master"PIECES" of my LIFE

I Have A Dream...

I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

friggatriskaidekaphobia

the fear of friday the 13th.  and you thought i was yelling obscenities, huh?

frigga - name of the norse godess whom friday is named after

triskaidephobia - fear of the # 13

13 has the "luck" to come after the # 12 which is considered the # for completeness,  twelve months of the year, twelve hours of the clock, twelve gods of olympus, twelve tribes of israel, twelve apostles of jesus, the 12 descendants of muhammad imams, etc., leaving "13" as transgressing this completeness and being irregular.

friday has been considered unlucky since the 14th century, making it an unlucky day to start new journeys or begin new projects (good to know).  since the 1800s friday has been associated with disasters, like stock market crashes and other disasters.  it has also been suggested that friday has been considered an unlucky day because, according to christian scripture and tradition, jesus was crucified on a friday.

approximately 17 to 21 million people in the usa are affected by the fear of friday the thirteenth.  some people go to the extreme of not carrying on their usual tasks, taking flights, or even getting out of bed.  it's been estimated that $800-$900 million are lost in business in the usa on this day.

as highly superstitious as i am (won't walk under a ladder, avoid black cats crossing my path, toss salt over my left shoulder when spilt, etc.) friday the thirteenth does nothing for me.  i guess it means i should get out of bed and carry on.

thank you wikipedia for this wealth of information and since i can't post without a picture.....this make me a pretty lucky gal any day of the week:

 

 

 

 

january random facts

January is named after the Roman god Janus, who was always shown as having two heads.  He looked back to the last year and forward to the new one.  The Roman New Year festival was called the Calends, and people decorated their homes and gave each other gifts.

Garnet is the gemstone for January.  Garnet extracts negative energy from the body and promotes health.  It is a powerful stone for putting “force” behind creativity that leads to action and results.  Garnet aids in the process of self-discovery by integrating one’s experiences and emotions with the intellect.  When worn or carried, garnet can provide protection and vitality.  Garnet has been called the “Stone of Commitment.”  It facilitates loyalty and comitment both in relationships and to tasks.

Carnations are the January flower, representing pride, beauty, admiration and gratitude, fascination, distinction, divine love, woman. The carnation’s multilayered, feathery soft petals conceal a hardy core – an appropriate paradox for this January flower. 

January is one of seven months with the length of 31 days.

January on average is the coldest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere where it's the 2nd month of winter and the warmest month of the year in the Southern Hemisphere where it's the 2nd month of summer.

Capricorn is the zodiac sign through January 20th followed by Aquarius for the balance of the month. 

Well, I can tell you all this, but I still can't tell you what my one little word for 2012 is.  If you have one please share maybe it will inspire me.

 

 

merry, happy, feliz....

merry christmas

happy new year

feliz dia de los reyes

hello 2012!

i thoroughly enjoyed the holiday season and felt like i was actually  "present" through it all (probably one of the reasons i didn't post on here as it all happened).

christmas was a success & everyone pretty much enjoyed themselves.

we rang in the new year at our friend's caroline & hywel's home.

and for the first time los reyes magos (the 3 kings) made it to our home.  the kids put out their shoes on january 5th and the morning of the 6th they found their treasures; gold (itunes card), myrrh (cotton candy) and frankincense (football cards/light up sketchers).  of course the kids were over the moon with even more gifts but i was happy to bring this tradition into my family.  i grew up celebrating los reyes magos and they might have even been more important than papa noel even (santa claus) so happy to share this little part of me with them.  i know if my parents were here they would want it this way.

and looking at the year ahead, i'm left pondering what i would like my one little word for 2012 to be......  

 

santa baby~

visited the big guy in the red suit and as a bonus this year we also saw mrs. claus.  the kids are fully aware that it's really not "santa" but simply a man that looks like him dressed in a santa suit spreading the magic of christmas 'cuz santa is waaaaay too busy.  phew, still believe in the main guy even if the mall guy is being called out.  and what makes mommy happy?  that my kids are still excited to take a picture with santa, whoever he might be.

the santa visit was bundled with a jaunt to the movies and we checked out the muppets at sebastian's persistent request.  the kids loved it, mommy & daddy not so much.  all the cameos and guest star appearances was the best part if that gives you any indication.  but we can check it off the list and move on to the next thing.

the kids are home on winter break and they both had great christmas joy in the classroom on the last day of school.  mrs. donovan, lexi's teacher, always does a potluck from around the world.  super yummy and we made faina from uruguay.  

lexi and some of her gal pals.  they don't have any fun at all!  

sebastian's teacher, ms. miranda, played a movie for the kids to chillax w/ hot chocolate & treats.  perfect for a bunch of 4th graders.  they loved it!

{ho ~ ho ~ ho}

oh, christmas tree!

it's been up for a couple of weeks now & every time i look at it makes me smile.  it went up with everyone's help this year; truly a family affair.

{{{ luv }}}




 

paris flea market

so my second month with the paris flea market was this past weekend.  once again crazy busy.  this time i sold more than last time.  of course i still want to sell more next time.  so much fun it hardly seems like work to me.

can't wait for next month!

goodbye november

so fall has come & gone and it is officially winter wonderland time.  here are the things our family was grateful for this thanksgiving season:

we all picked something we're thankful for although when we read them they really apply to the whole family.  this is the order they are written: maryjo, lexi, sebi & matt.

as has become tradition we headed to south carolina to celebrate our thanksgiving.  for the first time the weather cooperated & it was absolutely beautiful.  we had some football on the beach:

lexi really got into it.  and of course the boys were all over it.  fun, Fun, FUN!  we had lots of goofiness.

some grandparent love:

and of course for the main event:

AND of course we always have to try for that family christmas card photo...

you'll see one of these or a variation of one on our christmas card this year.  we're getting our tree tomorrow & i'll be decorating all weekend.  the season is upon us!

july recall

july was full of summer camp activities.

lexi took a week long cheer camp & a girl scout camp, which was also a week long.  she loved both of them (of course).  there's not much lexi girl doesn't love.

sebastian of course participated in a couple different baseball camps.  and he went through a phase where all he loved to do was slide head first.  he would even do it in our hallway at home.  it made laundry that much more fun, but it was worthy it to see that smile when he pops up after a perfect slide.  with all the practice i have to admit he did perfect it.  

and it wouldn't be july without a good 'ole 4th of july celebration.   we attended the parade downtown with some friends as usual and then hopped between two different parties.

well that brings my blog up to speed and i can forge ahead feeling complete & content. 

we'll be leaving in a couple of days for south carolina to celebrate thanksgiving w/ grandma & grandpa and once we get back it's christmas craziness.  i can't wait!  i love the holidays.  decorating, baking, sharing, celebrating....  

 

happy birthday honey!

my husband, best friend, father of my children, confidant, and so much more celebrates another year of life today.  unfortunately he's in phoenix until friday so we wait to celebrate together and give him birthday hugs & kisses until then.

looking forward to 40 plus more honey!  xoxo