my chai

She warned me it would happen... and she was right. I am addicted to Chai tea. Carie started me drinking it, and now I cannot stop. And just this week, I learned that I really like it cold, as well as hot! Today, on our day off together, my hubby took me to Panera... and eyeing my tea, he asked me what it tasted like. Like coffee? No... but before I could tell him about the spicy flavors mixed with honey and vanilla, he was sipping from my straw. He looked me straight in the eye and said You are drinking potpourri. I smiled and he started with the gagging sounds... then he gulped his Pepsi(yes, Jenn, PEPSI!) and swished it around in his mouth... to get the potpourri flavor out from between his teeth? The expressions on his face made me laugh out loud... and I am assured that he will never sip my chai tea again!

a sweet little story

One of my biggest childhood regrets was cutting Skipper's hair. She was brand new, and I don't know what possessed me... I guess I thought she just needed a little trim. But... I didn't trim it straight... the left was longer than the right... then the right longer than the left. Before I knew it, Skipper was sporting a very short bob. I was heart sick... and felt guilty for ruining a toy... especially a new one. Probably out of guilt, I made sure she never got left behind... she always got to ride in the car with Barbie... shop at the boutique for a new outfit... I even got her a horse. I certainly learned my lesson and never ever cut another doll's hair.

I have been a lucky Mom. Neither of my children have ever taken scissors to a prized toy... or their own hair. Well, at least not in a way that was obvious. Because there was one summer that I found a beautiful picture, drawn by my daughter... with little bits of her beautiful blond hair glued on here and there. She must have trimmed her hair from underneath... I just couldn't tell that she even did it. I didn't stay mad long.... but I figured she would never do it again. I was so furious that I threw the picture away... but oh, how I wish I had saved it. How I would love to post it right here for all to admire...

School was starting up... Laura headed off to kindergarten... and I was lending my hands at the pre-school... preparing for the new little ones. Reliving summer memories, I mentioned to Miss Julie what Laura had done... and expressed that I couldn't imagine where she would have gotten the idea to cut her hair. The look on Miss Julie's face was priceless... and clearly, she was wavering between remorse and laughter. So I waited... and then she said I'm sorry. It is my fault. My look of disbelief caused her to elaborate... and soon we were both smiling, with a tear or two escaping down our cheeks. You see... there is a story.

In the last days of pre-school, Miss Julie had shared a story with her little ones... a story about a little girl named Lucy... who was making a beautiful picture for her Grandfather... who was blind. Lucy used scraps of fabric and paper to create a story her Grandfather could see... with his hands. Lucy made sure to include a golden retriever... and covered the dog with her golden hair...

Oh... how I wish I had saved that picture....

i is for...

ice cream.

Yes... ice cream. Really, what else could it be for me? Even though our family sold our ice cream shop almost fifteen years ago... our love for all things ice cream has never ended. Having our shop was one of the best things in my life. It was... my summer job... my social life. It made me proud... and it made me work hard. It was a far-fetched dream we all made come true... with a special make-believe friend at the center of it all. It was sticky summer nights, with no end in sight... as my Mom & I danced around each other serving up a storm. It was a learning experience like no other. It was where I met my husband. Do I miss it? There are lots of things I miss about Wilbur's Ice Cream Store... that is why I have ice cream treasures tucked here and there around my house. Maybe one day, there will be a Wilbur's Way South... maybe.


Happy A to Z Monday!

she did it!

I didn't think I was going to get emotional... but I did. Cried right there in the Department of Motor Vehicles. Why? Because my daughter passed the eye exam. Oh... and she got her Learner's Permit.

When she was six weeks old the doctor told us that she would never be able to drive a car... and once again, Laura has proved her wrong. I prayed about it all day... asking God for her to pass the eye test... but knowing that I didn't want her to pass if it wouldn't be safe for her... or for others. But she did pass... and I am filled with thanksgiving from my head right down to my toes.

(In case you are new, here are a few other posts about my daughter's striking eyes...She's Growing Up... Angel Eyes )

So... let the driving begin!! And God? Now that You have accomplished greatness with her eye exam... could You possibly direct an extra ounce or two of patience my way? Thank you... I'm going to need it!