next corner...

And a close up of the ridiculous shelves:

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?

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 ~

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.

poll results

Thank you everyone who participated in my poll ! I consider myself lucky you all did since I have been so lax about blogging. let me just say I have a lot of catching up to do-- around here that is, in my little blogging world.
First I want to say I found both the poll results and the readers comments very interesting.
I wish I had the willpower to eat just fruits and veggies and protein but the sad truth is I think I would have to be checked into a mental hospital if I didn't get my almost daily dose of potatoes, be they boiled, fried, whipped or baked. There is something about them, any kind will do, Russet, Yukon, red, blue, ordinary (though I have to admit I'm not crazy about the fingerlings, something about them looking too much like fingers I guess, even their name kind of grosses me out) I'm just not sure I could live without my beloved potato past one week. I always had the feeling they were good for me and I always seem to feel so good after eating one. Besides, regardless of the bad rap they get they really are good for you. Check out the facts here.
With 7 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein a potato even has iron (which I desperately need) and vitamin C in it, the perfect combination for optimal iron absorption!
Thanks to your comments, I did start to stash some almonds in my purse in the event of a hunger attack. I even started weight lifting and I am also eating much less wheat, so it was very good of you to make these suggestions, thank you again! I've always felt small positive changes in habits add up to something bigger and these seem to be sticking.

So based on reading your comments and pondering & looking at this poll, I decided I will stay on Weight Watchers at least until the New Year. Part of my reason is I know who the two people are that voted yes, that I should definitely stay with WW, & I got to talk to them about it & they both said the same thing, stay with WW for the support. That made sense to me.
No more going in on Saturdays just to get weighed, I'm staying for the meetings, sharing my experience & start again, to listen to others. It is easier (& more fun) to accomplish things with help from other people, something I all too often forget.
Besides, is there any other diet where you can eat sugar and still lose weight?

Two weeks ago I lost 2 pounds at my WW meeting, but last week I didn't go so I am a little nervous about tomorrow. That in itself tells me I need to report to someone on a regular basis. If nothing else, I just don't want to gain anymore weight!
Thanks for listening, I'll keep you "posted"!