Saturday, January 31, 2009

Like a Weed

Cupcake is growing like a weed. It really hit me when we were looking back at some old pictures. Here is Cupcake and I when she had been home 3 days.


Since then, she's gained 4 inches and 9 pounds! Take a look at this visual...she's on the same chair hugging me today. (I know the date is off by one day.)



Isn't that amazing?

And while we had the camera out, here is some fun interaction with Daddy.



And finally, with Cupcake at the shutter, here is her lovely and exhausted :-) parents. She's a decent photographer.


PS. Please ignore the bright purple eye shadow. She was home all day.

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Friday, January 23, 2009

I'd like to introduce to you...

Drum roll, please...

This is Lu Lu. Isn't she a beauty?



Blue is the new red, you know.

Seriously, I had a lot of fun reminiscing about all the fun we had with Bessie. My cars are really like friends to me. Maybe it's because I spend SO MUCH time with them. :-)

One story I forgot to mention in my poem was our 20th wedding anniversary. Daddy and I got dressed up nice and went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Now, in our house, that's a once in a lifetime (maybe twice) pricey, pricey dinner. So, we drive Bessie down to Clayton and realized that we have to use the valet parking. UGH! The van is not only embarrassingly old, but it is totally messy! So we hand the valet the keys without making eye contact. At the end of our wonderfully delicious meal, we come out right after some businessmen and right before an elegant couple. The businessmen, jump into the new, sleek, black BMW with the leather seats.

Then, up from the garage emerges Bessie! What a sight! She's covered in filth, missing a hubcap, has an odd squeal coming from underneath, and the transmission is jerking. We were trying to hold our heads high as we stepped up, tipped the valet, and climbed in, but secretly we were busting a gut. The couple behind us was clearly not impressed. I laughed until I cried.

It's funny how our memories are all tied up in things. Maybe that's why I hang on to so much stuff.

Anyway, I am so thankful for this new van and all of it's features. After having an old one for so long, I really appreciate all the new innovations...things like working windows and door locks, for instance. Yesterday, I bought groceries and realized that when I opened the back hatch, I wouldn't have to open it slowly to catch the rolling jars of spaghetti sauce - because it has a well in the back. WOOHOO!!! AND - Lu Lu has a compass!!!! It is imperative that I know which direction I'm heading whenever I'm in a strange city. I am SO PSYCHED about the compass! And don't even get me going on the CD/MP3 player! Bessie has a cassette player - those are little rectangular things that played music back in the day.

So, I'm a happy camper. I want to drive everywhere now. I think I'll run up to Walgreens right now for no particular reason. ;-)

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Ode to Bessie


Oh Bessie, Oh Bessie,
Shiny and red,
We drove you until,
You're almost dead.

You've been a good car,
We're thankful for that,
Except for the transmission,
the A/C and the flat.

Fourteen years
You've hauled us around,
Now is the time,
For a new car in town.

Our memories are clear,
We'll never forget,
You kept us all safe,
And we got where we went.

You've been up to the Dells,
And down to the border,
And we've always kept you,
in good working order.

Remember the Rockies,
When we slept in the back,
Afraid of the cold,
and that bears would attack.

We loaded you down,
You barely could make it,
In the mountains,
40 was all we could take it. (MPH, that is)

You've lived through two homes,
And kiddos times three,
Three churches, two trucks and a car.
Oh, how can it be?



Remember the date,
In the church parking lot.
Remember the glare,
of the officer's spot!

We really just stopped,
to talk and to plan.
We were shocked at the siren,
the lights, the knock on the van!

I'm giggling now,
as I laugh through the tears!
Imagine getting caught "parking",
At forty-two years!

Thanks for the memories,
Bessie, my friend.
Try not to think,
That this is the end.

This is the start
of a brand-spanking new deal,
You get to be driven,
by a teen at the wheel!






Thursday, January 8, 2009

We're back...

Didn't know I was gone, huh?

I've been here all along, but our computer was SICK. We "had" a nasty virus ever since January 2nd. I say "had", because I'm not entirely sure it's gone for good, but, at least I'm able to get on the internet now. :-)

Phew! I was going into withdrawals!

Cupcake is mostly back to her normal happy-go-lucky self. Thanks for the prayers. I think the lack of schedule over Christmas was too hard for her.


Now for a little silliness...

Pat Benatar was in town today and stopped in with her band to give me a free concert. She sang "Heartbreaker". It was an excellent rendition. I wish I had gotten a video.




Guitar Hero - Bringing families together since 2007. :-D

Blessings to you,
Mamita