Would It One Day Matter?

I don't like a lot of things I would actually say my hate for certain things is on an even keel with things I love. This blog post is about one of the things I hate is uncaring, unfeeling people.

Living in a college town has been very challenging for me, I should write a book on my adventures. We live in a very nice part of town and we don't have many students in our area. The students that do live here I think are more in the graduate school level, so we are not witness to many parties or late night shenanigans.

At the end of the school year our dumpster becomes a treasure trove. I am literally left speechless as to what is thrown away. Many of the items I take to the Vina Moses Center and many other items we keep. T has scored brand new clothes, an office chair, Oakley sunglasses, Pioneer sound system, coffee table, DVD's, books and I recently scored an awesome Dyson vacuum cleaner. I have the entire family involved now in dumpster hunting.

Yesterday I found this recipe binder in the dumpster. It looked new as the plastic wrapping was semi attached.  When I opened the binder my heart sank. One of the college girls who moved out threw this away. This binder of recipes was lovingly put together for her by her grandmother. Every recipe had a story. This must have taken a lot of time and effort to put together. It was a gift to her in 2010 and one that was never used.

I don't follow this person on Twitter, but I know who she is. I was thinking of keeping the binder and one day if she ever posts that her grandmother has passed away I would send her the binder. Would she  even care?

A few weeks ago I spent time with my cousins on the East Coast. I picked my Aunts brains for all her recipes and wrote them down and they are now in a database of family recipes. Over the years I have collected everything that my Mother bakes and creates as I want those to be passed down to future generations.

I am sad that this girl didn't care enough to save this binder and that she couldn't see all the time and effort that was put into making this for her. Judging by the letter in the front of the binder her grandmother was very involved in her life.

When I see things like this I have the itch on the bottom of my feet to go into Ninja Bitch mode. I hope that one day she will realize what she threw away. I guess until then the only person important to her is the one she sees in the mirror.

How very sad.

Are you able to help on World Oceans Day?

Beverly Beach, Oregon

Have you noticed lately the increase of emails and phone calls from various non-profit organizations asking for donations? My heart always gets heavy when I have to repeat the phrase "We are unable to give at this time." I know that many of you are in the same position. Times are tough for everyone and as the purse strings tighten many non-profits struggle to make ends meet.

Through Twitter I met Rob Williams and Erin Ashe with Oceans Initiative. They do some pretty amazing work and as Bear ventures out into the world of Marine Biology I have seen the sacrifices that Rob, Erin and many others make to help those that are unable to speak.

For World Oceans Day Aeroplan's Beyond Miles Program has made it easy for all of us to give and all it will cost you is your time. All that you have to do is submit your own beautiful whale photographs or drawings here and Shoutlet and Aeroplan will take care of the rest. For every picture or drawing submitted Aeroplan will donate 1,000 miles to Oceans Initiative. The promotion will run over the Oceans Day weekend, from 7th to10th June 2013.

The miles will make it possible for the Oceans Initiative researchers get to the field to collect data, fly to conferences to present their research and conservation work and bring research assistants and scientific leaders to work with them. Please spread the word on Twitter, Facebook and through your own blogs.

Thank you Aeroplan for making it possible for us to give, to Oceans Initiative for all that you do and to my blog and Twitter friends for your support.

Chasing Kites.

Picture does the kite no justice.

I am currently visiting family who live on the East Coast. On Sunday my cousin took me to Rhode Island for a day visit. My Gorgeous cousin (who will be now referred to as just Gorgeous) has equally gorgeous and adorable little ones. Adorabalicious is 2 years old and CutiePatootie is 1.

A well choreographed ballet.

As our day was ending and we were driving around the waterfront we saw these amazing colorful kites been flown. We stopped and watched as the three kites performed a flawless ballet routine. It was breathtaking.

As soon as they were unbuckled from their car seats Adorabalicious starting running around with a fierce intent on completing his mission. To catch the kites tail.

Adorabalicious chasing the kites

As one of the kites swooped down the tail touched Adorabalicious and he couldn't contain his delight. When I look at the following picture I can hear all over again his immense joy and giggles.

I love this kid.

It takes a two year old to remind us that sometimes we just need to relax, stop taking life so seriously and go chase kites . There is no greater gift we can give ourselves than a good old, doubled over, knee slapping, hiccup inducing, belly laugh.

21 Years Ago Today.

My life changed. T was born at 4:15am, weighing 4lbs 9 oz and was 18 inches long.

First time I got to see my baby.

T, you are an amazing young man.

Your kindness and compassion sets you apart from so many others your age. I love how you question everything, okay maybe not when I am telling you to do something and you want to know the benefit of said chore.

You have an intuition that I wish I had at your age and your knowledge on the most random stuff is quite mind blowing.

Go take on the world. Live your life to the fullest every day. Yes, there will be hiccups along the way and I know that you will get through them with your attitude and tenacity.

Follow your dreams, take chances and risks, but remember to have clean underwear on when you do.

Thank you for teaching me so much these past 21 years. We have got through some tough times together and when they got unbearable you were there to say "I love you Mom"

I love how you still give me great big hugs and a kiss after dinner each night to say thank you, but then you do the eye roll when I point to the dishwasher and that is when I love being your Mom the most.

Happy, happy birthday T. Now let's get ready to visit Rogue and have a beer.

With love,
Always
Mom

Life is Good.

You know that all is right with the world when you walk into your happy place aka Left Coast Cellars and you are given this...

Left Coast Cellars 2011 White Pinot Noir

Ivy, Molly, Carolynn and Judy ~ Thank you so much for this very thoughtful gift to help me progress through my recovery of surgery. This beats a bouquet of flowers any day. Your kindness is one of the reasons you make Left Coast Cellars my happy place. ~