(43-276) Food Tidings

There are numerous reasons that I consider myself to be a profoundly, blessed woman; and amongst them, I include each and every one of my phenomenal friends.  Since my parents passed away when I was a teen and I had little to no interaction with my extended family; my friends have always been extraordinarily important to me, and I cherish them all.

Although I've mentioned several of my friends in previous posts, you know that there are certain local friends of mine that you hear about more often than others; and one of them, is my amazing friend, Mari.   I've dedicated a number of blogs to extolling Mari's virtues and raving about her talents and trust me when I tell you that I've only addressed the tip of the iceberg.

I last mentioned Mari when I wrote "Oh Scrappy Day!!!" I explained that Mari couldn't join us at the scrapbook convention because her 18 year old daughter had to have surgery just two days prior and she was still in the hospital.  I wrote that post on April 16, and sadly, Mari's daughter has yet to leave the hospital.  Incredible mom that she is, Mari has barely left her side; but she does still have a husband and three other children at home.  I have extended myself to Mari and her family, as I would do anything to try and make things easier for them at this time; but to date Mari has asked for nothing other than her friend's prayers.

I've felt useless.  I've wanted to find a way to help and thanks to Mari's friend Cheryl, I now know how to.  A few days ago I received an email from Cheryl (who I don't know,) and it was an invitation to sign up on Food Tidings so that we could provide meals to Mari's family in her absence.  Foodtidings.com is "a place to manage meals for your family & friends in need!"  It was "designed to help eliminate some of the time and confusion in coordinating a meal schedule;"  and I was so happy to receive an invitation to assist Mari, and her family; until I experienced the discombobulation that I referenced in "ROYALLY Messed Up..."

I was so eager to participate, that I signed up for the first available date, which happened to be the third date on the list.  I knew that my schedule for the next two weeks was going to be a lil busier than usual but I really thought that I would be able to provide dinner on Tuesday 5/3, so I signed up to bring roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and a vegetable.  A while later when I went to write this down on my refrigerator calendar, I was dismayed to discover that bringing a dinner on Tuesday would be an impossibility for me, because both Nicky and Lyndzi are scheduled for Orthodontist appointments at 330 and Lyndzi and Kelsie both have a school concert at 6.  I was very embarrassed about my error and I mustered up the courage to email Cheryl to see if she could switch days with me so that I could bring a meal on Monday (when she was scheduled to.)  Cheryl was very nice when she emailed me back, but she said that she was confused because the family had not requested a meal for Monday since they were going out to eat for Mari's other daughter's birthday.  I apologized profusely for my mistake and for coming off unbelievably flaky; and I told her that I would just schedule a different day.  Sure enough, when I checked the sign-up sheet again, I found that even though Cheryl had signed up for the first date, it wasn't May 2, it was April 28th.  AGHHH!  I'm not comfortable with being so inattentive.  And yes, I know that I'm trying to do a good thing and I didn't make a mistake on purpose, and I should cut my self some slack; but this is me we're talking about, and I just don't do that.  Anyway, I removed my May 3rd menu and selected another day, on which I'll bring Baked ziti with ground beef, salad and bread. 

In the big scheme of things, my little goof up isn't worth a second thought compared to what Mari and her family are going through.  I have such admiration for their strength, courage and love; and it will be my pleasure to bring them meals and lend my support any way that I can.

Although many of you only know Mari through my blog; I'm going to ask that you all say a prayer for her and her family, as there is great strength in numbers.  As always, in the interest of (say it with me,) "The Greater Good," I encourage you to visit Foodtidings.com if you know someone who is in need of the comfort of a meal.
Till next time..
Queen of EVERYTHING  

(43-66) He's Still The ONE!

Since Luis and I had such a short courtship before getting married; we wanted to make sure that we had a solid marriage before we started having children. When we got pregnant with Nicky, we had planned to have Luis' youngest sister, Erica come to live with us to help take care of Nicky while we worked; but the U.S. government advised me that I couldn't bring her over to be our nanny, as there were enough qualified, Americans who could do the job. Instead of looking for alternate childcare, Luis and I chose to work opposite schedules so that WE could care for Nicky, and subsequently Lyndzi and Kelsie as well.

For 8 years, Luis and I worked opposite shifts. Monday through Wednesday, I'd met him at my office at 315; then he'd take the kids home and I worked till 830pm or so. On Thursday and Friday when Luis was off, I'd work 12 hours per day to make up for my shorter days; and then Luis would work on Saturday and Sunday. This schedule didn't afford us much time together; and the only way we could have a full day off together was if one (or both) of us, took a vacation or sick day.

In the summer of 2007, in preparation for having 2 school aged children,  I requested to work from home; and my employers agreed.  The schedule was to remain the same in as much as on Luis' day's off I was expected to go into my office; but in the fall of 2007 when Luis got very ill; my employers were amazingly, cooperative and allowed me to remain at home all week, as Luis couldn't be left alone. As Luis recovered, it became evident that it really wasn't necessary for me to go into the office on both Thursday AND Friday; and my boss agreed that I could come in on Friday only. With this new schedule in place, Luis was able to change his schedule to have Friday's and Saturday's off; which then gave our family an entire day together; which was delightful.

In October of 2009 my employer informed me (and several others;) that we were going to need to cut back our hours from 40 to 32 per week; and since this was a hardship; they allowed us to choose which day we wanted to take off without pay; and I chose Friday.

As much as it's been a challenge to make do without the additional pay, I have to say that I think the time is has afforded Luis and I to spend alone together, has been priceless. On Friday mornings I get the kids off to school and then we have 7 hours to enjoy each other's company; to be a couple, and to focus on each other.

Earlier this week I was looking for the documents that I wrote about misinterpreting in "So HAPPY To Be Wrong;" and I came across all kinds of old pictures. Some of me, when I was just a couple of years old; and some early pictures of Luis and I; like the one pictured above. When I first looked at the pictures, I was struck by how young Luis had looked when we'd met; and although I thought that he was HOT STUFF then; I can honestly say that my man has aged well!  Even though I'm not a wine drinker; I do know that fine, wine improves with age and I can say that Luis has too.  Luis has become more handsome with each passing year and he never ceases to amaze me.

I sat across the table from Luis today, feeling so fortunate that HE is my husband; because not only is he smart and compassionate and funny; but I still find him unbelievably attractive. Despite the pounds that we've both put on, regardless of the grey hair and age lines; we still seem to be more in love and in tune with each other, than ever.

Luis and I had fallen in love at first sight; and sixteen years later; we're still smitten. There is no other that I would choose to share my life with, my strife with, my love with. We come from such extremely different places and upbringings that we compliment each other nicely and yet in the most important ways, we are very much alike. We have three extraordinary, children who seem to be the very best of what we are; and I relish the time that we get to spend alone to reminisce and plan and revel.

It's just like I wrote in "My Something Special;" "Luis and I have a love that's beyond compare." That's not to say that it's perfect;  because nothing is - but I can proudly say that he's still the ONE; and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING