How About a Winter Vacation?

Since I live in a very warm climate sometimes I long to take a nice winter getaway. It would be great to go somewhere where the seasons actually change and the weather is brisk.

When my kids were small, we only took a summer Family Vacation. I always wondered what it would have been like for my kids to take ski vacations. I can imagine them throwing snowballs and making a snowman. They became very adept at water skiing and swimming but never winter sports.

There are so many wonderful resorts and lodges across the country. For instance, Vermont Hotels provide a magical winter holiday getaway. People can find something close to home so a long weekend could be a great chance to take the family on a wonderful outing or spend a week or two having fun on the slopes.

Many resorts offer family packages, couple’s retreats and corporate package deals for business trips. Some have private condominiums while others have luxury suites. In addition, if you are like me and you do not know how to ski, most lodges will offer beginning ski lessons to make the adventure a memorable one.

My kids are all grown now, but I would not mind taking a winter holiday with Corvette even if was to sit by a warm fire and watch the snow fall. Yes, I think it is time to find the snow boots.

Looking Forward to Saturday

This Saturday we will plant a tree for our Lolly Pop Kid. Our family and Tango's family will gather at our home and together we will plant an orange tree for Lolly.

I prayed to God that the weather would be a little cooler since the temperature has been around 106 degrees. I mean I really prayed. I just want everyone to be comfortable.  However, I did not ask for a hurricane. We do not get full-force hurricanes where we live but we do get some nasty storms from them. So I am hoping the weather will be nice and not drench us with rain all day on Saturday.

I am happy about receiving this photo. There is a woman in Australia writes the names of Angel children in the sand on a beach. She then photos them at sunset and uploads them to her blog. The pictures are absolutely beautiful. I cried when I say Lolly's photo. There appears to be a red halo over the sun. As I have said before, Lolly had wonderful flaming red hair. So everyone attending the tree planting will receive one of these photos. I think it will be a lovely addition.

Fingernails and Broccoli Salad: My Youngest Son's Wedding

My baby got married on Saturday, February 21st, 2009. It was a small intimate affair with just family and a few close friends. It was at the home of the bride's (Flower Child) mother E and stepfather J. Their house is in a rural area in the desert southwest and truly was the perfect setting. The bride's stepfather is an ordained minister who officiated the ceremony and the bride's mother served as her matron of honor. The groom's older brother, LCpl Honda served as best man.

We all arrived caravan style at the home of the bride's mother E. Me and Corvette, LCpl Honda, Cinderella, Tango, Butterfly, LollyPop Kid, Grandma M and Grandpa Dingdon. We met E and J and they made us feel so comfortable. The house was decorated in pink and white rose petals and there was a beautiful altar in the Arizona room complete with candles and flowers.

Soon Corvette and I were seated in the front row with Grandma and Grandpa behind us followed by Cinderella and Tango. Hippy Guy's (the Groom) best friends from childhood and Butterfly filled in the other side.

The music started and we all waited in anticipation of the arrival of the bride. She soon emerged on the arm of her stepfather aka minister (dual role) and I could see the emotion on her face. I turned to look at my son and I saw the happiness in his eyes. The ceremony began and I had worried that would be a blubbering ninny but to my surprise, oh yes there were tears rolling out of both me and Corvette!

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, especially their personal vows. My son was so eloquent and my daughter-in-law was so incredible and funny. My heart took a picture!

After the ceremony we all hugged and just felt the love. The reception was fun. We danced and ate and drank a bit. I watched my son and his bride dance. We even had a Conga line led by Butterfly and with the big, bad Marine bringing up the rear! I saw Tango and Cinderella dancing a bit and I know I want to see more of that! LollyPop kid gorged on baby carrots. Hippie Guy's best friends from childhood told so many jokes that we were all in stitches. When the bride and groom were feeding each other cake, the bride's fingernail came off in the groom's mouth! It was so funny and yes we have pictures!

You are probably wondering what broccoli salad has to do with anything. Well, I was supposed to bring it to the wedding and guess what? Yep, I forgot it at my house. But, I do digress, there was a lot of people at my house and hey at least it wasn't the rings!

I feel very blessed. My baby got married. God bless you Hippie Guy and Flower Child!

XOXOXOXOXO

The morning of the wedding. Time to say, "See you soon my love!"

Ok. Yes this is my Marine. The night before dancing the Jig. OMG there is video too!

The great tie dilema. Thank God Tango finally saved the day!

Grandma M helping Big B with his shirt.

LollyPop Kid was done before we even started!

Grandma M, Butterfly & Grandpa DingDon

Grandpa DingDon & Butterfly

Me & Butterfly

The alter at the wedding site

Can you believe there is a spa behind that? Beautiful setting.

A view from behind, Grandma M, Grandpa DingDon, Cinderella & Tango

The paparazzi aka Hippie's best friends from childhood and Butterfly.

Waiting for the Bride. My Boys, Hippie Guy and his best man LCpl Honda

Ahh, the Bride and her stepfather also known as the Minister!
Let the Wedding Begin!

Reciting his vows. So eloquent! My son is a poet and I didn't know it!

Reciting her vows. So beautiful and funny! I have a new daughter!

More vows and exchanging of the rings.


Lighting the Unity Candle.

You may kiss the Bride!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Hippie Guy!

The toast.

The Cake.

Oops, honey there is a fingernail in my mouth!



The Dance.

Let me just say that my son's wedding was a wonderful, intimate affair. Everyone was so happy and we all had a great time. This was a very special day for Corvette and I.

Our hearts took many pictures.

Veterans's Day

I choose to start my blog today because I think it is important not to forget to Honor our Veterans. From young to old, of many different wars and conflicts they all deserve our thanks and honor. I want to send special thanks and greetings to the Veteran’s in my family: Grandpa Dingdon, former Navy Corpsman and Cinderella, former Army MP.

A little about me. I’m married to Corvette and we have three grown children, Lcpl Honda, Cinderella & Hippie Guy. I will elaborate a little more on our children and their lives in another post. I also have two grandchildren. Butterfly and Lollypop Kid and I love, love, love being Grandma!!! Cinderella lives with her significant other and he is Tango and is the big version of Lollypop Kid. Hippy Guy lives with his significant other Flower Child and they live in Tucson. Lcpl Honda is unattached at the moment and is stationed at Camp Pendleton. I live in Tucson Arizona and I absolutely love it here. Ahh, yes it is a dry heat but I will take that over shoveling snow any day. My sister is Crafty and her husband is Speedracer and are in Arizona also. My nephew is Cpl Red and is currently in the sandbox on his second tour of duty. Oorah! My parents are Grandpa Dingdon and Grandma M and live in Tucson also. Oh and I can’t forget to mention my babies, Buddy my long-haired chihuahua and Angelina (Angie for short) my mutt cat. Oh yes these are their real names. No security or privacy problems here. I have many stories about the escapades of these two so stay tuned.

Corvette and I just purchased a new home that we had built. I can honestly say it was one of the most stressful things we have ever done but the house is beautiful. We are still unpacking and looking for the things we can’t find. Can somebody invent a machine that finds lost items when you move? My new neighbors want to borrow when we are through with it. Case in point. Corvette asked for twist ties.
Me, “Uh, I can’t find them”.
Him, “Oh come on, you have to have twist-ties”.
Me, “Uh, I have some I just can’t find them”
Him, “Ok, just give me the loaf of bread”.
My bread is now twist-tie less. Trust me this phenomenon is not exclusive to twist-ties. It also applies to hair crème, socks and my Buddy’s beloved baby (a gutted porcupine dog toy). Well, more to come on the moving experience.

I am going to close now. Wish me luck on this little blog of mine.

Follow the link in the title for an awesome tribute to our Veterans.