Please oh Please!!!

someone's gotta tell these old fellers to just stop with the comb overs

Quick, Random.

Said good-bye to some dear dear friends this week, they are moving to Denver.
we will miss them oh so much!!
Shed some tears many times knowing they were leaving, it came at random times, it came in spurts.
But when we said our final good-bye...we were all teary eyed, saying our last good-bye...& we were at the entrance of Costco.
Probably one of the oddest farewells in my 11 years here.

Also
Joel & I went to the free US Open qualifying matches tonight.
sat in the bleachers next to Robin Givens (Head of the Class, Mike Tyson's ex)
she is teeny! about the size of my left arm!

And
sat next to some famous tennis gal (Melanie something or other...I think she's a big deal)
it was fun & we saw an amazing match between these 2 kiddos (Ryan Harrison from USA & Rui Machado from Portugal) that in the end probably lasted about 2.5 hours!
amazing skillz.
good times.

Where's the Scar?

When I tell people I've had open heart surgery, the first reaction they have is to glance down on my chest.
They are looking for the scar.  They do not say it audibly, but the action certainly tells me what is going on in their head.
I will either just let it pass or say something.
This past weekend, I had one of those occurrences.

I was at a wedding, speaking with a friend I had not seen in a few years.  I noticed the glance and said "you were looking for the scar weren't you?" Embarrassed, my friend smirked and said "yeah, well...yeah!"  I then proceeded to tell him how the doctors did the surgery on my side and that the scar can not be seen. (pictures and further explanation of the procedure here).

This moment got me thinking...
In NYC we encounter 100's if not, at times, 1000's of people a day.
Do they have scars?
Some we can see, some not.
We all have a story, we have all been through something in our life...we all have scars.
From surgery, to break-ups, to accidents, to the bully in 1st grade.

Some embrace the scars, share the stories.  Some bury them deep down in a well of bitterness and mope.  It is up to us to decide which way we will turn.

Now I am not saying to go shout from the mountain top all of the problems you have ever encountered in your life, but do not be embarrassed by them either.  You never know who you might be able to encourage by sharing your story, by sharing your life.

I am still working on fully embracing all that I am, all that I have been through...but I realize that as I do so, others are comforted, others are blessed, and so am I.  I have a wonderful, supportive, amazing husband who loves me dearly because 5 years ago I decided to let down some walls and share some 'scars'.  I also have some FANTASTIC friends that I know I can depend on.
I move forward in the support, in the healing.

I desire that in sharing these stories that I will raise awareness on stroke and heart disease, but to also raise hope.

"Change is inevitable, growth is intentional."  -Glenda Cloud

Ways I Confuse my Huz

I love watermelon flavored candy,
but hate watermelon.

I love raspberries, strawberries, & cherries, & raspberry or strawberry or cherry flavored candy as well as raspberry or strawberry or cherry flavored drinks,
but hate raspberry or strawberry or cherry flavored ice cream, the green supposedly 'strawberry flavored' gummy bears, or anything filled with raspberry or strawberry or cherry goop.

I love black licorice,
but hate black jelly beans.

I love oranges,
but hate orange flavored candy or ice cream.

I love boston cream pie, 
but hate boston cream filled donuts.

I am a carnivore,
but will not eat meat on pizza.

Yup, there is likely lots more on this list,
& yes, my poor huz gets so confused.

My Granny Cart : My Car

In NYC, we generally don't have cars...we must improvise :

Buying an area rug from Home Depot

(January 2009)

returning the AC to Home Depot

(July 2010)

returning the AC to Home Depot

(July 2010)