The Sweetest Thank-you 'Note' Ever...

Happy 4th Birthday little Spunky...love you!

Today is Mom's Birthday...

Auburn, Mom 3ish w/ Uncle Joe behind her.

In her riding gear..probably going to the Pelham stables..

Classic pic w/ her brothers,  Uncle Joe and Uncle Vince...the outfit, totally stylish for today!

W/ beloved cousins, Ann and Ellie @ Volare in the Village. 83rd Birthday celebration,

Thanksgiving @ Joey's, a few years ago...

She would have been 89 years old today. I was up w/ the sun and took some beautiful pics of the start of this day. I received a text from my brother around 9AM, my time, and there it was...the floodgates. I learned, after my father passed away, 24 years ago, that his birthday was the hardest day of the year...every year. The 'firsts', after anyone dies are hard, especially their birthday. They only die once, so we remember, we honor, we light a yahrzeit candle. But, their birthday, Mom's birthday was always a celebration, singing of camp songs (you Rhoda Girls know what I am talking about), cards and gifts, for my/our entire life. So I miss her today, I miss celebrating her life, and it is the first, so I am a mess. Chances are that I won't blog about Mom's birthday next year, but this, the first one w/out her, is certainly reason to post some pics and say, 'Happy Birthday Mom!!!' I love you always and really really  miss you...especially today....

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 15th Birthday to Big Kitty...the best guy around...we love you!!!!

It is My Birthday!

Today is my birthday. No combination gifts allowed...lol. So, it's been quite a few weeks, first my husband had his birthday on the 15th, Holiday shows to prepare for, Edward coming home for Winter break from college, 3 straight days of snow, Chanukah, Christmas, and now THIS...oh, I'm exhausted!!! We plan to go to the Federal Hill section of Providence, where we go to a store called Venda. To those of you familiar with Balducci's in NYC., it's similar, very similar. We're going to buy all sorts of prepared Italian foods (cooking, today, NO WAY!), come home and have a lovely early dinner and begin to unwind. We're grateful, so very grateful for a blessed Chanukah and Christmas, a warm home, food in the fridg, clothes to wear, our health, beloved family and friends. Now, we rest.

Wordless Wednesday

An early, handmade birthday gift from my dear friend, Joyce.
For Joyce's web site, click here.

September 15, Happy Birthday Edward!

Today my son, Edward is celebrating his 19th birthday! WOW, 19 years ago at 8 o'clock in the morning I pushed out of my 4'10 1/2" body a screaming 5 lb. 6 ounce little boy! Miracle of miracles. There is nothing that can prepare you, there is no book that you can read that will explain to you what happens to your heart in that moment. You are forever changed, your name is forever changed to 'Mommy', or 'Edward's Mom'. I could tell you how proud we are of him, with all of his struggles, being diagnosed at the age of 12 with Juvenile Diabetes, and how well he his handling his daily health care while at college. I could tell you how handsome he is, and funny, he's a really funny kid, great sense of humor. But, instead, I share with you his gift. He's a brilliant artist. I could show you all the masterful drawings he has done with the character he has created for his yet to be published comic book. I could show you his great aptitude with all that he has learned on Photoshop, while taking classes at Rhode Island School of Design when he was 13, 14 and 15. But instead, I share with you a drawing that we both did at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Just pencil. The top drawing is his and the piece underneath it, mine. We sat side by side, and drew. Happy Birthday Edward, we love you!