My Mom's Birthday

(That's right, my Mom's birthday is the day after my Dad's.)


I get all of my old-person sayings from my Mom; things like "That smarts!" and "Who's that tall drink of water?" Like me, my Mom isn't exactly up with the times, but one technological phenomenon she has embraced wholeheartedly is Pinterest.

So, in honor of her birthday I'm pinning a piece of personalized art she drew in art class and gave me at Christmas. She said the little figurine reminded her of me. I suppose a little Amish girl reading a book in a corner is pretty accurate of how I was as a child. I don't think I sat on a crate, but who knows...we didn't have money.

A few weeks ago, I spray painted an 8x10 cheap wooden frame bright yellow, choose a matte with a black inlay because it seemed to compliment the sketch, and put my Mom's drawing in the bedroom on a wall I'm using as my experimental "Pinterest-inspired" collage wall.


I love the way little Amish Amber pops in the bright frame. Happy Birthday, Mom. You've been pinned.  

Source: lettersfromalibra.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

My Dad's Birthday

Today is my Dad's birthday. The other day he wrote a blog about climbing trees. Sometimes I don't think he's aged a day over 18, and that's the way he likes it. 

Most kids grow up with parents who harp on them about responsibility and limitations, but I was born overly cautious and serious and it was my parents who taught me to dream, take risks, and to find the humor in life and in each other.

This is my Dad trying to surf five years ago. He fell off the board all day long but he never stopped trying, and he had a blast. Even though he never preaches to me, I learn lessons from him every day.


Although we're up against some challenging times right now, I know my family can fall and get up again...and again and again. I know we still have dreams to dream, risks to take, and a sense of humor to keep us all sane. We've been practicing this for years.


So today, I'm glad for my Dad who helps me understand that life doesn't have to be so serious, even when it is. Happy birthday, Dad.

In a Nutshell

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but you haven't missed much.

I am finally getting over an infection from my foot surgery.

Our wi-fi hasn't been working so there's been some limitations with Internet access. 

I'm trying to keep on top of my article assignments for work while also trying to find time to write some of my own stuff.

The weather is remarkably warm for mid-March (mid-70's in the Boston-area) and is trying erase our memory of how horrible last winter was.

I am traveling to Florida this week for work and hope my foot doesn't swell up like a balloon on the plane.

With nice weather and better times upon us, I hope to have more exciting things to write about soon.