Veronica's Wings

An angel in Heaven has Veronica’s wings
Listen closely as the angel sings

She sings of love for her family, strength and glory
Listen carefully, or you’ll miss her story

You’ll hear sounds of laughter and cries of joy
An angel that’s watching over each and every boy

You’ll hear about the Lakers, and her love of purple and gold
Hers is a story that should never go untold

Her song is full of her strength and her blessing
She plays the music so you’ll keep on dancing

Her wings are full of warmth and care
Flying close by as we say our prayer

Her music plays for all to hear
You just have to listen with a smiling ear

The angel sings of the bonds she made
Friendships and family that will never fade

Inside all of us, Veronica’s life lives on
Never stop dancing or singing her song

A beautiful angel in Heaven wears Veronica’s wings
Can you hear the song that she sings?

Lost!

I’m smiling today, remembering this story from 2003.

On a hot summer day, I bravely took Brody and 7 other kids to Disneyland all by myself. My husband and Jake were planning to meet us down there later in the afternoon. To make things safer for the kids and easier for me, I paired each kid up with a buddy, 2x2, and made sure they held hands with their buddy at all times, as we walked through the park. Brody was 7 years old, but the oldest of the group.

Walking past Pirates of the Caribbean, I turned to do a headcount, as I had done all day. But this time, there was no sign of Brody. It was REALLY crowded that day. I scanned the area, thinking he fell behind, but there was no sign of him or his buddy, Frances. At this point, I started SCREAMING him name. Brody! Brody!!! BRODY!!!!! Nothing. Other parents could tell something was wrong. I walked the other 6 children over to a bench and sat them down and a kind couple offered to stay with them while I scoured the area, still yelling Brody’s name.

Within about what felt like 30 minutes, but was really only 3, a kind man that worked for Disneyland walked up to me smiling and whispered to me “we’ve had kids coming here for 50 years, and we haven’t lost one yet.” I immediately started to cry. Although he comforted me, my nerves and anxiety got the best of me.

We’d been to Disneyland a million times. We’d had passes for years. We always tell our children that if they get lost, to stay put. We will find you, but to never keep going, just stop!

The kind man asked what Brody looked like and his buddy Frances. “He’s blonde and this tall” as I held my hand just above my waist to show the height. “Frances is shorter, with dark hair.” He asked me “what is your son wearing?” I replied “he’s wearing shorts, Vans tennis shoes, and a blue t-shirt that says….LOST on it.”

I couldn’t believe it. I immediately started to laugh as I realized this boy wore a shirt to Disneyland that says LOST on the front of it on the same day he actually gets lost.

Within about 3 more minutes, I see Brody and Frances with another Disneyland employee. As we make eye contact, we run towards each other, and sadly both children were crying. My heart broke, but at least they were found, safe.

For the remainder of the day, whenever he had the opportunity, while standing in line, or talking to ride attendants, Brody would blab to people “she lost us today” or “my mom lost me”. He worked hard to embarrass me the entire day. Thankfully, we can actually laugh about it now.

OINK! OINK!

For those of us that grew up in Riverside, you most likely remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor located in the parking lot of the Tyler Mall. I certainly do! I celebrated my 5th birthday there. Sadly, Farrell’s closed in the early 80’s, but the memories live on.

This past weekend, for my 36th birthday, my husband surprised me by taking me and the family to a Farrell’s in Mission Viejo. They still exist!!!

We had a BLAST! It was so much fun. My kids giggled themselves silly the entire time. We laughed and talked excitedly the entire drive home.

Thanks honey, for making a new memory for me that is just as special as my 5th birthday.

Here’s a picture of the Pig's Trough dessert. It’s a GIGANTIC banana split. Oink oink!

The Death of MY Wolf Whistle.

I was out shopping this weekend with Cecilia, my step-daughter, who's almost 13. Although she’s only 12, she looks 16. BUT still only 12!!!!!

While we walked into the store, a van full of men whistled and howled at us. Of course my immediate reaction was “Right on!!! Maybe I’ve still got it! I knew I was having a good hair day!” It really boosted my mood and not to mention my boobs and ass felt much higher and tighter! A mental boob job, so to speak.

But then, I remembered this gorgeous young lady walking next to me with all her parts in the right place, her gorgeous thick brown hair, and skinny jeans to boot. Perhaps they were whistling at her and not me. Ugh, the HORROR!

In that moment, I felt so old and crushed. I could feel the mental boob job dissipating and the sagginess coming back with the flood of defeat.

I think next time, I’ll go to the store alone! LOL

Your Everything

I am a bird spreading my wings

I am a marriage exchanging rings

I am the sun keeping you warm

I am the wind guiding the storm

I am the stars for you to see

I am the night for you to dream

I am the hope holding you on

I am the love keeping you strong

I am the sorrow you feel by day

I am your tomorrow as it goes away

I am a bird spreading my wings

I want to be your everything....

Do you hear what I hear?

For many years now, I’ve noticed that I can’t hear people very well. I don’t hear the doorbell, and I’m told I listen to the television way too loud. Well, I finally broke down and made myself a hearing appointment and took my husband with me.

I figured it could be either hearing loss from listening to music too loud as a teenager, or from my constant allergies that keep my ears clogged or me simply not paying close enough attention when people are talking to me. All of these were definitely possible.

In the end however, I do have 35% hearing loss in both ears. That’s a lot. And it’s genetic. It’s not from any damage that I’ve done, or allergies, or swimming. I could not have prevented it.

So, to resolve this issue, I can wear hearing aids. BUT, we were told our insurance doesn’t cover hearing aids. Ok, no biggie, how much are they? They start at $1,000 a pop and move up to the $5,000 range!!!

In the end, for now, I think I’ll continue to turn up the TV and say “huh” and “what did you say” as often as I need to.

At least now my family is aware and can be more sensitive to my needs. So don’t yell at me when I keep asking you to repeat yourself!!!

The Burning Question

Oh my goodness, it’s been a year since I last blogged. Sad. But hey, I’m back.

I’m back, mainly because my husband started a blog yesterday to track our journey to "Burning Man" this year. Journeyofsmiles.blogspot.com

I’ll let you follow him to see what it’s about. But I will say I’m VERY nervous and excited. Nervous because it is so outside of my comfort zone but I’m very excited to go on an adventure, blind, with only trust in my husband and my instincts.

I’ll keep you posted……

And for your burning questions....Here's a video about Burning Man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4NF8JPXtnU