Today Ian is taking his last final exam and it is also his last day attending an all boys Catholic high school. Just recently I realized I never made cupcakes for him to bring to school. Ian and I did make them for his violin group once - he was probably 6 years old. We had so much fun making them. I think we made a 100 of them and I think it may have taken us two days. He was so concerned about making sure we had enough for everyone. It was right before Thanksgiving and it turned out we had more than enough. The "icing on the cake" was how surprised everyone in his violin group was when we brought them in. Such a small gesture made so many people happy.
So last night I made him 48 cupcakes to bring to school. Ian will be able to give each kid on his bus and his bus driver a cupcake and everyone in his homeroom one too. He said everyone likes chocolate cake the most so I made chocolate cupcakes frosted and sprinkled with his school's colors. I wish I could have made one for the entire graduating class.
This morning I am thinking about how lucky I am to be able to do something like that. I am also thinking about how there are some kids in his school who will not pass their exams and who also feel so uncertain about their future. Ian's teacher told his class there are usually several kids who fail their finals. The finals at his school are worth half their grade for the entire year. No pressure there eh?
I'm also thinking about how in just a couple of hours I will be waiting outside of Ian's school so I can witness a touching tradition where the senior class exits the school for the last time. I hope each of them knows deep in their heart that no matter what their final grade turns out to be, that is not what defines them. Whatever path they are meant to be on will make itself apparent sooner or later. They are all still so young and have so much ahead of them to look forward too. My prayer for all of them is that they realize this is true and that it's all good.
I've been told they look like men when they leave. I can't wait to see this for myself. I just hope I can hold it together - I've already had a few outbursts this morning and it wasn't pretty.

Wow! it has been over two years since I've written for this blog! where the hell have I been?

my first toonlet!

52 years and counting...

Here my parents sit next to each other while they watch their grandson play his violin at one of his Christmas concerts this last December. I first took this photo because I couldn't get over my Dad's work gloves and felt a sudden need to document them. When I looked at the photo later on that evening, I realized it told a much greater story - 52 years worth to be exact!
Happy anniversary Mom & Dad and may you celebrate many more to come!

sorry for the delay!

c r e a t i v e


or... p r o d u c t i v e

I was torn between two words! I thought for sure I had made up my mind (creative) and then another popped into my head that seemed so right and so perfect for how I felt. the only problem is, it (productive) doesn't sound like the type of word you could do a twenty minute meditation on. & I am always happiest when I am doing something that makes me feel like I am a productive member of society. What was I to do? So then I thought, if my new word is to be my mantra for the year then I better pick a word I at least like the sound of and that is when I thought of the third word which really is a combination between the two. If I focus on the word "create", then it is most likely I will not only be productive, I will also be "creative" in my productivity. So without further ado my new word for 2010 is definitely...


~ C R E A T E ~

out with the old in with the new...

and I don't mean I am getting rid of this lovely painting created by my lovely sister-in-law. This will hang where I can see it always. Hopefully one day it will sink in. Though this word did help me last year, I did not focus on it the way I did with words I picked for years passed. I'm thinking of the word for the year 2010 and I'm pretty sure I've got. I'll let you know for sure on the first of our new year!
Happy New Year everyone! Stay safe.

I miss my blog!

Is anyone out there? It's me Lily & I'm still here. I've been a little side tracked these last couple of months but I am not gaining weight, I actually lost 1.4 pounds! So I'm happy about that, especially this time of year. It really is a small miracle for me which I am very grateful for. I have more to say about that later.
I just wanted to check in and say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! and share this photo of Miss Priscilla as well. We had a blizzard last Saturday and she can not resist playing in the snow. The only problem is, she gets filled with snow-like dreadlocks and I have to use the blow dryer to get them off while she busies herself trying to lick them off at the same time! This is a dog who refuses to drink the water out of her dish, but should she find some elsewhere, suddenly it's the most delicious water she has ever tasted where she can't even force herself to stop drinking it, even if she tried.

here she is looking really cute


& here she is looking cuter.