Crazy Love

Last Saturday night my long-awaited Valentine's Day present from Don came to fruition. We got a babysitter, went to a nice dinner at Piatti, and headed to the AT&T Center to see Michael Buble' in concert. Five months is a LONG time for a girl to have to wait for a present but I've had more than one time in my life where I've had to wait, so I consider myself an old pro when it comes to the waiting game. Bitter, party of one, your table is ready.

Sorry. I digress. I had our babysitter take a couple pictures before we left the house because I'm trying to get better at remembering to have pictures of us taken together...

I changed them to black and white and if you saw the combo we had on in color, trust me, you'd thank me for it! Don used to sneakily color-coordinate his outfits with me before church or other occasions when we'd be seen together. He didn't do that on Saturday and we CUH-LASHED in a big way! My apologies to anyone who sustained a headache or psychadelic reaction from seeing my zebra print dress, red accessories and wedge sandals (I packed flip flops in my purse to walk back to the car in because I'm OLD and can't do heels), and Don's CONSTRUCTION zone orange shirt all together. Oh yeah, did I mention I forgot to change out of my lavender and white print handbag? Yikes, where's Stacy and Clinton when you need them? However, the name of Michael's tour is Crazy Love and boy did we fit that! Please don't get me wrong...I LOVE Don because he is not AFRAID to wear color.

We had a great dinner and on the way to the concert I started messing around with my little, lightweight, old point and shoot digi camera.




You can't tell we don't get out much can you? I'm pretty sure I saw some of my spinach salad on one of the pictures of me. Oops...Like I said, we're sooo crazy...

It was a great evening! The opening act was a group called Naturally 7 and let's just say they've mastered the art of beatboxing. I was going to call them an a cappella group but that really means without the sound of instruments and this group made ALL the instrument sounds WITH their voices, so I guess beatboxing is a closer description or perhaps a vocal band. It was super entertaining and they were very talented.

Then Mr. Buble' came on and he is wonderful live and in concert! I am not an avid concert-goer but I know that live and recorded don't always sound the same. However, he sounded incredible live. I was really surprised by how talkative and personable he was and how much he interacted with the audience. I am sorry I don't have any pictures to share of the adorable Canadian swooner live and in concert. I assumed cameras wouldn't be allowed, so I didn't bring mine. For the first time, I snapped a couple of pictures and video clips on my phone--a feature I didn't know I had--and now I don't know what to do to get it off of there...(Seriously, we don't spend a lot of money on technology and gadgets in our household!) Anyway, I'm pretty sure any picture I took on my camera looks like the psychadelic blur of our previously referenced outfits in color...But his website was so kind to let me download these.



I know I may be over emphasizing how dreamy he is but, honestly, I really was just glad to be on a nice, fun date with my hubby and am truly thankful for his thoughtful present to me AND the means to be able to have a night out on the town together.

Warning: Shameless self-promotion...I'm trying to catch up on Lindy's blog and will be blogging a thing or two on mei mei's soon. Check them out--if you want--for more news about what's going on with our family.

Pictures from Port A

We just got back yesterday evening from a brief stint at the beach with Don's youngest sister, Anne, and her family. Lindy was super thrilled to spend time with her Colorado girl cousins--Livi (5) and Sadie (3)--and we were thankful to have the chance to visit with Anne and Robbie.



It was great to get away from the to-do list and live without a set agenda for a few days. Well, I guess beach time, pool time, and putting away seafood technically are agenda items but you get my drift...

Didn't you get the memo, Don? NO to-do lists or agendas!

There! That's more like it. Some people PAY big money for a mud exfoliation treatment. It is much better FREE and at the hands of preschoolers.

I've been super frustrated with my photography skills (or lack, thereof) lately. I see more and more pictures I want to take and perfect backdrops but I'm not successful at seizing the moment or the driver seems less than thrilled to stop and let me out to explore. I also really, really, really wonder how one takes great beach shots without trashing one's equipment?! Perhaps I should have asked that BEFORE my trip and not after. Between the severe humidity, wind, sand, and splashes, I was a nervous wreck and probably took fewer shots at the beach than ever. I also couldn't see a thing through the viewfinder!

Anyway, for those of you who HAVE been successful at capturing beach shots, I'd love to know how you lovingly protect your equipment and get it to cooperate, as well as get so many wonderful shots despite the elements. (Mine fogs because of the humidity!) Is the key just to keep shooting and not spend so much time trying to search out the angle, settings, etc.??? I decided on day one, though, that I wasn't going to dwell on it and pout about it. Instead, I'm just choosing to be thankful for the memories I captured, not critique them too heavily, and keep trying to get better.

Uncle Robbie and the girls

A beautiful sunset!

A night at the WINDY ballfield! Life is sweet in the cheap seats.

Walk softly, but carry a big shovel!

It's a good look for her, don't you think?

Sadie might just be on a future cover of Sp*rt's Illustrated...

Anne, this TOTALLY counts as working out and lifting!

One word for all you future beach goers--REAPPLY!

No words...
...needed...
...about my loves...

Excited about a treasure--a dead crab.

I am kind of excited to have a TIMELY blog post, for once. Now back to my piles of laundry...Oy vay.

Hope you are having a fun and festive summer!

BTW, blogger, why are you italicizing this when I'm asking you not to?!

What makes you cry?

"A woman wears her tears like jewelry." ~Author Unknown

I am deviating from all the blog posts I have told myself I'll post and writing something completely random...

I have a confession. I am a cryer. There. I've said it. I am a genuine, true blue "bawl bag." For the most part, I don't think I'm weak, extremely fragile, overly sensitive, or totally irrational. I have my moments but I did include a caveat at the beginning of the last sentence! I'm just VERY affected and moved to the point of tears about LOTS of things. Just this week I have cried at a few things--including hearing my Chinese born daughter singing, "Red, White, & Blue" the song they sang in preschool about the flag and hearing her chant "I am Proud to be an American and live in the USA." I cried as I watched Charlotte's Web--not just because of the story but because of the beautiful, breathtaking scenery, and the one that surprised me the most was boo-hooing at an OnStar commercial. I've lost it at Hallmark commercials and phone commercials but I was genuinely stunned when I found myself crying as I listened to a commercial of a panic-stricken mother calling OnStar to let them know she had locked her keys in her car with her young child. Some people could be all judgmental and think she was an idiot but as a mom I know things can happen in a blink of an eye and my heart hurt for that mom, so I cried for her. Subsequently, Don and Lindy both looked at me like I was a lunatic.

So I got to thinking about some of the times I cry and thought I'd fly my flag and list a few:

• I cry EVERY time I watch Sleepless in Seattle.
• Along with that, I cry at Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride 2 and MANY other movies--still.
• I cry at Taylor Swift's song "Love Story." Ha! You thought it was going to be "Teardrops on my Guitar!"
  
• I cry when I read I Love You Like Crazy Cakes, Shaoey & Dot:Bug Meets Bundle, and Love You Forever. Show me that blue cover of Love You Forever at a baby shower and I'm already digging through my purse searching for a tissue.
  
• I often choke back mega tears during an airplane landing (somewhere else other than coming home). Not really sure why. I think it is either because I am about to see a loved one I haven't seen in a while or I am usually going somewhere with some beautiful scenery and I'm overcome by seeing God's handiwork such as the mountains, ocean, lush greenery, fall colors...
• I cry when I see a bride.
• I cry when I hear beautiful and powerful music.
  
• I cry when we sing "10, 000 Angels," "Precious Memories," and "Because He Lives" at church because they really stir my emotions. The first song paints such a vivid account in my mind of Jesus' death that I really feel like I am there witnessing the horrific event that has given me life.
  
• I cry when I see dead animals. I don't necessarily lose it when I see the mushed up armadillos or possums but a dead deer, dog, or cat makes me sad to the point of tears.
• I cry each time I see pictures/videos of adoptive parents meeting their child for the first time.
• I cry when I watch a live production of something. It isn't always because what I'm watching is sad, really powerful, or life-changing. I think I'm in a heightened emotional state of excitement and awe over the talent I'm witnessing and then I'm overcome. It happened during Mary Poppins last year and Disney on Ice this year. Tinker Bell, really??? Strange? Wait. Don't answer that.
  
• I cry when I see the flag, a military ceremony, and military homecomings.
• I cry at goodbyes.
  
• I cry when I see beautiful things and think about people who are beautiful to me.
  
• I cry when I think about my memories of tree-lined streets during autumn. The colors, smells, sounds are so vivid in my mind. I guess I always loved that scene because I even wrote a poem about that very thing when I was in 8th grade.
• I cry when I think about how kind and generous so many people have been in my life and the many times I've received true sacrificial love.
  
• I cry when I try to do something and fail. In school it was math. In adulthood it has usually been a craft or kitchen blunder. I have a yummy, to die for chocolate chip shortbread cookie recipe that my friend Megan gave me years ago. I still haven't mastered that recipe but one day Don won't find me in the corner of the kitchen curled up in a ball crying and all my friends will feast on proper butter-filled shortbread that isn't in shards.
  
• I cry when I think about the hardships people have had to endure and continue to endure and I cry more when I realize that I'm so blessed but don't do a banner job showing God and people around me that I'm thankful.
• I think, therefore I cry. If I let my mind wander too far about a lot of things, I cry.

There have been times I've been kind of ashamed at how easy it is for me to cry. Through the years, though, I've learned that is how God constructed me and I'm okay with it. It is kind of part of who I am. I try not to judge people who don't cry a lot and hope that those people don't judge me.

Now that my remaining 3.2 readers are scrambling to remove this blog from their blog list or unfriend me on Facebook, I'm kind of curious to hear what makes you cry...

Sealed with a salty kiss~
L.

Black and White Wednesday

She's Got A Way--Billy Joel

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her
And ev'rywhere she goes a million
Dreams of love surround her ev'rywhere

Traveling partners

June 12, 2010

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am severely behind on blogging. I have honestly thought of scrapping it and calling it quits. I may still merge the three blogs into one. I am not sure. Anyway, I decided it is easier to do random posts to catch up, rather than try to sequence them.

Last Sunday--June 13th--Don and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. That totally seems surreal and impossible to me. I can't begin to convey how thankful I am that God so carefully orchestrated our paths to meet and allowed us to become traveling partners for life. I was thinking about where he had been and where I had been before God plopped Don on a church pew behind me and my family in May 1991.

Don was born in CO, moved to UT when he was a baby, then grew up in TX. He went to college in MD and during that time he spent summers working in a lab at Los Alamos, NM, "cruising" on a submarine, docking in Israel and Hong Kong, traveling to PA for Army/Navy games, road tripping all around the country playing Ultimate Frisbee and watching Navy football (BEAT ARMY!). After he graduated, he went to Cancun, spent time in FL for his first round of flight school, and visited who knows where else. He already had logged thousands and thousands of miles in his personal travel log before he showed up in my life that wonderful May morning.

I, too, had a few miles in my log. I was born in southern CA, moved to HI at four months, moved back to CA, then moved to VA at eight, made my way to PA for 7th grade through my sophomore year of college, and moved back to CA--this time northern (Sacramento). During that time, I had been to many states, met hundreds of people, and thought I met "the one" more than once.

Though I am not sure why, it still amazes me how God chose two people who had known hundreds of people and lived and traveled all over the place to meet and fall in love. I am so thankful He did, though, and for the journey he has allowed us to continue to travel together. We have logged many miles together and prayerfully we will continue to do so. This past year has been filled with many detours and road blocks and I couldn't have survived without my traveling partner by my side.

Looking at the picture, above, I am amazed that man still loves me! Talk about crazy, big hair and chubby cheeks! Yikes. We had a great anniversary dinner at a place called Roaring Fork--sans Lindy--and a nice evening together. I ate so much, I felt like I might get ill at one point. Sorry for the visual. That NEVER happens, as I try not to eat to the point of feeling stuffed. Our anniversary is usually the only time we order an appetizer, main course, and dessert, so I totally wasn't used to the whole gamut and everything was so yummy I had to eat it all. Thanks to my sweetheart of a friend, Ashleigh, for sneaking behind my back and arranging to watch Lindy for the evening.

Since we brought Lindy home, we really haven't used a babysitter a lot so we don't experience "date" nights very often. I know, I know, all the relationship experts would get on to us about that but I truly think we have a very healthy, happy, and harmonious marriage, nonetheless. I know PLENTY of marriages that have far surpassed mine and date nights were non-existent. Ironically, though, both of us bought gifts for one another which included future date nights. I have to admit, I am kind of excited! It is a great excuse to dress up more than usual, have dessert with dinner, and maybe he and I will actually get our picture taken together more than once a year, too.

Re-entry into blogging with a B&W Wednesday

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row."

-Children's Nursery Rhyme

It has been ages since I've been on blogger and even longer since I've blogged. I hope to get back to some blogging soon but thought I'd get my feet wet by doing a simple entry for B&W Wednesday.

I was perusing some photos for a little home project I want to work on and thought this little picture would be a good one to use to convert to black and white. My little prissy girl doesn't really like to get dirty but she does like to do some light gardening, hunt for rolly pollies and other non-objectionable creatures, and experience nature--strictly on her terms. Hmmm...kind of sounds like her momma (minus the creature part).

Hope everyone has had a wonderful spring and that your gardens are growing with grandeur.

Black and White Wednesday

It has been a few weeks since I've been able to participate in Black and White Wednesday and I've missed posting and checking in on my fellow B&W buds. However, it has been kind of a crazy time and I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed and behind in many areas of my life. As a result, I have major blogger backlog and will try to catch up on some posts soon.

Spring has come with a vengeance here and I've been sniffing, coughing, and hacking to prove it. I suppose it doesn't help that we've had the windows open (which I typically love) AND Don has been doing some dust-generating projects around the house.

While Lindy and I were in Kansas visiting my parents, I came home to an absolute MESS in my house because Don had been working so hard. I don't know, perhaps this is why I've been sneezing and sniffing:




I know this is such a weird thing to photograph and subsequently post and the quality isn't really very good to boot (I was experimenting with macro and no flash but still got glare). At this point, you may be wondering if that Lisa Osborn has ANY pride or dignity, whatsoever. Believe me, I am too. However, it was one of those things that happened really quickly and my first reaction was, "Lindy DON'T run your fingers through the dust, you'll scratch the furniture." But as I looked at it, besides the fact that I know I have more dusting to do than time, it made me smile thinking about this little girl who places a heart on top of her "L" and loves to make things fancy and pretty.

Go over to Lisa's blog if you'd like to see some much better B&W work! I have to get back to d, du, dusting!

Please pray

July 2009

~~~~~~~Update to the post below~~~~~~~

Thank you sweet friends for all your prayers and concern. My family has felt the awesome covering!

I am thrilled to report Dad was released from ICU on Friday evening and released from the hospital on Saturday night. He is still struggling with his vision (because the bleeding is still there behind his eyes) and there are some other issues, such as balance, weakness, and minor impacts to his speech (specifically recalling and finding words). We are praying that with time he will experience more progress and return to his spunky and active self. We're all going to need an extra measure of patience during in the process because we want our dad/husband/grandpa back the way he was--NOW. We pray there isn't permanent damage or that any damage is minimal. We believe God is the great physician and can and will accomplish all our requests. We also know if that isn't God's will, we will adjust and make the best of the circumstance.

Often during times of trials and tragedy, people refer to the verse, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28. I use it as well but I admit there are times I just can't begin to imagine what the "good" is in certain situations. Yesterday in church our preacher referred to this verse as he spoke of the life of David and said the "good" is often our "deconstruction" which ultimately gives way to the reconstruction of a better, more godly person. So it is my prayer that I will use this event to deconstruct and then become a more caring, empathetic, patient, loving, faithful, and kind person.

Since my dad is now at home, Lindy and I are going to travel tomorrow to be with my parents and help out however possible and mainly just love on them. My heart has been heavy not being near them during these past few days.

Thanks, again, for your kind words and thoughts!

With love & gratitude~
Lisa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was gorgeous outside. Lindy played for hours outside and I had the windows open. We shared a picnic lunch. I watched the butterflies, the bees happily working around the blossoms of the Bradford Pear, and saw my first glimpse of Texas wildflowers. I donned my first "spring-like" outfit and was even having a fairly good hair day. It was close to perfection. It was also one of those days where I was reminded how life can change in an instant, that I'm not a little kid, and to always make the most of every opportunity. I was also reminded of many other things, including how much I love my dad.

At about 6:00 last night I got a call from my mom telling me my dad had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was in ICU. To make matters worse, it happened while he was driving so he was in a car accident. Thankfully, he was not injured, nor was the other driver. His vehicle was totaled.

He has lost vision because of the bleeding in his brain but is completely lucid and feels fine. He has had many tests and so far there aren't many answers. They do say this was not his first stroke or brain bleed. They don't see any signs of tumors but they aren't sure what is causing the bleeding. They also can't say whether he'll regain his vision.

Please pray that my dad will have a complete recovery and will be able to resume a normal life. Please also pray for my mom to have strength and peace as she worries about him and takes care of him. They have been married almost 44 years and are true companions.

I know this could've been so much worse and I praise God for the protection he gave my dad (as well as the other driver). I also know they could've found some really bad things in his brain and am glad they haven't. I am worried and feel helpless as I think of my beloved parents going through this trial two states away. I'm in a holding pattern and will make some travel decisions soon.

I would appreciate any prayers you would say for our family.

With love and thanks~
Lisa

Black and White Wednesday

Throughout the year it is pretty common for me to have bud vases on the table filled with bouquets of weeds. Right now I have three dandelions and some clover adorning my kitchen table. To Lindy these aren't weeds but beautiful treasures.

On Valentine's Day, it was pretty enough to let her run through the yard barefoot. She immediately scored some great treasures and salivated when she saw a little crop of dandelions waiting to be blown into the wind.





I hope someday to have the knowledge and tools to really enhance these pictures and improve their look. However, I do love the moment in time that was captured...

Find your way over to Lisa's blog if you want to see more black and white shots.

May you always find beauty where ever you look!

Calling all Marthas...

A few weeks ago I was at H*meG*ods--one of my favorite hangouts. As I was combing the clearance section, I snatched up what I considered to be two WONDERFUL deals--The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The Original Classics (2007 edition) and The Martha Stewart Cookbook: Collected Recipes for Every Day (1995 edition). I got each hardcopy book for about 1/5 of the original cover price.

After I got home, I was flipping through some of the pages and realized I was being a bit--okay, REALLY--delusional. I have several cookbooks, 100s of ripped out recipes from magazines and newspapers waiting for their turn to become a tried and true, and the entire worldwide web at my fingertips! As much as I'd like to consider myself a "Martha" (minus the gig in prison), let's call a spade a spade. I'm truly more of a simple girl and really am more likely to cook from recipes with less than five ingredients--one of them being cream of something soup. I saw the movie Julie & Julia and LOVED it (see it immediately, if you haven't already) but there is NO way I'm going to undertake something like Julie Powell did with Mastering the Art of French Cooking!

Delusional or not, I still get a rush from a good find, as well as from being able to treat someone.

Sooooo, IF you would like the chance to add one of these books to your collection, please let me know which one you're most interested in by March 12th. To be fair, I'll draw a name for each book and happily send the winner his/her book of choice.

Bon appetit~
Lisa

And the winners are...

I'd like to congratulate the three winners from my Random Acts of Kindness giveaway!

There were 15 contestants...


Then my lovely assistant chose the first winner....


And it is Tamra from Variety is the Spice of Life. Tamra is about six weeks away from giving birth to her first child. Shopping for her prize will be great fun!

Then we needed another...


Congratulations, Heather, from Our Little Ladybugs. I know you said you didn't want to be "entered" but you were, friend! Um, I think you got your gift in the mail today. Hope you enjoy it.

One more to go...

It is Kayren from LUVTHEBABIES. I'm thinking about this one...Hmmm....I have a couple things in mind for Kayren. If that sounds like you should insert an evil laugh, don't. Only good intentions here.

Congratulations to my three special winners. Thanks for the "random" information you shared. To those of you who didn't "win," I wish I could do something for all of you. Come back again, though.

Remember to spread kindness where ever you go!

xoxo~
Lisa

Black and White Wednesday

It is Black and White Wednesday at Lisa's place and as I was searching for a picture to convert, I found this one from June 2008 and knew I had to use it.

Adoring, devoted, hard-working, faithful, strong, caring, loving, and sacrificing are just some of the words that come to mind when I look at this picture of my beloved grandma and mom. I love these women fiercely and can't even begin to explain how much they mean to me. They are two of my biggest supporters and sources of love. I pray everyone who reads this post has at least ONE someone in their life that gives the same kind of love these two have given me.

Happy Black and White Wednesday~
Lisa

Black and White Wednesday

Today for B&W Wednesday, I present one of my absolute FAVORITE pictures.


This picture makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes as it represents such pure joy, serenity, and love. I snapped it on one of our last days in China and I seriously could stare at it all day and would wallpaper the house with it, if I could. :-)

In her referral, Lindy was described as a "moderate sleeper." Beware for those waiting for referrals--that is code for fairly light sleeper. Lindy is an active and alert child and doesn't like to miss much. This is one of the handful of times she's actually fallen asleep in our arms. Don, on the other hand, has no problem falling asleep. I've often wondered if he has narcolepsy.

To see them both asleep on a noisy city bus was pure bliss. It was one of those moments when I knew that EVERY single doubt, fear, tear, meltdown, sleepless night, nervous stomach had been worth getting to this point. At last our arms were no longer empty and our hearts were beyond full.

I am off to check out the other entries at Lisa's blog. Before you do the same, check out the post before this one and enter my Random Acts of Kindness giveaway!

Better late than never--GIVEAWAY!!!

"What is desirable in a person is kindness..."
Proverbs 19:22

I just realized yesterday--after seeing it on a school billboard--that this is Random Acts of Kindness Week. For the past two years, I have had a giveaway during the week. Obviously, I'm a bit late.

This year, I (or my lovely assistant, Lindy) will RANDOMLY choose THREE winners to receive a gift. Last year I asked people to talk about what they do to be kind and the previous year I asked people to describe acts of kindness they've received. As I recall, people were much more comfortable writing about kindness they'd received.

To mix it up this year, you can share one random fact about yourself. Yep. That's all. I'm not going to make you follow my blog or Tweet about this or blog about it or become my Facebook friend. Just leave me one teensy, eensy, random fact and you're entered.

I'll close the entries on February 28th and then draw three winners.

Have fun and be kind--all the time!

xoxo~
L

Black and White Wednesday

I can't believe it is Wednesday again and how quickly the days go by (except for the baby we look forward to bringing home).

This week I decided to give you a break and deviate from my main subject (Miss Lindy) and look for another photo to convert to black and white. During our trip to visit family in California for Christmas, we took a little jaunt to the Santa Monica pier. It was a gorgeous December day and the pier was hopping. I snapped a quick picture of the infamous ferris wheel and loved seeing the colors of the wheel against the beautiful backdrop of a crystal blue sky.

I got to thinking that there is something kind of old-fashioned about ferris wheels and decided to change this photo to black and white. If it weren't for the condos, you might even think it is a picture from long ago.


I look forward to seeing all the other entries at Lisa's this week for Black and White Wednesday!

Black and White Wednesday

I missed Black and White Wednesday at Lisa's last week but wanted to add something this week. My poor camera hasn't been seeing much action since Christmas. Unfortunately, that is pretty much the way things go EVERY year around here. Anyway, was only playing around yesterday and I snapped one or two of Lindy as she was looking kind of festive for Valentine's Day.

It sure could use A LOT more editing but I don't know how to do what I need to do and I'm pretty sure I don't have the tools to do it. I wanted to add a pop of color so I tried keeping the color in her bow using one of the editing options in Picasa (see, I told you I'm a complete novice).

Happy Black and White Wednesday and Valentine's Day~
Lisa