~IT IS FINALLY HERE~

After much anticipation my son's wedding day is approaching...this Saturday, June 30th:) We are leaving Friday for the wine country in Napa, CA where the nuptials will take place and we will be staying at a lovely hotel with many of the guests. It is in this hotel, The Meritage, where the ceremony and celebration will come to fruition. A new wine cave has just been built and this is where all the festivies will occur...It is truly "dreamy"...:) Seems like much is planned to entertain us all...Friday is GOLF day and many of the guests, as well as the groom shall be teeing off at 8:00 am...the second group will do the same at 12:00 noon...the rehearsal will be at 5:00 pm and the rehearsal dinner at 6:30 pm hosted by the groom's parents,that's us:)....after the dinner the ladies are invited to the bride's suite for a fun "sexy" gifts only party:) That should be LOTS OF LAUGHS:):) Saturday morning the bride's parents are hosting breakfast around the pool and after that there shall be games of choice...I hear the gentlemen are playing poker and the ladies shall have their choice of board games, shuffle board or simply reclining by the pool in the sunshine:) This shall occur with non-alcoholic beverages only being served as the wedding will start promptly at 6:00 pm and we certainly do not want any mishaps:-).....after the ceremony, which will have 250 lit candles..Awwwwwwwwww.... we shall be seated for a fabulous dinner while a slide show of the just married couple's (baby thru teen years) pictures are being shown:) That will be soooooo hysterical as I included one of my son at age 5 dressed up for Halloween like "Dolly Parton" (HUGE SMILE HERE) Luckily he does not know yet:) After dinner there shall be cake cutting and dancing and most likely much love & celebration for all!! The Mother of the Groom, Moi, and said son, Anthony will dance together to "It's a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong:) YIPPEE...WOOHOO...I LOVE THAT SONG AND TO DANCE WITH MY SON WHILE IT IS PLAYING IS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME:) I am sure we all shall dance late into the evening. We shall retire to our respective suites and Sunday morning another poolside breakfast is being held. You have no idea how MANY outfits I had to purchase but a girl has to to what a girl has to do:) YABA DABA DO!!!!!!!!!!!!! The married couple will be able to join us as their honeymoon will be in August......so, gosh, I am tired already simply talking about all the activities and we have not even started:) Now, with that said I shall leave you with a pic of the soon to be bride and groom and promise to post weddings pics asap.....

I am so Hugging Life right now.....God is so GOOD:)

Peace, Marylou

LOSS OF BROTHERS:(

This post is a difficult one for me to compose but one I felt compelled to attempt. Recently in South Carolina 9 Firefighters lost their lives trying to save the lives of others!!! This tragedy shows the depths and courage our nation has and that which is channeled thru one of our most vital groups, our FIREFIGHTERS!!

We often hear news relating to wars, missing persons, thievery and politics and if you are like me, we "tend to lend" a deaf ear to those never ending tragic stories. This particular story hit HOME to me. You see, my SON is a Firefighter and the only thought while listening to this tragedy was that of my child, no.....MAN. I am guilty of being very selfish and I need to admit that!! I called my son immediately after I learned of this tragedy because I wanted to HEAR his voice...to know he was not in danger and that he was safe. No, he does not live in South Carolina...he lives here in California but I still NEEDED to hear his voice and know he was not in harms way. We chatted for awhile, he expressed his grief for these brave men and I truly heard the sadness & angst in his voice. As I completed the call and hung up I realized how "BLESSED" I am to have been able to talk to my son!!

While all this was occurring and the reason for this post was the immediate thought that rushed thru my mind. How do the mothers & fathers, brothers & sisters, aunts & uncles, grandparents and friends cope while their loved ones are serving our county in Iraq?????????????? For a moment there was silence in my head, a single stopped heartbeat, a heavy weight upon my shoulder...I was in awe of our men and women who are stationed there serving our nation and having to endure the trials and tribulations of such a adverse conflict. We do NOT have to agree with the war but we MUST agree to support these very brave soldiers who serve US!!!! When I hear of a peace demonstration or anti war rally my heart cringes for these brave souls who have put themselves in a position of terror & danger for the sole purpose of protecting our liberty and the liberties of others...this is NOT an argument whether ANY war is right or wrong.....this is A STATEMENT OF INTENTION THAT EVERY LIFE SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND VALUED, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVES THAT PROTECT OTHERS. So, with that being said, I send my heartfelt condolences to the families & friends of the 9 lost Firefighters who willingly, with courage and fortitude, entered an inferno to save others and by doing so lost their own lives. As well, I send those same condolences to the families & friends of more than 3500 men and women who have lost their lives in Iraq to ensure the liberties of others. May our good and loving father above be keeping a special place of honor for these brave & amazing souls as they pass thru the gates of Heaven!!! Peace, Marylou

~FATHER'S DAY~

Another one of those days for me to miss the ones I love..my dad has since passed and I wear a heavy heart today. I miss his laugh, his wisdom, his knowledge, his guidance!! I MISS HIM! I know I shall meet up with him again someday but I have many moments here on earth where I could certainly use his fortitude, insight and strength. I am very "BLESSED" as I have an older sister who I can turn to in dire times and she is ALWAYS there for me:) She reminds me of my dad so very much. She has his wit and dry sense of humor, his leadership, his courage and his discernment. So, with that said maybe my dad has not left this world...no...maybe he is working thru his eldest child, my sister. How fortunate I am to have this wonderful woman in my life and I hope she knows how much I appreciate her humanity and gentleness in a not so gentle world. I shall wish G a Happy Father's day because she is such a reflection of our DAD! God Bless you G, forever and always. I LOVE U:) Peace, Marylou

HUG LIFE:)

I am so "hugging" life......:) Maybe being a newlywed does that to people, but I am so "hugging life" and am not gonna let go....:) No time for DRAMA. I have been around for awhile and I will never understand those who hang on to it, drama!! I have come to the conclusion that there is a reason for this...if, let's say... one feels guilt and angst over something they did or caused, and cannot let it go...it festers inside of their souls and manifests itself into...you guessed it...drama!! The unfortunate result of this occurs when others are hurt by the insecurities and selfish acts perpetrated by the "drama queen" herself...or "drama king"....... whatever the case may be. So, just a shout out to all who may see themselves in this synopsis....wake up, grow up and take responsibility for who you are and for those you have hurt! Thanks for listening to my tirade...I believe those who "need to heed" will know who they are!!! As a wise man once said.. "It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you're not comfortable within yourself, you can't be comfortable with others".
Author: Sidney J. Harris 1917-, American Journalist
Peace...Marylou