Saturday, August 29, 2009

When the going gets tough...

..the tough drink rum and coke.

I cannot remember the last time I had fun.  Like "honest to goodness, not a care in the world, I love the people I'm with" fun..  I was reminded last night just how much fun fun can be.

I get so caught up in the ups and downs, ins and outs of every day life that I forget how to be just Lisa.  I'm all about "Mommy, Wife, Daughter, Sister, I am woman hear me roar", that I forget to just take a step back, and kick up my heels...just live.

It's funny, because in recent times, I've been questioning friendships in my life, as alot of really important people in my life have unceremoniously 'dumped' me, for whatever reason.  When I think about last night, and about the people who I have fun with the most, it's the people that have been there all along.  My family.  I don't know why I thought friends and family couldn't be one in the same.

I've watched my cousin blossom into this amazing woman who I admire and adore.  Our relationship has come a long way.  Never did I think we'd have so much fun together.  Never.  I'm glad we are where we are today.

I've developed such a love and admiration for my brother's girlfriend of 6 years.  I won't lie, I'm not sure how she puts up with him at times, but I'm glad she does.  I truly can call her my friend, and for that, I'm so grateful.

Not many people can say that they have an Aunt who can hang with the best.  I can.  She's awesome.  And I love her so.

My husband is a good sport.  He's content to sit and watch other people have fun.  He's a good egg,  and evidently a target for practicing flirters everywhere.  He truly is my rock...my best friend.

My boys, and their boys, and their boys' girls) always make me smile when we are out together.  

It's nights like last night where I'm reminded to just take a step back and let go.  Just breathe.  Just have fun.

It was Laur's birthday, but I felt like I was the one who grew up a bit.


(and i'm never singing with Lauren Domino ever again.  She makes me sing silly songs and laugh the whole way through.)

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A blog a day

I'm trying to write at least a blog a day.  I'm scared of running out of topics, though.   In my old journal, I asked for topics to write about, and it turned out really well.  So, I was thinking of doing that here.

Are there any topics you want me to write about?

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Saying Goodbye

Recently, I've suffered a great loss.  The loss of my childhood home.  It was a year in the making; the economic status of the country has been making times rough for homeowners everywhere.  Having to say goodbye to the house...the home...that shaped my childhood was harder than I thought.

We moved there in 1986, when I was 7.  Having not left home to go to college, I stayed there until I married in 2005.  Even after I left Lillian Street, it was still home.  When financial contraints forced Greg and I to make huge lifestyle changes, Lillian Street became my official home once again.  We stayed there until earlier this year when a fantastic opportunity was placed in front of enabling us to purchase our first home.  So, for the second time in 4 years, I packed up and left Lillian Street.  This time for good.

You should never have to fight to keep something that was yours for so long.  Admitting defeat is never easy, but it was inevitable.  My parents were fortunate enough to find a fantastic home in an equally fantastic neighborhood.  So, at the beginning of this month, they packed 23 years worth of memories up and left Lillian Street.  New beginnings aren't easy to deal with, especially if you dread change.  Adjusting is taking a bit of time.

When I think of Lillian Street, I remember summers that lasted forever.  I remember pools, and laughter; swingsets and friends.  I remember first loves, and first heartbreaks.  Family gatherings, and quality time alone.  Friendships faded over time, and the neighborhood became a shell of what it once was.  For all intents and purposes, we said goodbye to Lillian Street, the REAL Lillian Street, many years ago.

I always smile when I think about how I've "known" that house longer than I've known my youngest brother.  Danny was brought home from the hospital to that house, it's the only house he's ever known.  I also smile when I think about how I brought both of MY children home from the hospital to that house.  For a brief time, I got to share my childhood with my children, and that's something I won't soon forget.

So that brings us to the present day.  It's been almost a month since we said good-bye. I say "we" because even though I didn't live there at this time, it was always home.  New House, New Beginnings, New Memories.  My family is very fortunate that they have a great new house to set up shop in.  It's just 3 minutes away from my house, so it's like the old 'hood' in a new location.  So, why is everyone still so sad?

As time goes by, the hurt and the sadness will fade, and memories may be less clear, but we will never forget our Lillian.  Our house, our home forever.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Passion

I envy those who have found their passion in life.  Everytime I think I find mine; I decide that it's not worth really pursuing.  This has happened many times in my life: baking, singing, ultrasound school, medical transcription school.  I don't know why I talk myself out of pursuing a way to make life easier. 

I really like to write.  I like to immerse myself into what I'm writing.  I love the way what I'm writing comes together.  I wish I would have really paid attention more in Journalism class in high school.  Who knows where I'd be right now.  Eh, probably right here, writing this very blog.  I would have convinced myself that it just wan't worth it.

Being a Mom is a passion of mine.  Music is a passion of mine.  Cooking, as well.  I feel my most comfortable when I'm singing, cooking, or playing with my babies.  I can just see it now, the next TLC reality show, "Lisa the singing, cooking Mom." How freaking cool would that be?

I wrote this letter to the editor about the state of a local park.  I received phone calls praising the letter, endless comments from friends and family about how good it was.  Could this be my new passion? Writing about....well...my passions in life?  Animals are a passion of mine.  I've been an animal person all of my life.  It just felt write to speak on the behalf of people who care everywhere.  It felt great. I felt empowered.  If I'm being honest, I've been giddy all day because of it.

I will end this now, but I will say to all of you who have found your passion in life: Good for you.  I envy you.  You're very lucky.  I hope to one day join your ranks.

This blog may turn out to be fun...we shall see.

Post One

I've had lots of blogs. I get tired of it very quickly. When I start to annoy myself with what I'm writing about, I close up shop, pack up and move elsewhere. So here I am.

I need a new focus.
A new goal.
A new outlook.
A new outlet.

We will see how long this one lasts.

Consider this the first post that you've ever read from me. It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me...

...and I'm feeling good.

This will be the first blog that will be open for the public to see. There will be no "cross-posting" and also no "cross-topic" talking. What is written here STAYS here, and that goes for anywhere else you may read my writing.

I'm really into writing commentary. I'm into writing about things that I'm passionate about, and I really don't do enough of either anymore. I've recently been bitten by the writing bug, so hopefully this will turn into a creative outlet....if I actually keep up with it.

I do have a blog that is all about the babies: www.jackandemma.baveo.com Feel free to that out as well. They are such a big part of my life, they deserve their own blog.

We will see how this goes...