Goodbye Amber... We love you!!!

Today my parents had to put down the last of their little girls - Amber. She lived a healthy 15 wonderful years. Amber started out as my puppy when I moved out of my parents home back in 1994. However, because I moved into a condo, there really wasn't any yard for her to play in, so my parents kindly took her to live with them - and Little Megan!! They were the best of friends!!! You couldn't have asked for better girls! Both Amber & Megan were VERY well behaved. Last June, after my parents had to put Megan down, Amber seemed to sense that SHE now was the PRINCESS... and she took full advantage of that!! Such a sweet baby girl & our "little clown". She brought so much laughter with her playing and dancing... We are really going to miss you Amber Bella!!

Here are the two girls (above)... Megan (left), Amber (right)

Reflecting back... again

Gosh, for several years now I've looked back at a few pictures and wondered where the time went? I've been blessed with a small but very close, loving family... to include my Godparents and their girls!! There are a few pictures that I dug up last night that bring back the most memories for me today! I've decided to scan just a few to post here on my blog. Two right off the top were the day each of my parents turned 40!! And, here I am years later... right where they were, probably feeling exactly as they felt (or darn near close). I remember making and decorating a double layer chocolate butter-cream frosting cake for my dad on his 40th. Now, its just weird to look at this and think... I'm as old as he was.... GEEZ!!Here is a BEAUTIFUL picture of my mom on her 40th birthday... gosh, she looked GREAT!!! (and still does)


And then there is me... turning 30! (just 10 VERY short years ago) Two of my GREAT friends (Sharyn & Becky) took it upon themselves (with a little help from friends and family) to give me thee BEST surprise birthday EVER!! It was flawless I tell ya!! This is a picture of me and Sharyn (my sister-in-law)... gosh I miss our fun times together! I LOVE my brother dearly, but also wanted a sister to share "girl times" with... Here is a picture of the other friend responsible for this flawless birthday party! We met in 9th grade, and to this day remain the closest of friends... well, as close as we can since SHE decided to get MARRIED two years ago and MOVE far, far away... like to New Mexico!!! Excited for the day she tells me she's moving back!!And then there is my friend, Nicole, that I have know all HER life (since I am just 14 days short of being two years older than her - YES... I count). We literally grew up together... tormenting each other about stupid stuff that we talk and laugh about now. We would come up with the most devious plans on how to get our moms to let us have a sleep-overs, and then bring EVERY stuffed animal onto the bed with us because it was our "boat", and if they weren't on the "boat", they'd get eaten by sea monsters.... oh yes... the stories go on, and on, and on......A picture of me with my parents at my 30th birthday party...And the group shot that almost didn't happen. For some reason, my dad had the hardest time trying to get everyone together on the porch for this picture. I'm so happy that it finally happened.
For me, looking back through all these photos makes me smile today... the day I turn 40. I realize it's JUST ANOTHER DAY... but am reminded by several people that it's truly a "milestone birthday".

Reflections of the last 39 years.... (in a nutshell)

Well, tomorrow I turn the big 4-0! (and Lena turns the big 5!!!)

As I sit here tonight - the night BEFORE my birthday, I'm wondering why turning 40 somehow causes you to take a serious look back over your life and think about all the stuff you've accomplished... and the stuff you haven't, or just can't seem to get right?? (I don't recall feeling this way when I turned 30).

I've never been one to make a "check list" of all the things I wanted to do in my lifetime. For example: graduate from college :: check, get married in my 20's :: check, buy a house with a white picket fence :: check, go for a ride in a hot-air balloon :: check... you get the idea. Yes, I've had goals, but never anything specific! More now than ever, I feel that I haven't made the most out of every moment. I do feel I am older and much wiser!! So, I guess I intend on making the next chapter of my life even better (how... I have no idea). Right now I need to keep reminding myself that "age is just a number".

Huh.... I never knew.....

I never knew the "proper" way to peel a banana open until I saw this video. I usually struggle like this guy to get it started.... Velly Intellesting!!!!!!

Do you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade??

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Hello friends! Do you enjoy the fresh squeezed taste of lemonade, but HATE having to deal with squeezing tons of lemons to get just a few drops? If your answer is YES... then let me tell you about this wonderful product available at your local Costco store. Italian Volcano Lemon Juice!! This Lemon Juice by Dream Foods International is:
- 100% juice
- No preservatives
- USDA Organic
- Single-origin juice made form Sicilian lemons
- Not-from-concentrate
- Kosher

A 1-liter bottle of Italian Volcano® Lemon Juice equals the juice of 40 fresh lemons!

So, if you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade, but hate the fuss and muss of squeezing lemons, then get your hands on a bottle of this stuff!! You'll never have to squeeze lemons again!

You're welcome!!

(p.s. There are a few other citrus flavors available by Dream Foods International - I have only tried the Lemon Juice.)

ORGANIC LEMONADE

1 part organic sugar

1 part Volcano Lemon Juice®

5 parts spring water

Combine sugar and lemon juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add water and stir again until well mixed. Enjoy!

Laura's 26 ABC's

I've seen this being done on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. If you want, cut and paste this into your blog, answer the questions, then leave me a comment letting me know you did it too.

A - Age: 39 (gulp)
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Pulling Weeds
D - Dog's name: Lena
E - Essential start your day item: Shower
F - Favorite color: Purple

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Accounting, Mom to my dog Lena & bird Caleb, daughter, sister and friend
K - Kid(s): None
L - Living arrangements: Home in Eastpointe, Michigan
M - Mom's name: Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny)
N - Nicknames: Lo, Lola, Flowie
O - Overnight hospital stay: Yes, several times growing up
P - Pet Peeve: Dirty House
Q - Quote from a movie: "You had me at hello" - Jerry McGuire

R - Right or left handed: Right Handed
S - Siblings: 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 4:30 AM
U - Underwear: Yup
V - Vegetable you dislike: I love Veggies
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: I am never late
X - X-rays you've had: teeth and just about everywhere else at one time or another

Y - Yummy food you make: Szechuan Noodles with Pork
Z - Zoo animals you like: I just love ALL animals