Flowers and More Flowers

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I went to Stacey’s to see if they had anything I could use for the wedding. The stores are closing so I got the name and number of the owner to see if I we can negotiate a better pricing if we buy in quantity.

On a separate note, Nancy called me to tell me that Abby, Camille and Paige are finalists in the Chick Fil’A competition. So congrats girls! Look forward to the finals!

Thought of the day:

“Never losing faith, we waited through the many years of struggle to achieve our rights. But women weren’t just waiting: women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal. For our daughters and our granddaughters, today we have broken the marble ceiling. For our daughters and our granddaughters now the sky is the limit. Anything is possible for them.

(Nancy Pelosi, in her first speech to Congress

after her election as the first woman Speaker of the House)

I would like to add to this thought the following:

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting,

poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

(John Adams, Founding Father and Second President of the United States)

How often we take for granted that which we have been gifted by those who came before. I hope I always have present the sacrifices others made so that today I can sing and make music or sit and write or simply be, whatever I decide that is…

Thursday, February 4, 2010

It was lesson day. All the girls are sounding pretty good if I may say so. Gave some creative thought to the usage of the flowers for the wedding and have been reflecting more about the date.

Matt called the owner of Stacey’s and we are meeting with him in one of the stores on Friday.

Thought of the day:

“Happiness is like the penny candy of our youth:

We got a lot more for our money back when we had no money.

(Mignon McLaughlin, Writer)

I will interpret this as talking about simpler things. And, yes, as time goes by, I guess we all let ourselves want more and better. There is something, though, to be said for that which is earned with hard work and also for enjoying the simpler but really special moments in life. There is some stuff no money can buy…and when you are with the one you love, those are the most important treasures. They live forever and can make us smile with such warmth in the heart…Those are the moments that pull us through the darkness and make us realized the happiness we are gifted with every day.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Matt and I went to Stacey’s. We got a decent deal and bought some beautiful flowers that we will be using for the wedding. Matt gifted them to me for Valentine’s which make them even more special. The creative juices are flowing…

We’ve gone back on a low crab diet. We started last Monday. So tonight, my dear grumpy Matt said:

“See that tear going down my face, is the last drop of sugar left in me.”

Yes, I love how me makes me laugh. We laugh SO MUCH together! The things that his mind comes up with you will never hear anywhere else!

Thought of the day:

“Every man I meet wants to protect me. I can’t figure out what from.”

(Mae West, Actor and Writer)

What do you think?

I am not sure what to think about this. Maybe it refers to the intrinsic female archetype; where the strong confuse soft with weak.

Date, Time and Place (Brrrrrr......)

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

We had the first Zaphyra rehearsal of the year. I asked the girls to sing at the wedding and they, of course, said yes with a big smile. I then played the music for them and we went over some of the ideas. As you can imagine, the program is very eclectic.

Thought of the day:

“I wasn’t born to be a fighter. The causes I have fought for

have invariably been causes that should have been gained by a delicate suggestion.

Since they never were, I made myself into a fighter.

(Margaret Anderson, Editor and Writer)

I guess I could say this is about the strength of our convictions; about how much we believe in something and how far we are willing to go for it, even when it is out of our comfort level.


Maybe, this could be applied to the conflicts we are having with the dates, times and location for the wedding. We need to decide, based on the options we have been given (which are not many,) when it will be and if we are OK with it.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Did some catching up of home office stuff. Also vocalized, worked on rep and worked on my piano. I experimented with a low carb fried eggplant recipe (well, really and adaptation of mine,) which we have determined is a keeper.

On a separate note, enjoy the following video which I got from Silvie. Pretty awesome.

Tic Tac Music Video

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2658831/tic_tac_music/

(Can't get it upload so I am sedding the link.)

Thought of the day:

“When we drop fear, we can draw nearer to people, we can draw nearer to the earth,

we can draw nearer to all the heavenly creatures that surround us.

(Bell Hooks; Writer, Feminist, and Social Activist)

I think many, many, many times in life we are scared of something because it is alien to us. As humans, we fear the unknown. The catch is that fear can keep so much being unknown. I guess it takes courage to live, especially to live fully and to be open to that which is different. But, in doing so, we embrace all of creation.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Issues with the time and location for the wedding continue. Little by little what is important to us seems to be stripped by what we are being told cannot be done…

Thought of the day:

In my eyes, I’ve never failed

because I’ve never given anything less than my best.”

(Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics)

I have been lucky enough to have met a couple Olympians in my life. While studying at NYU, when I started training fencing again, my coach was an Olympic winner. While working at Panasonic, I met and worked with a soccer player who was also an Olympic winner.

I must say, they most certainly operate at a very high level. The discipline and commitment developed during their training most certainly stayed with them and was applied to other aspects of their life. It is just how they do things. It is second nature.

Eat Mor Chikin and Do Some Awesome Tralala's

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Had lessons today; first time after Christmas break. I cleaned whole house. By myself. And organized the laundry closet. Oh dear! Do I need to explain HOW TIRED I AM! Four bathrooms, master bed, office, studio, guest suite, dinning room, living room, kitchen, foyer, wood, marble, modling, videos, cds (many, many, many,) book shelves with many, many books and scores, and sheet music, files, cabinets, computers, music gear (pain in the hinny to clean,) piano, guitars.

Anyway, I am just tired and wanted to be fuzzy. So, I have been fuzzy and now I am done.  My hope is that all rooms and closets are fully organized and decorated for the wedding. I don’t know if that will be possible, but we will certainly try.

Also, today I cut Matt’s hair for the first time. He was courageous and I did a pretty good job if I must say so.

Thought of the day:

“Cary a vision of heaven in your hearts, and you shall make your home,

your school, your world correspond to that vision.”

(Hellen Keller, Activist for the Deaf and the Blind

And Winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom)

Pretty much everyone knows what visualization is. If we can imagine something, see it and make it so real that it goes with us wherever we go, and that something is something contagiously positive, what an impact could we have. Don’t you think?

Friday, January 29, 2010

I went to Camille’s house to check on her sound system for the upcoming competition at Chick Fil’A. What a beautiful and warm home the Edwards have!

In the evening, we met with Dan and Lisa at Georgia Shrimp for dinner. Caught up on some wedding details with Lisa while Dan and Matt where into some talking, looking at us “smurffing” (remember the Smurfs?) here and there.

Thought of the day:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

(Corrie ten Boom, Activist and Writer, Instrumental to the

Success of the Dutch Underground during World War II)

I have learned, through out the years, that worrying really doesn’t do anything but consume us, make us miserable and paralyze us. Many times, things never get to the levels of disaster we, in our immense creativity, are able to imagine.

When I find myself in this place, I force myself to let go of those feelings and try to fill myself with hope. At the end of the day, I am certain that the Divinity that made me be will always be watching, even when I forget.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

We attended the Chick Fil’A Talent Competition this evening. There were some very good acts and some really bad ones too. But heck, it takes guts to stand in front of all those people, especially so up close, and do your thing.

Abby and Camille did very good, especially considering the glitches that happened, coincidentally to both, which by the way where caused by other people and had nothing to do with them really. Anyway, as so many times I have told them, “if a brick falls over your head, it has nothing to do with you. You don’t blink. Most of the people will never know.” The situations, one of which was actually an emergency, came and were gone and both ladies held their composure, providing a good performance for those present.

Kudos girls!

Thought of the day:

“To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.”

(Gail Sheehy, Writer and Lecturer)

OK, I couldn’t help but smile when I red this. Probably you did too. It is true that challenge makes us stronger and more skilled, but we all need a rest; some smooth sailing at some point when we can just enjoy the ride. Don’t you think?


These last years have been hard for so many people. Between the economy and the natural disasters many, many have been hit pretty hard all over the world. It’s been going on for what, three years now and it still has a while to go.


If you talk construction – and Atlanta is a construction, then airline and automotive industry city (need I say more?) – has about 2 to 3 years of foreclosed inventory on the ground. You’d have to be crazy or very rich to be building now. And, unless a bank isn’t holding a loan by the throat forcing the builder to build, no one is going to be putting anymore specs on the ground for a while. And no one is, not on this side of town.


Business reinvention is the name of the game, if you have the creativity and skill to do it and make it happen. Let’s hope the tied turns and builders can go back to doing what they do best, building beautiful houses for people to make into their homes.


SO SMOOTH SAILING FOR EVERYBODY THIS YEAR!!


PS It is also true that, when we have our attention focused on challenges of life, we tend not to have time for many personal crisis. So life can be a very cheap therapist, granted we have the right approach ;-) …

On Our Way Back

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Monday, January 25, 2010

Well, the time to leave came. We saw Gaby and Maddie and then Cathy and Dewey left for the farm before we left as Dewey didn’t have to go to the hospital ‘till noon.

We then drove to New Orleans, to the French Quarter. As many know, this area was not affected by the flood caused by Katrina. We parked and then started walking. It is certainly a charming area. We went to Café du Monde and had coffee and vignettes, which are a kind of French donuts. Man were they good.

Later in the day, we went for lunch and had true Po Boys. Wow! For those who don’t know, a Po Boy is a kinda hero sandwich of fried seafood. We had oysters and shrimp. They were so, so good!!! I don’t think I have ever had tastier seafood ever! We also ordered a muffeletta to go, which is an Italian cold cut sandwich with and olive salad kinda dressing.

We were there ‘till about 3 pm and then started on our way. Driving out of town, we went to the places where Matt had lived as well as some of his friends. The streets and highways have been rebuilt as well as some houses, but there is still so much work to be done. You can see a newly built house next to one that is barely holding up, many, many times over.

To my great surprise, we had to drive for about an hour and a half out of the city to finally hit an area that had NOT been affected by Katrina. In addition to the flooding affected areas, you could see, for miles and miles, land with broken down dead trees affected by the winds. How sad!

New Orleans Visit Album

Once again, and having done a little of work to help some of the victims that moved to Atlanta, I can’t help but to think of how lucky we are. In spite of the difficult financials times, we have never had to go through something like this. I can’t imagine what it might feel like to loose your home and all the special things that hold memories that we treasure.

Thought of the day:

“No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is,

you still have to get out of it.”

(Grace Slick, Singer and Songwriter)

OK, I guess you will not be surprised when I say the thoughts that come to mind when reading this are related to what New Orleans went through during Katrina. We spend so much energy building a comfortable and warm place to share with our loved ones, we don’t consider the possibility that a time might come when it might not be available. How do you prepare for something like that?

On a smaller scale, we still create places of warmth and comfort for ourselves. We all need them and we all need to feel warm and cozy and have a place of solace and where we can rest. Hopefully, that place allows us to replenish and get back out there full of energy and strength every day. Do you have a place like that?

Matt and I do, where, regardless of the location, as long as we are together, it follows and comes to life. And we hope all those we love also do…

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I went to pick up Sapphie at Lito and Tere’s. Come to find out, while still in Hammond, she cried all night the first night. So Lito and Tere decided to let her out of the crate at night and allow her to sleep with them. Aren’t they angels or what! We are so thankful of how much they care about Sapphie and their being willing to take her when we go out of town. I really would not like to have to leave her in a kennel ever.

While I was there, the front door got open and Max ran away. Lito went after him and I followed with the leash. Long story made short, we basically walked the whole cart path circle, past K-Mart, back to the house. Max needs some major recall training Michael!

Basically, I started getting back into my daily routine. After more than a month, I worked out again today. It feels good!

Thought of the day:

“The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself,

 to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own. There is no other way.”

(Betty Friedan, Writer and Cofounder of the National Organization for Women)

OK, if you know me, you know how much writing fuel this can provide for me. So I will try to keep it short and sweet.

Be it through an artistic labor or not, the path to self-knowledge, I believe, will always be a creative and, if I must say so, courageous one. It is certainly one that requires vision and openness, guts to look inside and the discipline to make the necessary changes for growth.

This is one of the things that I love the most about Matt. He is willing to go through the process. So am I. And, together, we support and challenge each other to be better every day and to continuously search for the understanding of our own selves and each other, as – as we see it – this is a life long endeavor.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I am back working on my rep and practicing some piano. I also started answering all the back logged emails. It was simple day, catching up with daily life.

Thought of the day:

“To keep your character intact you cannot stoop to filthy acts.

It makes it easier to stoop the next time.”

(Katherine Hepburn, Academy Award-winning Actor)

This is certainly true. I would just add that the simplest things can trick us to feel that they are insignificant and do not count. But, the truth is, they do and have a cumulatively numbing effect, if you know what I mean.

More Baby Fix...

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

We spent most of the day at Little Matt & Gaby’s, the boys watching games and the girls with the babies. Laura came with Caleb. He is just a total cutie! Later, both Matt’s went to look for Michael who was at home hammering the books and held him captive for a couple of hours. Saints are going to the Superbowl. Yes, I know who the Saints are; would you believe it!!!

Oh, we ate more yummy cake!!!

Thought of the day:

“I don’t know that there are any shortcuts to doing a good job.”

(Sandra Day O’Connor, US Supreme Court Justice, 1981 – 2005)

Oh, oh, oh…how true this is! Specially when creating something. You get that gut feeling, that “yes that’s it” when it comes and not a second before. Now, technical knowledge, preparation and discipline certainly aid in getting there and getting there easier and more frequently.


And, the truth is, no matter what you do, if you have pride in your work or your creation, you always strive to do ‘a good job!’

Starting the Baby Fix!

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Spent the day getting ready for our trip to Hammond and then lessons later in the day.

In the evening, we dropped Sapphie at Lito and Tere. She seems to be doing OK. We will check on her tomorrow.

We’re so excited to see everybody but, of course, to meet Maddie and Caleb!

Thought of the day:

“I am my own thing.”

(Penelope Cruz, the first Spanish actress

nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress)

I really like this one! “I am my own thing.” It is so difficult in life to get to this understanding. And, once we understand it, it is so difficult to get to the point of having this sense of self…We are all unique and this uniqueness, combined into a third unique entity, is what Matt and I want to express the day of our wedding.

Friday, January 22, 2010

So we are driving to Hammond to meet the babies, Maddie and Caleb, and for Matt to ask little Matt to be his Best Man. We still have about an hour to go.

A couple of hours ago, Lisa and I caught up by phone on where the plans for the wedding are. We spoke about 45 minutes and also discussed some Zaphyra and Voices things.

During our conversation, when talking about the possible time for the ceremony, Lisa made a good point about it being at 7:30 pm. I mean, I had thought it would be late, but quite frankly didn’t think about the time needed for photos. This would probably put us at the reception by 9:30 pm at best, which might be a bit too late.

I will email Joyce and Father Joe and see how comfortable Father Joe is with 4:00 pm instead on that late.

Thought of the day:

“The spiritual path is simply the journey of living our lives.

Everyone is on a spiritual path; most people just don’t know it.”

(Marianne Williamson, Spiritual Activist, Author, and Lecturer)

Simply and nicely put; quite frankly, I agree. Even if the journey were stagnant, the journey would still be and still have the potential of growth and learning.


Personally, I have always thought of life as a path of learning. And, even though we might not want to learn, the teaching is always there. All we have to do is open our minds, give our eyes a chance to see and our ears a chance to listen.


How much we get out of it depends on how much we put in it. And, who is to say, sometimes there is also learning in inaction. All paths are individual, but can be shared. Even though the lesson we might need to learn, chances are, would be different, the learning need not be communal.


And so, when two Souls decide to share their journey, the road can be softer and friendlier, with colors of brightness and warmth. At the end of the day, it is a choice, in spite of the circumstances, in the learning and the journey...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

We arrived in Hammond about 6:00 pm CPT yesterday evening. It was so good to see everybody. Little Matt had been cooking a brisket all day and so we had dinner at his place, which is across Cathy’s house.
The babies are just SO ADORABLE!!!! Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some pics. As you will see, Maddie is also a red head...

Today we had breakfast at Cathy’s. Little Matt, Gaby and Maddie joined us as well as Dewey, who had spent the night at the farm. Man! I can’t imagine what it is to manage 800 acres with 400 heads of cattle, in addition to a medical practice!!! Bless Dewey’s and Cathy’s heart!

Anyway, we had a wonderful breakfast, with tons of really yummy bacon. Dewey has a special way of cooking that really works quite well and makes it nice and crispy with having to use half a dozen pans. You just put the whole pound in the pan and kinda let it curl and crip. Great idea!

Before breakfast, we went to pick up a King Cake that Cathy had ordered. Yuuum! I like this huge Danish stuffed with cheese and yam. I could have eaten that baby till I literally popped!

We then chatted in the living room for a while and then went back to Matt and Gaby’s where we spend the rest of the day. We got to meet Gaby’s family. It was Ashely’s (Gaby’s sister) birthday, so we celebrated with her and both Matts, Big and Little, spend the afternoon playing table tennis with her, while baby Maddie slept for four hours in my arms.

In there anything sweeter in life than the smell of a baby?...

Thought of the day:

“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world: It’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.

(Mae Jemison, the first black woman to travel in space.)

All I want to comment about this is that sometimes that “anyone” is our own selves. I want to always remember that I have the right to my own wings, wherever it is that they fly…

Keep It Simple

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Monday, January 18, 2010

I woke up with a light migraine today. I think I might be grinding my teeth at night again and I need to start using my mouth guard for a while.

I thought much about the quote of Saturday, January 16, which, as it works out, ties into the one from today.”

“I believe that we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up,

and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.”

(Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Leader)

As you can see, this ties directly to doing what is needed to get the world we want. And I don’t think it has to be a grand act. It can be little simple things we take the time to do in our busy schedules. And, in doing them, we also teach our children.


For some reason, I have been thinking a lot about the environment and the kind of planet the next generations will inherit. We are starting to feel some of the consequences and nature is starting to protest.


These thoughts have been in my mind for a while and I have started to act more responsibly in this respect. Of course, we recycle, or rather the garbage company does. I have also started reusing zip lock bags as much as I can, including my freezer bags. When I go to the market, I still get plastic bags, but I used them to cover the garbage cans in the bathrooms and reuse all other paper and plastic bags that we bring in as much as possible.


I have also discovered those green bags which I must say preserve produce for, at least, double the time it usually lasts. I LOVE THEM! If you think of it, this not only saves you money as very little produce ends up going bad, if any, but relieves the stress of having to produce more to supply a higher demand. In addition, it saves gas as the trips to the store are less.


When we go out or at night, we make sure all lights are turned off except one or two that allow us to see. Doing this simple thing – BTW, I was raised in Peru where electricity is very expensive – we have been able to reduce the electrical bill for about 60%! If you live in this area, you know that the electrical bill can almost be a mini-mortgage.


I also make a point of cutting to little pieces the plastic ties that hold soda cans together. It is absolutely horrible to see how, when left in one piece, they can torture sea life to death!


So I realized that, without going anywhere and doing nothing really special I can contribute to change and, at the same time, save a nice chunk of change!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I was trying to connect my Treo to my computer at home. Got ActiveSync downloaded and started running the sync function. Guess what! After spending four months cleaning my contacts in Outlook, they got doubled, duplicating the info from the pda into Outlook. We’re talking 1,500 contacts up to 3,000. Uuhhhh! So, I will have to start my contact clean up from 0!

Grace sent more info re dresses; some more places in the area and designers. So, I will be looking into that.

Thought of the day:

“Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can.”

(Elsa Maxwell, Columnist, Songwriter, and Professional Hostess)

Having a sense of humor about ourselves is a healthy thing, I believe. Many times we take ourselves too seriously. I know I do. Learning to be more relaxed is, most certainly, something I can use and I have been working at doing…or, better, not working at, just being…

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Didn’t sleep well last night. During the day, I worked on setting up the network in the house and on networking iTunes. In the afternoon, I took Sapphie to meet Max. She will be staying with Lito and Tere during the weekend ‘cause we are going to Hammond to meet the babies. Max is Micheal’s (their son’s great dame.) Man is he a cutie! They did OK, though Sapphie was being a bit of a little spoiled bratt…You can tell she is an only child…

Thought of the day:

“I would be the most content

if my children grew up to be the kind of people

who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.”

(Anna Quindlen, Author and Pulitzer Prize-Winning columnist)

I guess there is something to be said about simplicity. But, thinking more about it, this might be more about appreciating the simple things in life, rather than simplicity itself.

In this time of information overload, so much passes us by. Stopping once in a while to smell the roses can be very nurturing, healing, and one of those simple memorable pleasures of life.

Good reminder for the wedding…Keep it simple…