A Pajama Mama

"Daddy, will you please take my training wheels off?" Why does the 5 year old baby of the family insist on growing up so quick? Is it not enough that just this week I boxed up wooden puzzles for the attic? Is it not enough that just this week I chose a dozen or so of our most special board books and boxed them up, too? Some of them were 13 years old, some 9, some 5. All were well loved. I could "read" most of them with my eyes closed. So could the kids. But, my babies are too old for them now. So why did it have to be this week, too, that Appledoodle decided to take her training wheels off? In a way, I feel wistful, saying goodbye to all things "baby." But on the other hand, I'm relieved we actually survived the long years of babies, toddlers and preschoolers! We're on to a completely different season for our family now. Anyway, Daddy removed the training wheels and a very determined 5 year old Appledoodle rose to the challenge with her normal ten...

Black and White This world is like watercolor; Only all the colors are black and white and grey. The beautiful colors that You made in each of us are beginning to fade. Everyone is falling. Falling for this game. You keep calling, But they continue to fade. Everyone is blending in. They can't tell up from down. People jumping into the peer pressure bin; Coming out, none look sound. This is a black-and-white world. But I refuse to blend. That's why I only look to you, Lord. Never to any of them. © ~Rayray

I apparently gave up my Google search too soon! Golden Presidential Curtains can be found in the grand East Room of the White House....along with absolutely gorgeous crystal chandeliers. And no, these curtains are not new....or a part of a massive redecorating campaign. Maybe they just got a good, fresh washing and ironing and are looking extra shiny and golden for the new residents. Cased closed. Now, on to more important things.

Am I the only one wondering about these curtains? I don't remember ever seeing President Bush standing in front of these shiny gold curtains with cherubs and presidential seal-looking prints. I can only surmise that these curtains were a part of the White House Extreme Makeover? To be honest, I don't love them. Everytime I've seen them on tv, I am distracted. I don't comprehend one presidential word being spoken about the state of our nation bc I am trying to figure out what's on the curtains, what they're made of, what's behind them, where they came from and why they are there. Yes, I've googled them. Wouldn't a different color look better against our President's skin...like a burgundy or deep red? Maybe a nice shade of dark blue? I have noticed a striking similarity in color and pattern between the drapes and First Lady Michelle Obama's beautiful inauguration dress. So, I'm wondering if perhaps she picked out the new golden curtains? ...

What a lovely day!! Hearts and love and pink stuff and chocolate and flowers and huggin' and kissin'! Oh...we haven't even noticed that it's been raining for 20 hours straight...It's warm and cozy inside the house on this sweet Valentine's Day. We had a huge brunch and Hero cooked the pancakes and cleaned every last dish....this was AFTER a delivery man brought me one dozen RED ROSES. We're hoping the rain rain will go away in time to grill the meat for Fajita Night. (Pronounced Faheeter Nite ). I hope your day was full of Love, too.

One day this week, he came home with a little bag from Bath and Body Works for me. New lotion. It's called "Optimistic." We loved the name of it bc we are very optimistic that the worst of the surgery recovery is over. And it smells bright and cheerful. The lotion was enough to just thrill me. But not for him....He took me on my first outing since the surgery to a furniture warehouse to shop their clearance for our new bedroom, and this is what we found...the little loveseat and chair: The way he loves me is such a personal and intimate picture to me of how Father loves me. He loves me through my Hero. I will spare you the details of my rough post-op weeks, but let's just say my Hero is now more of a hero than ever before......