Someday Has Come

As I have spent my most recent days trying to walk closely with loved ones and place myself in their shoes in an effort to be as helpful and supportive and loving as I can be, I have been constantly drawn back to thoughts of my own daughters. And to thoughts of mothers.

Audrey and I took a tub the other evening after a very long day. My back was sore and my heart ached. She regaled me with stories of recess and writing practice and let out giant belly laughs as she dumped buckets of soapy water over her head. I was in awe of who she is and all that I have. My thoughts immediately went to what the days must be like right now for my dear friend's mom who is reeling from the recent diagnosis of her daughter's breast cancer. She once shared her days with a vibrant, lively five year old, too.

I prayed with my beautiful girls tonite after warming up their herbal packs, lathering cream on their delicate skin, and tucking them under their quilts. I thought of what my mom must be feeling tonite as my brother is slated for major surgery tomorrow complete with a neurosurgeon and the awareness that he has a long six week recovery ahead of him. She spent night after night of his childhood pulling up the bedcovers, singing him songs, and sending him off to sleep with warm hugs and kisses.

One day when I was bustling about concerned over something relating to the girls, Eric referred to me as "Chicken Little". Audrey and Liv overheard the comment and immediately understood what he meant. It's now a nickname they throw out at me if ever I am running about like a worried mother hen fearing something will happen to them. Or if they think I am "over mothering" them.

"Someday you will understand," I tell them. They are the exact words my mother said to me. Someday is Here and she was right...

The Sun is Shining

Frib and Al basking in the rare Seattle winter sunshine

Given how the first 17 days of 2009 have gone the fact that the sun is shining is one of the brightest spots thus far...

I will keep this post brief and consider this my journal entry for the past couple of weeks. I look forward to closing this chapter and for sunny days ahead.

Just sent an email to a girlfriend and thought I could use part of that note to best sum up the recent days.

Been a helluva a week, girl—close friend got the diagnosis of a lifetime. cancer. (mom of a 5 yr. old, engaged to be married in mere weeks, successful biz owner, life was blooming brilliantly). She will "kick it" I know (I think that will be the title of her blog we're working on--stay tuned) and I will be there each step of the way so long as she does not tire of me!

My brother lost his job to the economy (and is going in for nearly 7 hr. ear surgery next week in Boston with a 6 wk. recovery said to be filled with nauseau and dizziness—has a family of 4 back in Maryland).

One of my clients closed their restaurant after nearly 20 yrs (dozens displaced), a girlfriend suffered a miscarriage yesterday and has been simply overjoyed with the prospect of her babe for weeks now, my mom-in-law got in a car axe and can’t meet us in Disney the end of the month afterall- the airline won’t give us our $ back (thank God she will be OK once we get her back feeling better).

I will spare the k PR newspaper quotes this week, the insulting letter from a lawyer based on a client that won't pay, and the vomit fest hosted by my beautiful Audrey that kicked off in our bed at 8 this morning.

I may steal Liv and do some retail therapy for a bit as E plays Mr. Mom with Audrey and watches basketball. That is, IF she stops vomiting. Otherwise, she needs me more than the mall. ;)

So if that's the case I will pull up a slice of the floor and rest in the sun with the dogs.

Got this quote from a friend yesterday--

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.

My umbrella is by the door...

Happy Ending

2008 ended on a great note and we rang in 2009 with much fanfare.

Audrey girl is pictured on New Year's Eve playing Papa Bliss' (Eric's dad) trumpet. He would have been 85 on January 1st so we toasted him and all tried our lips at playing some notes in his honor!

We filled the final weeks of the year with a lot of activity and much joy.

Many of the adventures were snow filled

Once back inside we indulged in fresh baked treats to fend off the cold.

I loved this photo of dear Olivia. She looks so grown up to me. When I took this picture I was imagining her many years from now home from college chatting with me and enjoying a croissant together.

We had several game nights---here are some shots below of a round of charades

We tackled some craft projects

and went on several fun outings.

Alice the dog was invited on this one--to lunch no less!

Christmas was truly lovely.

Here are my beautiful girls at our church's Christmas Eve service.

After a night of snacks, cocktails, and friendship shared with the LaMarrs, the girls prepped for Santa's arrival with cookies, milk, carrots
and special requests (Audrey asked Santa to please not go in her room---same drill for the leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day and Charlotte the tooth fairy can only go as far as the bureau...)

It was our first Christmas morning spent as just the four of us since gramma was snowed in at her home in upstate New York.

Christmas day was a peaceful, beautiful, and snowy one...

Olivia scored the iPod she's been requesting for two years now. Eric and Santa exchanged many emails over this gift as Eric sorted out the pros/cons. Apparently Santa was convincing...

Here's Audrey in new garb!Audrey presented me with a book she made for me and Eric--it's all about her and written by her. Darling.New Year's Eve was spent at Chez LaMarr. Oh, what a night!

Bff's celebrating!And Carrie and Darren doing the same!

My mixmaster, E. Gin martini with a splash of scotch. Next time--just ONE!

So here it is 2009 and as I end one year with fabulous memories and much gratitude I look forward to the year ahead with a heart brimming with love and hope.

At bedtime tonite each of the girls sang me beautiful songs they wrote especially for me. Priceless. I then asked them about their favorite memories of 2008 (Audrey's was the day her teacher, Mr. Bill, returned from surgery and Liv's was the day she celebrated her 8th birthday at Libby Lu).

I asked them about what they wanted to experience in 2009. Audrey said she hopes it will be the best year she's ever had in all her five years of life and that she can't wait for some new Disney Channel shows that are coming out soon. Olivia questioned my reason for asking and inquired, "Did you see the stars on Disney's 'Totally New Year' telling what they were looking forward to this year?" Uh, no!

After my "get great legs in '98" vow was never fulfilled I have never made another New Year's resolution but tonite I wonder if that should change. Maybe 2009 should be the year my kids watch much less TV!

Happy New Year and may 2009 be a magical one for you & yours.

Merry Holidays

The kids are allegedly tucked in for the night--although as I type now Audrey E. just sang out, "I love you, Mama" which is very dear yet also a total stall tactic.

Liv meanwhile is feeling as if she's won the lottery since I allowed her to set up camp in the guest room two floors down from our bedroom since Gramma will not be joining us for Christmas afterall. After three days of trying to get out of upstate New York she was able to catch a short flight to Philadelphia only to be stranded overnight. She was then sent back to Syracuse yesterday since the earliest they could get her to Seattle would be Thursday night. Thankfully I was able to get our airline ticket money refunded and now feeling heartsick for the widow who will be separated from her only child at Christmas I feel like I should be sending her on a trip to Disneyland. Seriously. So I have spent no less than six hours the past two days researching ways to get my clan and her to Disney next month.

As we sit buried in ice and snow cabin fever is a true phenomenon here at Wilkinson Manor. I managed to get stuck five times the past couple of days which led to my blurting some major obscenities within the confines of my minivan and in close earshot of my girls.

In fact yesterday while stuck at the top of the street (thanks to the plow blocking the entrance with mounds of snow) I flagged down some dear man who spoke very little English but surely recognized the Starbucks logo when I took out a card and presented it to him as my thanks for his lending me his axe that was in the back of his truck so I could dig around my tires and get out.

After that fiasco I declared I was going NOWHERE until Eric was home to drive. The world of TV news has owned him during the storm (naturally) which has meant single parenting for me and a lot of envy on my part when I read Facebook posts and email messages of all the "fun" families are enjoying together in the snowy weather. While I may be a tad green with envy I really am glad you're blessed and able to celebrate the season together, my friends!

Anyway--I renegged on my "no driving" declaration today and braved the elements and hit the post office to send gramma her Christmas packages (oh my, the cost to overnight gifts!), went to the butcher shop for the prime rib, filled the car up with gas, ran to the grocery for some last minute needs, and took the girls to see the movie, "A Tale of Desperaux".

While all appears calm now there is still much to be done.

I have a closet overflowing with gifts that must be wrapped. And there's much more to come.
UPS has yet to deliver at least five parcels containing loads of Christmas goodies ordered from American Girl, Pottery Barn Kids, Barnes & Noble, and some eBay scores.

What I wouldn't give to relax with my new book, "The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan. I picked it up in the bookstore today after hearing her speak on a YouTube video and as the kids played and perused the books I read at least five chapters. I can not put it down. (Seattle friends--a few of us have agreed to start a book club this new year starting with this book so holler if you'd like to join and we can meet at either some of our homes or Third Place Books or a local coffee shop (or better yet- some fun pub)).

Well dear ones, I must run. Audrey is claiming she simply can not get to sleep and requires my help.

So while Eric grabbed a beer with a bud after work tonite I am left preparing for my one woman wrapping party.

Yahoo! Eric just called asking what time the wrapping party begins.

My prince is coming! Let the festivities begin (and may this little elf at the top of the stairs get to bed...!)

I'm off!

Merry Holidays to you & yours.

'Tis the Season

The halls of Wilkinson Manor are decked and the tree is trimmedthe girls are sporting their holiday bestand yet this mama feels like she's been caught in an avalanche.

I've been buried---in the holiday season.

Cards for the media, gifts for the media, gifts for my clientsgifts for my children and family and friends, drafting and mailing the annual holiday letter, kids holiday activities, teacher gifts, baking for teacher appreciation day, school projects, new client needs, current client needs and far too many snow days which translates to school time off for my kids and my daytime spent juggling requests for cocoa, dressing them in snow gear, peering out the window to be sure they're safe while responding to client emails, pitching the press, answering phone calls, and eventually succumbing to the pressure and allowing the computer and TV to serve as the babysitter.

I assume many of you are finding yourself in the same snowbank.

Despite all the chaos there has been much that is merry and bright.

We've shopped for the "needies"

and delivered the goods.

Eric and I went to a fabulous NW winter brewfest (here I am pictured with the brewer of my favorite beer there~ Cherry Porter). He also makes a killer "Mistletoe Bliss" -for the name alone (Eric and Olivia's middle names are Bliss) I am hooked.

Liv and her school mates put on a lovely jazz performance

We boarded the Santa Train once again for our annual pilgrimage to see Santa!

Snow has been falling steadily outside Wilkinson Manor and we're all elated.

Here are my girls catching flakes with their tongues last weekend.

I finally freed myself from my laptop late this afternoon and enjoyed a wonderful tea party with Audrey.

As she dipped her animal crackers and almond cookies in her tea she declared, "This is perfectly perfect."

I could feel myself slowly thawing out.