Happy New Year?

Well, Christmas didn't feel much like Christmas, and it's already long gone it seems... and 2007 is just a skip away. I'm hoping that 2007 will bring some brighter days, but so far it is not looking so promising! Yikes!

The four of us are getting on an airplane tomorrow to Long Beach... going to try to mix the good with the sad. We picked out funeral clothes today... a pretty little dress for Samantha and a nice pair of black pants for David. There's packing to do and work I need to get done...but I just feel like a slug.

Sorry for the melancholy post, but I really meant to wish you all a very Happy New Year and a great 2007. Don't give up on me yet for the Christmas cards...they will go out! I promise!!!! Be back in a week!

**HUGS**

A Peaceful Release...and a Fiesta in Heaven

Though my heart is really broken right now... I'm posting this because many of you ask me on a regular basis about someone so very special in my life...

Very, very peacefully, my little grandma took my grandfather's hand and went home to Heaven yesterday afternoon. I just know that she is there now in his arms and hugging her younger sister, her parents...everyone she ever loved...and they just had to have been all gathered around with sweet mariachi music and lots of warm tortillas...just waiting to welcome her home and celebrate the end of her long enduring pain. She's safe now, and can finally rest.

Her poor little battered body was just so tired, and though the dialysis was helping her feel better lately, a recent procedure to put a stint in her arm left her with a terribly painful and numb hand. She was just getting more and more worn out. She was just so tired and ready for some rest.

She had a good day, everyone reports. My aunt styled her hair for her. She went to dialysis earlier than usual, and even went shopping afterwards. She came home and asked my cousin Amanda to wrap up a purse for my aunt while she went to rest in bed. It was only minutes that Amanda returned to Grandma's room and found her not breathing. It was so quick and peaceful in her own bed, in her own apartment, with family.... and that was really all we hoped for her, that it would be quick and peaceful and dignified.

She is so beautiful and I miss her so much... I missed her even before she left. I can't imagine what it will be like now without her physically here in my life, but I am happy for her, and I carry her with me in everything I do.

I love you so much, Little Grandma!!!! You are the most beautiful little woman with the biggest heart...and you gave me so much love and joy all of my life. You did nothing but give care and love to everyone you knew... real, rich, unconditional love. You are amazing, and I'm just so blessed that you were mine.



I knew you had to leave soon, Grandma...but I still can't believe you are actually gone. I wish I could just scoop you up in my arms again and hold you forever.

The kids and I were at the mall...and I think even taking this picture at the moment she passed or shortly after because it was no more than a minute or two that my mom was calling me...but didn't want to tell me until I got home. So here, Grandma, maybe you saw us taking this picture...I was thinking of you when I snapped it and how you would be so tickled by it, and I was going to rush home and send it out for printing so I could put it in your package on Tuesday...but well.......so this last picture is for you!! This picture will forever mean so much to me... to remind me of where I was when you closed your beautiful green eyes to this world, and I can see your smile on the faces of my babies.



David was really upset...but I just explained about the Fiesta in Heaven and how Little Grandma is now having a wonderful Christmas homecoming with everyone she missed so much. It seemed to cheer him up a little bit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

and thank you just for thinking of us... no need to call or write or comment if you don't wish... but just knowing you cared enough to read this post and took a second to mentally hug us... that's means more to me than anything, and please know that I love you too. All my best.... Rachel

I'm broken again and Random Acts of Cuteness

Man, getting older is not easy! I'm going to be 32 this January, and I'm ready to just lay down and give it all up. Well, remember a year ago last November when I had the problem with my sciatic nerve? It's back with a vengeance! So this time it's unbearable though, and I decided I better bite the bullet and go see the orthopedic surgeon. So I did, and got sent right away for an MRI. We'll found out on Friday just how bad it is, but the word "herniated" was in that conversation, and I'm hoping it won't really be a herniated disk.

Anyway..........on to some random cuteness

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Overheard while David and Samantha were fighting in the other room:

David: "Santa Claus!!!!!! Samantha is being a bad girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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Samantha looking concerned and worried says: "Mommy! I can feel my heart here (touching chest) and over here (touching more to the left). Do I have two hearts???

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David on floor talking to himself says, "I'm just here by myself with no friends. (Spots the inflatable Strawberry Shortcake balloon doll thingy deflated on the floor) I'll blow up a friend to play with!"

Ah, his first inflatable doll experience! LOL!

Hi there!

Only one week until Christmas!!!!!!!! ACK!!!

I have lots of posts today, so make sure to keep scrolling!

Hugs to everyone!!!

Holiday Brunch

Sunday was our fancy holiday brunch at Pisces restaurant at the Hyatt, Inner Harbor, Baltimore. It's on the top floor and has a gorgeous view of the harbor! The weather has been beautiful lately!

Here is a zoomed-in view of the harbor from the restaurant...


We were given entrees to choose from, in addition to the wonderful buffet. I chose the seared rock fish and lobster tempura! It was quite delicious and beautifully presented!


Here are the lovely ladies that keep our office running smoothly: from left to right, Wendy, Kari, Teena the Great, and Stephanie. Aren't they pretty??


And then there is Keith and me too...


The owner of the firm I work for is very kind and generous, and it was a fantastic holiday brunch!

Just Cute!

Sammie and our cousins' new puppy. Not sure what the puppy's name is, but s/he sure is adorable!!!!!




(Photo by Miller Family)

You've Got Mail!

Saturday brought two packages, and this post is just to let the senders know that I got them!

First... a box from Amazon. The sender is secret, and I don't want to open it until Christmas, but just wanted whoever sent this package to know it arrived safely and thank you very much!!!! I can't wait to see what it is! That was very sweet of you, and I'll post more when it's actually open on Christmas! THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!!!



Second... another box came Saturday. This time I do know the sender, and she will know who she is too. Thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!! That was really, really, really generous of you. I picked up the box and Lightning McQueen was talking to me! LOL! Again...presents will be saved for Christmas morning, and I'll report back then, but in the meantime, it arrived safely! THANK YOU SO MUCH, SANTA!!!

Another Depo Buddy!

I think I'm going to make a new hobby out of taking pictures of weird "Buddies" at depositions. What do you think? CPR guy was really funny...but here is another "Buddy" at a lawyer's office in Annapolis. I think he has a little problem with his arm though. What a great sense of humor this attorney has!

Following behind this guy on Wednesday morning gave me a smile...

A Visit to Frog Hollow

We went to Maryanne's for our Christmas tree again this year. We got to see a chicken on a nest who laid two eggs and left a feather! We picked out a beautiful little tree (still undecorated), talked with the fabulous Rudy Patootie who is recovering from a scary incident with a trap, and had fun picking out gourds. Maryanne is the absolute best, and I wish I could just move into her house. LOL!

Here are just some highlight photos. Now if I could just get that tree decorated!

"Where Pillsbury gets their Crescent Rolls"

This one had me rolling on the floor too!!!! Just had to share it!

Overheard at Target

Woman in a very loud voice asking her daughter about what mittens she wanted...

"SO YOU WANT YOUR THUMB IN ONE HOLE AND THE REST OF YOUR FINGERS IN THE OTHER HOLE?"

Return of the red dress...

Samantha has this little red velvet dress that our friend Jennifer gave her at Christmas a year or two ago. She wears that dress ragged! Anyway, she was parading around as usual and I noticed how filthy it was! "Sammie! That dress has to go in the laundry now! Hey, how about I find your other little red dress from Yoko's wedding?"

Sammie: "Yeah! I want to wear my wedding dress!"

Yes, she remembers the dress. She wanted to put the little black shoes on too, and that resulted in a tantrum after what resembled a scene from Cinderella. She wears a size ten now, and these were size six!! It was hilarious!

So she puts on this dress... WHERE DID THE TIME GO???? I know, I say that a lot, but man, these kids are growing so fast.

THE RED DRESS: THEN AND NOW...

January 2005...


December 2006...


January 2005...Dancing with big brother...


December 2006... Still love big brother...(Who was brushing her hair, by the way!)







and here she is... the little girl who somehow takes my breath away. I love her so much!



(To be honest, this face she is making is really, "Mommy, can we go inside now?" Yes, the temperature was somwhere in the 30's, I believe. I know, Bad Mommy!)

The best deponent in the world...

Is this guy....



Isn't he great? He just sits there with his orange eyes bugged out and his naked butt hanging out not saying a word.
Q: Do you remember what happened on January 3, 2001?
A: ...
Plaintiff Attorney: No further questions!

No seriously though... I took a deposition this week in a conference room at a hospital, and had to sit next to this crazy training doll the whole time! At least his cell phone didn't go off in the middle of it! What cracked me up most was that he was wearing shades...and his hospital gown wasn't closed all the way in the back...I guess even dummies don't get to have any dignity in those gowns!

New toy!

Hi there!

I upgraded my camera from a Nikon Coolpix E3200 to a Nikon Coolpix L5! I like the Nikon because of it's amazing macro capabilities for a user-friendly and affordable model. I can get down and get such great crisp detail in my bead photographs. Now with the upgrade though, I can also get fantastic zoom and more megapixels! The last one was 3 megapixels, and this one is 7.2.

Just to test out the automatic portrait feature, here is a pic of my Sambina. Gotta love that little face!

Have a good week!