My Take on Marriage

Just a little updates... since I wrote this in August of 2013...💕Gratitude to Jimmy Buffett...

     What do I think of marriage?  It's great.  That is my opinion today.  What I think most days, is it's a lot of work.  My husband will say the same.  Thankfully, it's work we both enjoy.  We had both been around enough to know that going in. It's compromises, concessions, and work to share your life with someone. It's a choice, and a privilege that not everyone gets to enjoy.  I think it takes 2, maybe more, to make it work- only 1 to make it not work.  I won't say fail, because I think if people look back on a marriage that didn't last till "death do us part",  there are still a lot of good and fun memories, and maybe even kids- so, in my opinion that's hardly failing.  

That's a choice as well, that yields its own compromises, concessions and rewards.

     I like my husband as well as love him.  

We have a lot of similarities, and quite a bit 

of differences.  The big one, politics.  For those

that James Carville's and Mary Matalin's marriage befuddles them- I can say that it does cause some debates, but we know we're never gonna change each other, (nor do we wish to) and for the most part get why the other votes the way they do and enjoy the enlightening each of us bring.  We've been together for nearly 16 years, and I can honestly say, he still makes me smile and usually laugh almost every day.  Most the time it's even intentional.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

©Susan Jaye 2013

Happy Mother's Day!    .

     Hope you all are doing great and had a great weekend! 

Repost this, in honor to my mom, Annalee ... coming upon 19 years since she passed... still miss her often, but so many great memories!  Hugs to all!

In 1994, I was fed up with Mother's Day cards.  Every card I saw, either said something snarky or sappy, and nothing came close to saying what I wanted to say.  So, I wrote one myself; a sort of poem to my mom that served as that year's card.  She loved it, and kept it in her bedside table. 

She died in 2005.  We had a wonderful and fun bond, and I will always consider her, my first great, love.
As I am a mom now, I continuously try to build a good relationship with my daughters. 
So, in honor of moms everywhere, both present, past and future I share my Mother's Day card.
For me, it's as true now, as it ever was.

To Mom
There have been countless times when I told that I loved you,
Countless times that I've thanked you for being there and being my mom.
But in case there are times when I don't or won't say it, I want you know always
What I feel in my heart.

You raised me to laugh and to sing songs on a swing set.
You opened the door to the world of make believe;
a world of Mable and Charles and Pokey the Puppy.
You protected me from the Wicked Witch of the West and the Abominable Snowman;
yet encouraged me to see that I was strong enough to face them alone.
You showed me the warmth and the comfort of a thunderstorm as well as the sun.
You held me and helped me through times of tears,
Whether it was a broken toy or a broken dream.
Then helped me to find the courage to pick up the pieces and create something new.
As I grew and life became more interesting and complicated,
You were there to share, to listen, always with an open mind and an open heart.
Because of you, I never learned to lie- I never needed to.
I knew whatever I did, no matter how it was judged by others,
It would be accepted and loved by you, for it was part of my journey to discovering me.

Through this unconditional love I have been set free. Free to live without the need for secrets to create lies, and free to love others as they are, not who I wish for them to be.
And free to be all that I can be, in each moment of my life, perfectly me.

                                                                                                Thank you, all my love.


Here are some quotes about Motherhood from different sources.

"Mothers are all slightly insane." - J.D. Salinger

"If evolution really works, why do mothers only have two hands?" -Milton Berle
(My thought on this one- Early on in when I became a mom, I thought it would be helpful to be born an octopus, giving me eight hands; till the "mommy brain" cleared, and I realized that would mean that I would have octopi as offspring, thus, defeating the purpose.  Please see: Ever Feel Like This?)

"Having kids-- the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, reponsible human beings--is the biggest job anyone can embark on." -Maria Shriver

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That's his."
- Oscar Wilde

"A mother is neither cocky, nor proud, because she knows the school principle may call at any minute to report that her child has just driven a motorcycle through the gymnasium." -Mary Kay Blakely

"Sometimes the laughter in mothering is the recognition in the ironies and the absurdities.  Sometimes, though, it's just pure, unthinking delight." -Barbara Shapiro

"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children." -Elaine Heffner


Happy Mother's Day.

Take A Moment... Then Pass it On!

**I was planning on running this post again, on account that it's been a year since Ms. Tuff's and Mr. Hill's inspiring actions.  With the death of Robin Williams, who brought so many smiles and so much laughter, over so many years; and who'll be missed by those who knew him, and so many that didn't- it seems fitting all the more. 

So, as the summer ends, and our kids head back to school, I ask again that you "take a moment, then pass it on."

Wishing all love, compassion and hope.

This was originally started Friday, August 23rd, 2013, and as suspected there is not much in the news today about what happened in Atlanta, just a week ago.  My wish is the same nonetheless, so please, take a moment to read, then pass on.  Thank you.

     As I sit down to write, I confess that I thought I would be working on another post.  A post about our Elf.  That post will be light, and I hope funny, but as important that I feel it is to strive to keep things light and funny if at all possible, I know there are more important things.  And THIS is one of them.  Not for promoting Sadie's, but I truly hope that this is the post that goes viral.  So please, take a moment to READ THIS POST, (actually approximately 4 minutes) then pass it on to EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF.

     Today, as you may know, my youngest started kindergarten.  All went well, she walked into her idyllic school full of smiles, and I for the most part, kept it together, somewhat.  I mean, after all, she is my baby, my last child, and as she walked into the school I said a little prayer, "Please keep her safe."  I am sure I am not alone.  I sit here writing, and I can't believe, how quiet, and odd it is for me to be the only one in this house.  This week was crazy busy; full of getting the last minute things for school, starting school, school activities, playdates, over tired fits, and many, many other things.  I, along with many other parents, had their hands full, and their minds going 100 different ways, that I was kind of oblivious to the rest of the world.  This includes the occurrence near Atlanta.

     I call it an "occurrence", because we have that luxury.  We were granted that luxury due to the calmness and the grace of Ms. Antoinette Tuff.  In all likelihood, that occurrence will disappear from the headlines, the 24 hour multimedia news, and our minds.  Maybe even as soon as this piece is posted.   Life goes on.  As it should.  But we have a HUGE opportunity to learn from it. 

      If you would like to hear the call, and other related material from CNN, click here, but chances are you may have heard the call, or are at least more aware of the happenings of that day than I initially was.

     In a nutshell, what she did made the difference between an occurrence and a tragedy.

She took a moment.  She remembered that the man with the AK-47 was a person.  Then she talked, and listened.  When he stated that it didn't matter, she replied "Of course it matters!"  She went on to talk with him, shared her own trying times, and let him know that she had contemplated suicide, but she didn't and now time had passed, and she was okay; and he would be too.  She made him see, what he came in to do that day, with an AK-47 and a lot of ammunition, was not his only option.  She cared enough and took a moment to make him take a moment.  Also, THANK YOU to Mr. Hill.  Yes, You matter to me as well.  It took a lot I know to acknowledge what Ms. Tuff was saying, and to give yourself up.  You showed the world amazing courage to go on.  Hopefully you get the the help you need and will be able to see past your pain and troubles at some point. You will never be thanked enough.

     What would happened if we all followed suit, to the best of our ability?

If we took a moment.  To stop, and think.  Before reacting?  When someone says something rude; a driver cuts us off, or does some heaven knows what maneuver? To not go for the jugular, when in a disagreement.  To not think in ultimatums.

 To remember, every single person begins and ends the same way.
 
To take a moment, and remember, and remind, that everyone matters.  To let your kids, your parents, your spouses, your ex spouses, your friends, know without one iota of a doubt; they matter.
   
I think everyone would agree with the statement that the world is a crazy place.  Everyone gets down sometimes, some people more than others.  Not sure if mental illness is more prevalent today, or just more recognized than it was 30 or so years ago.  There seems to be a thinner line today between normal and crazy.  This is not a judgement call, just an observation.  Believe me, I have enough of a history of mental illness in my family to know that it's closer and more common than we think.  I learned not too long ago that the very funny, talented, and I'm sure affluent, Stephen Fry admits to a time of wanting to "self slaughter."  EVERYONE has problems.

As Ms. Tuff said, "bullets don't have a name."  And they only take a moment.  And they create the final ultimatum.

Mom used to say, "Everything is temporary.  The bad as well as the good."  So hang on.  You Matter.

If you have seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, you are familiar with the optimism Dev Patel's character conveys with the line, "They say everything will be alright in the end; so if it's not all right, it's not the end."  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. 

In the last few lines of David Baldacci's Absolute Power, he shares a character's thoughts:" what a wonderful and precious commodity life was" and "how that precious commodity could be brutally ripped away."  He concludes the novel with, "But that was the great thing about being alive, he thought.  Today might not be so good.  But tomorrow, you got another chance to get it right."

What if we all took a moment?  To find grace.  Patience.  Compassion.  I believe that would matter.

Enlighten Me

      Did you hear about what a grandma and a preacher said about Frozen?
      Sounds like the intro to a joke.

      Can someone please enlighten me and tell me where oh where, in Frozen, are these parts that are turning our kids gay?  I apparently overlooked them.  Mind you, I don't worry about that, just so long as my daughters get the unconditional love for thy sister message.  That message, registered so strongly with me that I continue with my unconditional love for thy sister tirade, day in a day out still; even though we saw Frozen back in November.  I confess, felt like I'd hit the jackpot when I saw Elsa and Anna's shining examples of sisterly love. "See, how well they play together?  How nice!  They say they love each other and hug each other without anyone telling them to!  Notice, they don't hit, whine, sass, tell on each other, trade raspberries, etc. etc. etc."  That's the message I took from the movie.  As my daughters argue in the next room, I realize with a sigh to myself; it has yet to sink in with them.
     What did sink in?

Love?Hate?

This should be a quick one, because I am getting to the point of life, where I am easing up on caring about what people think of me, and instead focusing on what I think of them.

I have only one judgement of people: Do you choose to love? OR Do you choose to hate?

Saw an interview of Ricky Gervais with Charlie Rose recently.  He stated at some point during the interview that "kindness was his religion."  I confess I do not know whether or not Mr. Gervais is a man of faith.  From what I've seen, he chooses love, so he's good with me. 

I do know the world could do with a lot more kindness, regardless of religion.

Have a blessed day and be good to one another.

Oh Valentine, Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day.

Thought I'd post a quick one today, in anticipation of the next couple of busy days. 

Kids have half day of school, then parties to go to, and finishing out the weekend with a hockey game.

     I like Valentine's Day.  I like it like a kid does.  The bright reds and hot pinks are festive and help to shake the cabin fever.  The flowers remind me that someday spring will spring.  And the candy is well, great!  I'm happily married and got 2 great kids, so I guess these days it's also all about the love, as well.

     Thinking back to my younger days,  I recall 2 Valentines who decided that was the day to end our relationship.  Seriously?  Cheapos.

     To be fair, I can also remember one Valentine's Day where I received a very sweet card and flowers, only for me to call and leave the message, "Thank you for the card and flowers; we need to seriously talk."  He got the message.  Never heard from him again.  They were pretty flowers though.

     From working in the restaurant business, where it's a given that you will work on Valentine's Day; it is sometimes viewed as a sort of amateur night.  This comes from witnessing at least one of, if not all of the following during a Valentine's Day night.  
It's the pressure.

-Dates where it is obvious that it is one of if not the first date.  Both participants resemble deer in headlights, desperate to figure out what the other is hoping/anticipating, all the while making careful,...staggered,... conversation.

-Dates that are eager to impress, by either ordering the most expensive dish/wine, or something they have never tried before.  Oysters and escargot are two first time/last time culinary adventures.

-Dates who have obviously "lost that lovin' feeling."

-Dates who are obviously hungry; but not for food.  All over each other, drawing attention of all others within earshot and view.  There's really no nice and easy way to suggest that they may want to take their activities elsewhere.  That is if you can even get their attention.

-Proposals.  Sometimes sweet.  Sometimes awkward.

-Parties of more than 2, not on dates, not happy about that status, and determined to let everyone else know it.

      Keep in mind, guests that are not happy, even if the food and service are great, generally do not show monetary appreciation to their server.  Thus, amateur night.

      Yes, there are nice couples who are happy to be together as well.  Nice to be one of these, and nice to take care of in a restaurant.  No matter what day of the year.



     Hope you get to celebrate the day no matter how small, how big, with a smile and a laugh and those you love.
 

 Happy Valentine's Day.

Sadie's Gathering: Take A Moment... Then Pass it On!

Sadie's Gathering: Take A Moment... Then Pass it On!: This was started Friday, August 23rd, and as suspected there is not much in the news today about what happened in Atlanta, just a wee...

Ending the "Gay" Charade, by Jessica Mayer Herthel

     As promised today's post is a very timely and important post, "Ending the 'Gay' Charade".  I first came across this on Allison Tate's blog.  Allison asked her college friend, Jessica, to write the piece due to the timely manner in needing to explain some facts of life to her three sons.  I feel as a parent, this is something that we all need to do, for the reasons that I wrote in "Let's Talk About Sex".  When I finished that post, I knew that I didn't even scratch the surface on all I wished to express.  A few days after I posted it I read an article by Allison on Huffington Post that I liked.  Then after spending some time on her blog, came across "Ending the 'Gay' Charade".  I agreed with its message as well as found the idea of keeping it simple, to be common sense. 
Hope you enjoy it.  I think it's brilliant.

Jessica's daughters drew this in honor of this post. 

Ending the “Gay” Charade
By Jessica Mayer Herthel


“Mommy, what does ‘gay’ mean?”

“Um… uh… it means happy!  Happy and gay!  Now what should we have for breakfast?”

This message was brought to you by the Association for Nervous Parents, and sponsored by the Foundation of What Not to Do.

Parents, listen up.  This is not rocket science.  But it might hurt, just a little.

As an advocate for the safety of LGBTQ youth in schools, and a mother of three girls aged seven and under, I am often asked HOW a parent is supposed to explain “gay” to children, and more importantly WHY would they?  People sometimes give me the side-eye, as if I am up to no good, when I explain that my own kids have known about gay couples since they were toddlers.

Well stay with me here—but the truth is, the answers to both of these questions are remarkably easy.

Q: HOW do you explain gay to kids? 
A: Simply!

Q: WHY do you explain gay to kids?
A: Because you have to!

Little kids don’t know about sex.  NOR SHOULD THEY.  What they DO know about is families.  And the idea of marriage.  Because they have likely observed at least one of these concepts in their own homes, or in the social landscape at large.

So when my best male friend R was coming to meet my girls for the first time, and he was bringing along his partner of 10 years, M, I made this NOT-AT-ALL-SCARY declaration: “Girls, this is R, and this is M.  They are married just like Mommy and Daddy, and they love each other just like Mommy and Daddy.” 

Did my girls’ heads pop off?  No.  Did their eyes bug out?  No.  Did they immediately erupt into detailed questions about R and M’s personal life, and morality-laden inquiries about non-reproductive sexual conduct?  HELL NO.

Did they ask if R and M brought them presents?  Um, yes.

And that’s about it.  I think you could do this!

Put aside, for a moment, the fact that R and M are not actually married (thanks, Proposition 8).  Kids don’t ask to see marriage licenses.  Kids understand the world within their established framework, and kids understand marriage.  Marriage is a heuristic—a mental shortcut—for a greater concept.  (Take note, lawmakers pushing civil unions.)  Kids can understand that you MARRY WHO YOU LOVE.  We say this all the time in my house.  Trust me: it works.

But what if my child is older?, you ask.  What if he already knows about the birds and the bees?  How do I explain birds with birds, or bees with bees??  Help!

Again, and here I’m quoting a cranky old guy I know: “Keep it simple, stupid!”  You can say, “Obviously, two boys or two girls can’t do exactly the same things in their bedrooms as a boy and a girl do.  But you know what?  A lot of what they do is exactly the same.”  And if your kid wants to know more, and is old enough to know more, then he probably also knows about this poorly-kept secret: THE INTERNET. You’re welcome!  Direct him to an information-oriented site such as http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm to get him started, and then promise you won’t go snooping through his browser history from there.

And please don’t tell me that your religion would not approve.  Because this is not about you.  This is about living in the 21st century.  Gay is everywhere, whether you like it or not.  It’s on your tv, it’s in the President’s inaugural address, and soon it’s going to be in your schools, because gay kids end up dead when it isn’t.  You can choose not to have a gay relationship, you can disapprove of gay marriage, you can believe that gay people don’t get into heaven.  What you can NOT do, however, is tell children that gay people don’t exist.  Because willful ignorance leads to hateful ignorance.  Only one Matthew Shepard needs to die, alone and tied to a fence post, to teach us that painful fact.

There is one last reason why you need to explain gay to your kids: YOUR kid might grow up to be gay.  Go ahead: gasp, wring your hands, put your conversion therapist’s number on speed dial.  Won’t change a damn thing.  Now odds are, your child WON’T be gay: the statistical likelihood hovers at around 10%.  But will he or she have a gay friend, a gay teacher, a gay teammate, or a gay coworker one day?  You betcha.  The closet door is wide open.  LGBTQ people are taking their rightful place as American citizens in one big old gay parade. 

So the choice is yours: Do you embrace this new reality, and give your kids a straightforward, age-appropriate explanation of two people who share the same loving feelings for each other as do you and YOUR spouse?  Or do you do the dance, and change the subject, and hope like heck that all the gay people turn straight before your kid raises the dreaded subject again?

Look around you.  The world is full of difficult conversations we must have with our children.  This is not one of them.  It’s easy.  It’s love.  And it’s time.

*Jessica Mayer Herthel is the mother of 3 daughters and currently works as a consultant with the Broward County, Florida, school district.  In that role, Jessica has developed LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, approved LGBTQ-friendly books for school libraries, and drafted a handbook of best practices for principals and administrators regarding LGBTQ youth concerns.

PLEASE VISIT HRC.ORG, TO LEARN MORE AND TO FIND OUT HOW TO HELP.

Just A Drop...

      Tomorrow I will post a guest post that I have been working on and planning for a couple of weeks.  With it, I hope to help spread the compassion, understanding, and simplicity that I believe were some of the author's goals, when she first wrote it.  
       While I rarely write of my political or religious views here at Sadie's, civil rights is an issue that I believe goes beyond.  I believe they are a birthright; essential to humanity, and one thing I wish was ubiquitous.
     I once heard a metaphor that compared long struggles with a drop of water; yet over time, because of that drop of water's tenacity, it (along with a few other forces) perseveres into something extraordinary as the Grand Canyon.  Regardless of religious or political views, it is awe inspiring to say the least.
     Recently, I finished reading John Steinbeck's, Travels With Charley.  As many times as I have read it, I am always stunned at after completing, how much it still sets my wheels a turning.  Towards the end Mr. Steinbeck recounts about being present during the desegregation of what I think was the William Franz Elementary School, and witnessing Ruby Bridges as she bravely entered the school amidst "Cheerleaders" and riot like conditions.  Deeply disturbed by what he saw, he then tells about individuals that he encountered afterwards.  Quite a spectrum of thought is what he found.  Among them, an elderly white man who explains how difficult it is to change a person's feeling about something.  It's been over 50 years since that book was written, but that still rings just as true today as it did then.
      There are many things that I don't get, but leading them is the reasoning and rationality that people come up with while hindering and even hurting, other people. 
      I hope everyone finds the post to be as helpful as I did as well as a good reminder to keep it simple sweetheart.  After all, love is love. 
    

Happy Summer! Ratatouille!

How was your first day of summer?

On the home front, we started off summer with a nice summer rain.  To follow all the nice spring rains that we've had.

So, for the start of summer, I got to making a dish that I make every summer, ratatouille.

If you are not familiar with the dish it is a French Provencal dish that began a long long time ago.  Touiller mean to shake or toss food well.   So, while I have seen recipes where the ingredients are layered and look lovely, reminiscent of Remy's concoction in the Pixar film Ratatouille, my recipe that follows is not one of those.  As long as this dish has been around, I seriously doubt that the peasants who created it, fussed that much either.  Don't get me wrong -it is a labor of love, but other than simple chopping of veggies, and allowing 3-4 hours for creating, it need not be a soul wrenching endeavor.

This recipe makes about 6 quarts.  So, put some in the freezer to enjoy in the winter when you need
a French Provencal pick me up; or give a quart or so to the neighbor and make friends for life. 

You will need the following:

2 pounds of Eggplant
2 pounds of Tomatoes peeled, (or you can use 2  -16 oz. cans of diced tomatoes)
2 pounds of onions (they can be mixed- I use sweet and red)
2 pounds of peppers- green, red, yellow, orange or whatever color strikes your fancy
2 pounds of zucchini and yellow squash - 2 of each.
1/4- 1/2cup of extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste- more in a bit on this
2 Bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4-6 cloves of garlic minced

Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Before going forward let me add that this is a forgiving dish, meaning that you can't go wrong.
I have made it for several years, and even though I am a meat lover, with this dish, I always entertain the thought of becoming vegetarian.

First wash and chop eggplant into 3/4" chunks; place in large collander and toss with 1 tablespoon of Kosher salt.  Let set an hour.  After this hour,  rinse and place eggplant on baking sheet. Bake at 425 F for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes turn off oven and let eggplant rest in over till time to add to dish.

During the time where the eggplant is in the salt, or oven, go ahead with the rest of the dish.

Chop onions.  In a 6qt pot, heat 2 TBL of EVOO ; once warm (medium heat) add onions.  Stir to coat with oil, then cover and cook for 25 minutes.  Then remove from pot and keep them in a large mixing bowl or another pot.  Next, the peppers, chop then cook them in the same manner as the onions. After they're done, add them to the onion bowl/pot.  Then cook zucchini and squash for 10 minutes.

At the same time you are cooking onions, start the tomato portion.
If you are peeling tomatoes, heat medium sauce pot filled with water to boil.  Keep tomatoes on vine and after cutting an "X" on the bottum of each immerse in boiling water for 30 seconds or so.  Since you have them on the vine you can do this pretty quickly.  After immersion in boiling water, remove and place in bowl with ice water to stop cooking.  Skins should peel off easily.  Then chop tomatoes.
Use the same pot you boiled water in, (dump water) cook tomatoes, a dash of sugar, the bay leaves, thyme, and minced garlic for about 25 minutes over medium heat.  If you are using canned tomatoes, cook with dash of sugar, bay leaves, thyme and garlic, for about 25 minutes.

Time to put together:

Add onions and peppers, back to the pot with the zucchini and squash.  Then add the eggplant, and the tomato mixture.  Cook all together for 15- 30 minutes uncovered over medium heat.  Garnish with fresh basil.

The uses for this are boundless.  I like it over cous cous with a little goat cheese  as a side to chicken, lamb, or beef- burgers or steak.  Also, it's good hot or cold; mixed in with scrambled eggs, or put in a quiche shell, top with whatever cheese you like and voila! A lunch dish that's great for a friends' luncheon. 

Hope you enjoy it and have fun experimenting.

Today is a sunny summer day, so we'd best get out to enjoying it.

A bientot!  (see you soon)

S.

The Graduation Poem

       I wrote this in 1986 when I was graduating high school.  I don't think I finished it till the summer, so I don't think I had the opportunity to share it with many friends.  I loved high school, and I remember being sad, about leaving and nervous about starting the next chapter of life.  The uncertainty of what would happen when close friends who had seen me through so much, scattered.  I am blessed to be able to say that I am still in touch with many of them.
      As graduation rolls around again, I thought I would share it here on Sadie's.  Hope you enjoy.

The Graduation Poem

The friendship we share today is true,

Though tomorrow is whose to say;

When we leave this little town of ours

And go our separate ways.

Both tears and laughter we have shared

Yet we have many songs left to sing

But when it's over and we say goodbye

I wish for you these things: 

To see the wonder of the sunrise

Have your heart beat the rhythm of the rain

To have a day that brings to you

Tears of joy not pain.

To see the twinkle in the stars at night

And the glitter of the morning dew.

To feel the happiness of being the child

That will always be inside of you.

To find the freedom to be yourself

To snooze beneath the shade of trees,

With only the whistling of the birds above

And the gentle whisper of a summer's breeze.

To feel the magic of a moonlit sky

To find a lover in a friend

And to find your happiness along the way

And just not at the rainbow's end.

- S. Lowe 1986

     
Happy Graduation to the Class of 2015! Wishing you every happiness as you embark on the
next chapter.  May your future be bright.

Why I Was An Only Child...

An homage to my friends and family...

Right now I am scrambling to get the crazy May holidays up and then I realize it is Brothers and Sisters Day.

I planned for this to be a longer post, but as you all know "life" comes up.

I was an only child.  So, by definition I had no siblings and was spoiled rotten.

True to definition, I have been spoiled rotten.

I have family; aunts, uncles and cousins, that were more like extra moms and dads and siblings.
To the point that the grown ups needed to separate us at holiday dinners so we wouldn't giggle the whole meal through.  One cousin is very close to me in age, and when we were young we had frequent sleepovers.  I still smile as I remember Mom storming into my room yet again, "GIRLS GO TO SLEEP NOW!!!  Too bad Mom didn't live to read Adam Mansbach's book, about going to sleep.  I know she would've gotten a kick out of it.  Then there is my cousin who had the happy job of always taking us trick or treating; of course she would not have wanted to be anywhere else.  There's too many fun and funny memories to share.  I love them all.

Someone once said, "Friends are the family you choose."

So, I hope it suffices for me to say "thank you," to all of my friends who have "stepped up to the plate" and been there over the years.  I know that I am blessed to have several people I can call at that "ungodly hour".

During my mom's last year, I spent more than half of that year in WV.   I stayed at the house where I grew up, with only the company of my newborn daughter,  my crazy dad, and my mom, whenever she was home from the hospital.  Later I would learn that my dad was under the demise of dementia.  My husband was over 2000 miles away in CA.   If it wasn't for the regular calls from my 'sisters", (my group of friends that I've known for 20-30 years each, who are scattered throughout the nation) - I'm not sure how I would have coped.  Even now, when I look back it seemed they were on a schedule to check on me.  It wouldn't surprise me either way.

For the one who I talk to as often as we can, who dares me to live, and has gotten me into trouble more than once I might add- although that was years ago-  Love ya.

I have always considered myself an only child in name only.

Happy Brothers and Sisters Day.  I hope your blessings are as plenty.

S.

Happy Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, I decided to get my crafty on...

I have been workin' on Sadie's about every day, but haven't posted in a week.

So, I decided just to stop in and let you know if you are stoppin' by, what's the latest.

The newest addition is The Recipes.  As described, these will be recipes that I find to be easy and great.  The first one is Best Cake Doughnuts.  If you have never had a homemade doughnut, I strongly suggest you give these a whirl.  I grew up with them and along with the yumminess of them, they pack a lot of great memories.  I lost my mom in 2005, and it took until this year for me to attempt to make these delicious treats.  I admit, working with hot oil was a little daunting to me, so I covered myself with clothing along with 2 oven mitts, to protect myself from potential popping oil.  I also had on hand the salt container to put out a potential grease fire (NEVER USE WATER!)  I am happy to report, neither precaution has been needed in the 3 times I've made these.  The recipe makes 18 to 24, and between, my 2 daughters, husband and self, the doughnuts are gone within 48 hours.

I will try to add one new recipe a week.

As I have mentioned before, I am still trying to figure out what, how, and if I can do all that I have imagined for Sadie's Gathering.

I have tried to keep up with the month and keep ahead of the holidays... lots of fun and funny days to celebrate.  Also, as promised there's been a couple of additions to Words of Wisdom  and Liste des Bete Noire.
 
So, back to the gettin' my crafty on-

The heart pictured at the top I made with cardboard, glue, and tissue paper.  It was something I had in mind, so I sat down a few evenings ago and went to work.  It was a little time consuming, but I just put some good music on, had a nice glass of wine, and voila!  Needless to say, it was done after bedtime was complete for my kids.

My other craft was Crayon Hearts done with crayon shavings and wax paper.  I saw these on Martha Stewart's website, and thought it sounded easy and fun.  I thought they turned out cute/good enough for a first time, but I will probably do a little more research before doing them again.  I'll probably try to do shamrocks, for St. Pat's, and Easter eggs, and flowers for Easter.

Here's my attempt-

If you go to www.marthastewart.com, you will find the directions for how to do these.

If you are interested in how to do the Tissue Paper Heart, leave a comment here, or send me an email at sadiesgathering@gmail.com, and I will add directions.  I am thinking of adding a "Get Your Crafty On" to the lists.  Please let me know your thoughts on this.  Thank you in advance.

I know from my group of friends, family, and acquaintances, Valentine's Day holds many meanings.  For me, it's always been "all about the love".   I can't say that phrase without thinking about an Ed Burns film, (Brothers McMullen or She's The One).  Whether, it's a lover, friend, parent, or child, it's about taking the time to connect with and enjoy one another; regardless if you live close to one another or thousands of miles apart.  It's about that connection we feel with the people that matter most in our life.  Take the time to let them know.  Take the time to enjoy the day.

Then...

tomorrow is Singles Awareness Day;  and that's a whole other ballgame.

Speaking of which,  pitchers and catchers have reported in most cases, and I for one can't wait to hear that sweet, sweet phrase, "Play Ball!"