home.

Private Property~

Bobbie and Bennies
By Robert Hilton

Driving down an old road
Almond orchards on both sides
Past the canal bank
My heart beats fast
With mischievous intentions
The night is young
My friend and I park
Getting out of the truck
We grab our tackle and our fishing poles
Slowly making our way to the barbed wire fence
Ignoring the “No Trespassing” sign
Our feet against the dry brush
My friend turns around
Holding his finger to his mouth.
Shhhhhhhhhhh…
We can hear the crickets chirping
Singing the summers heat
We look around
Afraid to be caught
I hold the fence for him
Trying not to cut myself
Rust on my hands
Once we both make it over the fence
We tip-toe our way through the cow pastures and down a dirt trail
Mosquitoes humming at our skin
The night is hot
We can see the gravel pits glistening with the foreshadowing
Dreams and stories
All boys hear when growing up
The fish stories their dads would always tell them

For everything else~ there's MasterCard!

Plane tickets: $560.16

Car Rental: $44.00 per day

Wal*Mart Super Center: Coffee maker, B-B-Q and utensil's, groceries, Yahtzee : $84.00

P.F. Chang's China Bistro: $69.02

Economy Parking:$33.00

The warm and fuzzies I feel for Robert and Nessa: PRICELESS!