Gray.
Rainy.
Cold.
Damp.

Bone chilling damp.

And did I mention the gray?  Dark gray.  Like the sun suddenly lost half its intensity.  Brrrr!

And yet, as I drive through this gray, rainy, cold, damp, bone chilling day to retrieve my young pumpkins from school – I see the colors of fall, still boldly glowing, in spite of the relative darkness.

And the golden, red, orange colors illuminate the world around me, in spite of the rain, like they only can this time of year.

And so I choose to see their beautiful light.

And I appreciate their softly glowing reminder on this gray and gloomy, October Tuesday, that we too can let our light shine – even on the darkest of days.

And perhaps, help remind those around us to stay focused not on the world’s darkness, but on it’s radiant light – where we all really shine.

Live happy my friends!

Hi There!  Did you think I forgot ya?  I beg your forgiveness as I’ve been a bit incognito the last few weeks – and I have absolutely no good reason other than…

It was Spring Break (glorious – hear the angels singing)?  And we were…at the beach.  And I had time to contemplate things like…

how much I LOVE SEAHORSES!

Let me introduce Spartacus.  My favorite seahorse lamp – ever (and no I don’t typically name furniture and other ‘things’). However, I didn’t know they made seahorse lamps until recently and when I saw him, I loved him and knew I had to have this guy and he just had to have a name.  I think he’s regal.

And this, is a picture of actual seahorses we saw at the Aquarium located in beautiful Pine Knoll Shores, NC, while spring breaking.

I just think they’re so dang cute.  And I mean come on – how can you not be amazed, befuddled, and impressed by a uniquely alien looking, yet graceful sea creature – where the boys have the babies!!!

Well actually, while that does amaze me – the truth is – I’m one of those weird, wacky, women who loved the “having” a healthy baby part.  The actual push ’til your eyeballs are popping out of your sockets and your handed a tiny, wrinkled, human creature ‘having’ is what I mean here.

And so now you know – I’m officially crazy.  Off my rocker.  Certifiable.  Or maybe not.  Hang on…let me qualify my statement…

My pregnancies?  Not a lot of love of that period of time for me (although I know many who LOVED being pregnant – GOD BLESS YOU).  No, for me, it was simply a means to an end ’cause I wanted that baby!  Why didn’t I like being pregnant you ask?  Oh,  that ‘hang over’ nausea feeling that leads to – well you know.  Then there’s the weight gain, the back pain, the reflux, the ankle swelling and water retention, a whole host of other issues women can face, and frankly….no wine (whimper), which made the whole nine months a less-than-happy-go-lucky memory for me…

But having the baby, my baby.  That was awesome.

I got that indescribable feeling many women report, a huge rush, like a feeling of overwhelming pride, of awe and amazement.  It was for me a true miracle….the miracle of having another human that was going to be at least a little bit like me (poor child), that no one has had before and no one ever will again.  That I loved.  And although I try always to share, I never would want to trade that experience for anything.

I happen to like the current role Daddy plays in all this – it’s an amazing thing if you really think about it.

To quote Alice von Hildebrand, a famous Catholic philosopher (who was introduced to me via FB by my dear childhood friend Jennifer Macintosh. Be sure to check out Jen’s awesome and thought provoking blog at wildflowersandmarbles.com)

“A man and woman collaborating with the Eternal God in creating a new human being is an awe-inspiring privilege not given to the angels – not even the highest of the seraphim!”  

Wow.  Now I’m not Catholic (full disclosure), but that’s how I felt.  It’s how I feel about it now.  An awe-inspiring privilege.   

Having said that, I’m still quite impressed by those darling little Daddy seahorses!  And how nice of them to call to mind this awesome privilege I was blessed with.  Thanks little guys (and girls) for reminding me of just how much family means to me, to us, to life.  

And how important and special all of us truly are.

So if you get the chance to visit an Aquarium – and if you live around NC and you haven’t been to the one at Pine Knoll Shores yet – it’s a great place to go.  We go nearly every time we’re at the beach.  And (despite the constant push toward the gift shop by my boys) we love to see the various fish, the otters, the alligators, the snakes, the sea turtles, the jellyfish, the sharks, and of course…the seahorses!

Giggle.  I just love ’em.  Toodles!

 

 

Ok.  I just gotta share this.

I know, I know.  There are hundreds of funny animal videos all over the internet and FB.  They pop up practically every day…

Sigh.

Well my friends, yes.  I. Have. One. Too.

Many of you know our cat Comet.  He’s nothing short of hysterical.  Everyone loves him – even cat haters like this cat.  Promise.  I tell you no lie!

Today he’s a big, fat, 14 year old, friendly, luv-ie, laaazzzy, lap baby.  Wouldn’t hurt a thing (or move a muscle) – unless you’re a lizard, mole, or bird on a beautiful spring day…

But I digress.  We now return to our regularly scheduled programming…

Jason shot this with our family cam nearly 14 YEARS ago.  But with all the other videos out there – we just had to share this one.  It’ll explain why we fondly refer to him as our “COG” (half cat/half dog).  Boy has he made us laugh over the years…and keep your eyes peeled ’cause you just may see him from time to time wander into our food videos!

Til then, (drumroll) “hhhhheeeerrrrrrreeeessssss” Comet!

Hope you enjoyed and please share if you feel like it!  Luv ya – really.