Perfect Moments Monday - Another Birthday

Thank you for stopping by for Perfect Moments Monday. Tomorrow is my 47th birthday and it reminded me of a Most Perfect Moment that occurred two years ago on my 45th birthday.
Our sons participate in Scouting and I was asked by my older son's troop leader to conduct a First Aid Skills challenge for 250 boys over the course of a weekend that just happened to fall on my birthday. (Birthdays aren't such a big deal when the years go by so fast that sometimes both you and your parents forget your age!!) I agreed to spend the weekend with a bunch of smelly preteen and teen boys and no flush toilets even though I was disappointed I would not be with my husband and younger son on my birthday. We planned to celebrate as a family when I got home.
So my older son and I packed up the minivan with camping gear and a few more boys and off we went to Camp Jubilee in the Kern Mountains 100 miles away. I spent the full day until evening on Saturday working with scouts from all over Southern California on learning life saving skills such as a two man carry or responding to a choking emergency. It was alot of fun and very rewarding for me despite the hot and dusty conditions. After an enjoyable and exhausting day, I was looking forward to relaxing around the campfire. I had finished packing up my medical supplies and equipment and was walking into camp when I looked up and saw my youngest son! I said, "Son, what are you doing here?" as my jaw hit the ground. I then saw my husband by our tents with a huge birthday cake! He went to the bakery and then drove 100 miles one way to spend the evening with me on my birthday. That single act of love was absolutely one of the best gifts I have ever received. The joy of that moment and the demonstration of my husband's love takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes even now two years later. Okay, off to get more tissues. (I'm going to start calling this "Mess Up Mascara Mondays.") I hope you too have a memorable perfect moment on your birthday and when you least expect it.

(Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for everything. It all started with you. xoxo M)

Show and Tell: Iron Commenting

Commenter is the correct spelling for someone who comments, but Iron Commentor is what I received and I’m proud and humbled to post the ILCW (International Comment Leaving Week) button. I’ve learned and been touched so much by reading over 122 blogs this past week. (Yes, I can speed read and I woefully neglected my chores.)

A blog can be a therapist’s couch, a clinical journal, or a recipe or book review club, among many other configurations. It moves me to see a small glimpse of others’ lives and journeys and some I hope to revisit. It has been another lesson in the brutal and beautiful life that I claim as my own; warts, rainbows, and all. It also helped me define my mission statement for my blog. I want my blog for the most part to be a tea house or saloon (depending on your time zone or mood) where you can put your feet up, have a cuppa, or a crisp, cool California Chardonnay, or shot of Patron Tequila, and share a smile, tissues if needed.

I thank you sincerely for participating in ILCW and inviting me into your homes, thoughts, and dreams. Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope to see you soon. Wishing you a Great Rest of your day and weekend,
Martha

From dictionary dot com

verb (used with object)
9. to make comments or remarks on; furnish with comments; annotate.

—Related forms
com•ment•a•ble, adjective
com•ment•er, noun

Post Script- Rest In Peace, Mr.Newman, Thank you for "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" and "The Sting". Thank you also for The Painted Turtle Camps and your family charities. Godspeed on your journey, I consign you to the stars.

Axioms of Beauty and Fashion

"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes."
Henry David Thoreau

Please fear for me and pray for me if you are of a religious bent. I am going to a Ladies Charity luncheon this Sunday and am contemplating what to wear. (I haven't worn anything but jeans, tshirts, and sneakers for like, oh, 6 months.) This upcoming event inspires me to share my Axioms or Truths of Beauty and Fashion.

The bigger your hurry, the bigger the sneeze will be that messes up your mascara.

The bigger the occasion, the greater the likelihood you will get the biggest zit of your life.

The cuter the jeans make your butt look; the more quickly they will be discontinued by the manufacturer. The shoe corollary to this truth is, the more comfortable the sneaker, the more quickly it will be discontinued.

The prettier the dress in your perfect style and color, the higher the likelihood is, that the store won’t have your size.

The sexier the dress, the more uncomfortable are the undergarments required for wearing it. The shoe corollary to this truth is; the sexier the shoes, the more uncomfortable they are.

Any others I missed or forgot in my fashion ignorance? Many thanks!

Prize Winner/Political Junkie

Thank you all so much to those who played along with my goofy guessing game. I appreciate the laughs and some of my favorite guesses were "bird flying overhead", (yes, Sara, waaaaay off) to squished caterpiller or moth, ugh. Oil stain was a good one too, so Thank you for your participation. I'm pleased to announce our Winner...

Congratulations to KCCat, who correctly guessed "Old gum". She was our First Runner Up but will receive the prize as the First Winner, Liam, declined it. (I guess Lavender or Tuberose Organic Shower gel doesn't appeal to him? My first male commentator btw.) Liam guessed the right answer within one minute of me posting. How creepy is that? Anyway, I'm delighted to announce our Winner, KCCat and again, thanks for your participation. (I feel a little like Ed McMahon and The Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, except of course, my Beverly Hills Mansion is Not in foreclosure.) Disclaimer- I Do Not Live Anywhere Near B.H., like 30 miles away and on the other side of the "Hill". (Santa Monica Mountains) (Like my reverting into Valley girl talk? It's a second language or maybe my third after Brooklynese.)

I don't know if anyone is paying attention to the US Presidential Campaign, but regardless of your political bent or where you live, these are some crazy times in US History. I used to consider myself somewhat apolitical as most Buddhists do, but now, I'm a Political Junkie, clicking on cnn or google news to get my fix multiple times a day. I will be so totally bummed if the first Presidential Debate does not go on tomorrow as scheduled. I think that would be a Huge Mistake for the Republicans, but last time I checked, the McCain and Palin campaign advisors weren't calling me for my woman on the street opinion. (Actually woman in the Burbs). Neither is Obama's campaign, but sounds like "It's Game On" for the Democrats. Anybody else looking forward to November 5th so we can get back to our regularly scheduled country? That's assuming there is a clear winner, if not, it could be Thanksgiving until we know who takes home the Prize of the US Presidency.

Here's wishing you a winning day to you and yours. Thanks for clicking over.

Almost Wordless Wednesday/Beauty in Unexpected Places

There is a prize for the first correct guess about what this heart is made of. (I apologize that I can't figure out how to write that sentence without ending it in a preposition, a big No-No! Help me, Mrs.Spit!) Thank you and may you find beauty in an unexpected place.

Thrift Store Shopping in Los Angeles

I grew up going to flea markets and auctions with my mom, an Art and Antiques dealer. Things with a history and that show their use and wear appeal to me. Shopping at a flea market or thrift store is a form of recycling. I am on a constant decluttering mission, trying to get rid of something after I get something new, (well, new to me). So, I not only shop at thrift stores, but I also donate too.

There are some wonderful thrift stores and flea markets in my neighborhood and Los Angeles. Everytime I drop off things to Goodwill, I like to take a look around, especially since Halloween is coming. Some wonderful finds I have found at the thrift store include a full length leather coat for a play costume, a wool Irish walking cap, and a set of Calphalon cookware and chef's bowls.

The mother of all flea markets in Los Angeles is held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena monthly. Just imagine acres and acres of stuff, antique hardware, vintage clothing, costume jewelry, religious artifacts, horse tack, old pictures, books, and vinyl records. I've been to the monthly flea market at the Santa Monica airport too and it's smaller with lots of furniture, but I was happy to see Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic fame there.

Also in Los Angeles is a hidden gem of a thrift store, St.Vincent De Paul Society. This place is huge, probably the size of a Home Depot. They have a great selection of used furniture. I've gotten a very nice sleeper love seat and a wing chair which was reupholstered and Voila, Brand new furniture for a third of the cost. Plus, I got to pick out the fabric and they were well made with a solid wood frame.

Another fun stop on our Bargain basement tour of LA is Magnolia Street in Burbank. There are some fun antique shops, thrift stores, and one of my favorite stores, "It's A Wrap", which sells the wardrobes used in television and movies. My niece bought gorgeous jewel encrusted sandals and full length hot pink gloves worn on General Hospital. My son got a black fedora from "The Mark of Zorro" which is the closest I will ever get to Antonio Bandaras, sigh.

That concludes our tour for today. Next time I'm in the mood to shop (not too often, fortunately!!), I'll give you the lowdown on downtown LA including our wholesale flower, jewelry, fabric, and fashion districts. Also, my husband is taking me to Little India soon where I expect to find new treasures and bargains galore! Thank you for your time and may you find your treasure at a very good price!

Perfect Moment Monday/Warning Sad Post

I have a Perfect Moment to share this Monday, that truly was just a moment. I feel my heart quicken and my chest tighten even now as I recall this moment. It is a perfect moment with a horribly imperfect beginning or more accurately "ending".

My 10 y/o son has a best friend who we have known ever since they were both infants at the same daycare. As often happens, your children's friends and their families become your friends. Such is the case with this family. The dad of the family, (E), was a landscape contractor we hired to help us redo our backyard 4 years ago. (Don't hire your friends or family to do work but that's another post for another time.) The backyard turned out great with the associated blood, sweat, and tears. Both families are really proud and happy of the result. Flash forward 18 months, (E) is fatally injured in an accident and dies in the Emergency room leaving his wife and two school age children. I remember sitting at the stop light while an ambulance raced by and when my boys fussed about being late for baseball practice, I said, "That might be someone we know or one of us", little did I know how right I was. (E)'s death stunned and grieved us all, but of course none more so than his widow (my dear friend) and their young children. She was worried that friends and family would abandon her, but we have been, are, and will continue to be there for this family. They are now part of our family, the best kind, the kind we choose.

I apologize for the lengthy background, now onto my Perfect Moment which touched my heart so deeply. My son, his friend, and I were in our flower garden where I recently installed a drip irrigation set up for my sprinklers. (I am a woman of many talents, what can I tell you?) My son was showing off my handiwork to his friend which quite amused and flattered me. I said to our friend, this sweet child, "Yes, your dad showed me how to do this, I learned so much from him." The look of joy that suffused our little friend's face filled me with so much happiness and sadness all at once. I realized by talking about his dad, that his father was alive for him once more, if only for that fleeting moment.

So for those few seconds, I had the privilege to take a little of the burden from this small child. My offhand comment affirmed to this boy, "I will remember your dad and he will always be a part of our lives and family."

I have to get some tissues, I'm a teary mess over here. I hope you have a great rest of your day, thank you for listening.