I love my camera.
We bought a Panasonic Lumix camera with a Leica lens right after we had the kiddo. Had to have a great camera to capture all those precious moments. It's taken many amazing pics and it's never far away from my hand.
Now that the kiddo is a big boy, HE wants to take all the pictures. I guess he is so used to seeing me do it, he figures it's perfectly fine to just pick it up and start snapping away.
So now when I pick up the camera and view the photos on the memory card, I see lots of pics like these:
His hair...maybe only a portion of it.
An eye...maybe 2 if I'm lucky.
Random toys. Lots and lots of toys.
And my personal favorite, smudges from his fingers on the lens.
He's a budding Ansel Adams I tell ya!
And then there's the series of self portraits...those are just genius!
So I wonder...is he talented or what?
I guess only time will tell!
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
BRRRR!!!!!!
It's a balmy 20 degrees here this morning.
With a 13 MPH wind...gusting to 25 MPH.
Which gives us a wind chill temp of 7.
Yep...that's S-E-V-E-N. As in one more than six.
This Florida girl was shivering in her size 7 Fuggs this morning!
I got the Kiddo off for school this morning bundled in his 3 layers, hat, gloves...the works! And he didn't even complain about the cold! He was just excited to see the snow flurries flying around again.
Which brings me to the subject of today's blog...
I want a do-over of yesterday.
Yesterday was the perfect Sunday...a fire roaring in the fireplace all day, football on the TV, and snow flurries falling on and off throughout the day.
The white stuff started coming down in the morning and picked up a bit around lunch time...giving us just enough on the ground to play in and EAT.
The kiddo had snow all over his glove after picking up handfuls and trying to eat it.
Ahh. I wonder where he gets those ideas? (Me...totally me.)
But the joy on his face is the real reason yesterday was so much fun. There's nothing like a snow day.
Have a great week!
With a 13 MPH wind...gusting to 25 MPH.
Which gives us a wind chill temp of 7.
Yep...that's S-E-V-E-N. As in one more than six.
This Florida girl was shivering in her size 7 Fuggs this morning!
I got the Kiddo off for school this morning bundled in his 3 layers, hat, gloves...the works! And he didn't even complain about the cold! He was just excited to see the snow flurries flying around again.
Which brings me to the subject of today's blog...
I want a do-over of yesterday.
Yesterday was the perfect Sunday...a fire roaring in the fireplace all day, football on the TV, and snow flurries falling on and off throughout the day.
The white stuff started coming down in the morning and picked up a bit around lunch time...giving us just enough on the ground to play in and EAT.
The kiddo had snow all over his glove after picking up handfuls and trying to eat it.
Ahh. I wonder where he gets those ideas? (Me...totally me.)
But the joy on his face is the real reason yesterday was so much fun. There's nothing like a snow day.
Have a great week!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Greatest Woman I Ever Knew...
She was born Pattie Jane Blount on August 26, 1951 to a middle class family in Tampa, Florida. With white blond hair and big blue eyes, she looked like a baby cherub...so cute and chubby!
As she grew, she became a beautiful young woman...and she dropped the 'E' at the end of her name. From then on, she was known as Patti.
She met and fell in love with Michael Bernaldo at a high school football game in 1966 and married him 2 weeks after graduation in June of 1969.As she grew, she became a beautiful young woman...and she dropped the 'E' at the end of her name. From then on, she was known as Patti.
They had a baby girl in April of 1970. They named her Monica. She was the apple of their eye and started a happy life together.
3 years later, they were ready to grow their family again and along game a 2nd daughter, Jessica, in March of 1974. They moved to a larger home in 1978 and the happy times continued.
Until the came to an end in 1980. Patti and Michael split up and divorced in 1981. Patti found a job and became a single mom. She raised her girls and found the strength to begin a whole new life.
She started going out socially and dating...something she never thought she'd ever have to do. But she made an incredible life for herself and her girls. She changed jobs a few times...always moving up to something bigger and better.
In 1990, she got a job with Ford Motor Credit and along with that came a great salary and benefits. Her girls were all grown up and were becoming strong women...just like she had taught them to be. Patti never wanted her girls to be in the position she was put into when her marriage fell apart.
Monica was now in college and Jessica a sophomore...the years were flying by. Patti had a few serious boyfriends during the years but nothing serious enough to make her want to take the leap into marriage again.
Until she met Dick Saa in the late 80's. The relationship got off to a rocky start...Patti was dating his cousin and met Dick at a party where they were both in line for the bathroom. He was in front of her and she tried her best to get him to let her go first. He refused she hated him from that moment on.
She would run into him socially for the next couple of years, always mentioning him to her 2 daughters...telling them what a jerk he was.
Until things changed. The loathing turned into respect the more Patti and Dick got to know one another. Dick was divorced, too with 2 young children...Paul and Lindsey. Their mother had remarried and moved to Georgia, taking the kids with her. Dick had been devastated when they left and he took frequent trips North to make sure he still had a presence in his son and daughter's lives.
Patti was impressed. Any man who loved his kids the way Dick did was a good man in her eyes. The respect turned into love and Patti and Dick were married in March of 1991. They shared a deep love and respect for one another...and their marriage was well balanced. They complimented each other well and were so happy together.
Together with Michael and his wife Rhonda, they saw Monica and Jessica both marry...in 1998 and 2000, respectively. And they welcomed their first grandchild, CJ (Monica's son) in June of 2000. Patti was happy...married and in love, both of her daughters married and happy, and she had a new grand-baby to spoil.
Then came cancer. Patti was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in April of 2002.
She would need all her strength for this battle. Still a Ford employee, she took advantage of all those great benefits and took a leave from work so she could focus on her treatment.
She started chemo right away. Jessica would fly from her new home in Georgia as much as she could so she could sit with Patti while she was getting her chemo treatments. And Patti did great...she responded well and after 8 rounds of chemo, she was in remission by Christmas 2002. The family celebrated the good news and Patti looked forward to getting her life back. She went back to work and everything was back to normal.
She had to leave work again and prepare for more chemo treatments...this time more aggressive. Patti was incredibly disappointed but determined to press on. She didn't want cancer to get the best of her. So she tried to fight it again.
But she didn't have the strength this time around. The treatments were harder and her body just wasn't responding like it did before. Patti had fought all her life...she had to be strong for herself, strong for her daughters, and strong for cancer...which she had already beat once. She didn't have any left for a second round.
In the Fall of 2003, Patti was declining in health. She arraigned a big Thanksgiving celebration and made sure all four of her kids were present. Jessica, Paul and Lindsey came from out of town and Monica and her family was there, too. It would be the last holiday Patti would spend with her family. Her body was so weak but her spirit was strong...she made the best of the holiday.
Jessica flew home after Thanksgiving but flew back for Patti's next doctor's appointment the following Monday. She had a feeling the news would not be good.
And it wasn't. Patti was too weak to continue chemo treatments. There was nothing else that could be done but make her comfortable. It was finally time to face the inevitable...Patti's time was limited. Jessica was determined to stay by her mother's side and took a leave from work. Her mother had been the strongest person she knew...and it was time to return the favor.
Patti was admitted to the hospital for fluids over the next few days and the local hospice had set up a mini hospital room at home for her. Dick brought Patti home for the last time that weekend and the word quickly spread. Their home was filled with family and friends over the next few days...Dick, Monica and Jessica never left her side.
On December 9, 2003 at approximately 7:45am, Patti Jane Blount Bernaldo Saa took her last breath.
Her husband, daughters and sons, grandson, family and friends all mourned the passing of an incredible woman. She lived such a full life...one filled with strength, grace, laughter and love.
Patti was incredibly special. There was never anyone like her. She touched the lives of so many and those that knew her will never forget her.
If you haven't figured it out by now, Patti was my mom.
And not a day goes by where I don't thank my lucky stars she was.
It's been 7 years now without her and I can't believe I have survived this long without her influence in my life. She was my everything...my mom, my best friend, my confidant, my secret keeper, my cheerleader. I depended on her for everything.
But I guess I did inherit a smidge of that famous strength since I have made it this long without her.
As much as I loved her, I am happy she has moved on from this world. She suffered so much in the end and I am thankful she has left that cancer filled body behind. I just wish she had lived long enough to see her kids so happy.
Monica had another baby in August of 2005...and my son was born 12 days later.
Having both her girls pregnant at the same time would have brought her so much joy.
Paul graduated from college and married his college sweetheart. Mom got to know his bride before she got sick and loved her. I think she knew they were meant for each other.
Lindsey graduated from college, too and bought her first home last year. She's studying for her PHD now. Mom would be so proud of her.
Dick has a girlfriend that makes him so happy. Sandy is perfect for him. He is living again and is a better man because of Mom's influence in his life.
We are all okay...living life and being happy.
And that's the best way to honor her memory.
Patti Jane Blount Bernaldo Saa
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Rejuvinated!
I'm home.
Well...I was home over the weekend but now I'm really back home.
Are you confused yet? Because I kinda am too.
I guess I really have 2 homes...the one I live in for about 350 days out of the year in Georgia.
And then there's the one I visit...where I spend the remaining days of the year. The one I called home for the first 24 years of my life.
Florida.
Ahhh. Just saying it brings a smile to my face.
The hubby, the kiddo and I flew down for the weekend...a quick trip to see the family and for my man to attend a football game.
And it was wonderful. I haven't had such a good time in ages.
There's something to be said with reconnecting with those you love that made you into the adult you are today. It's where you were raised...where you made all those decisions that set you on the path you walk today.
I had an amazing childhood. Yes, I was a child of divorced parents but somehow, my sister and I overcame that and our family did such a great job at making it all seem normal.
On this trip, I got to spend time with my amazing grandparents...just walking into their house makes my heart sing. I have never known a home filled with more love than theirs. My grandparents house will ALWAYS be home to me...more so than any other house I grew up in.
And we stayed with my sister's family...her boys and mine love each other so much. I wish they could play together every day.
Not to mention I'd like to play with my sister every day. She is my best friend in the world...and my soul mate. I am so glad we are so close. I can not imagine who I would be today without her influence in my life. I love her so much!
And I got to spend time with my dad and stepmom. They are so wonderful...we hung out with them Sunday night. 2 of my stepmom's kids were there, too. I so love this new family we have created. I only wish they had married earlier so I could have grown up with my new brothers and sister...they are terrific!
And my little niece Lily...oh my. What a precious little girl. She just turned one and she is the most adorable thing! She makes me want another baby BAD!
Finally, I got to spend time with my Mom's family who I rarely see anymore. Since my grandmother passed last year, I rarely see them anymore. It was great to spend time with them...and it made me feel closer to my Mom. Going home is always a little bittersweet knowing she's not there waiting for me.
But overall, it was awesome to reconnect with both sides of my family.
I am lucky to be a product of such wonderful people.
Now I am relaxed, rejuvenated, and more in touch with who I am and where I come from.
And only good things can come from that!
Have a great Tuesday!
Well...I was home over the weekend but now I'm really back home.
Are you confused yet? Because I kinda am too.
I guess I really have 2 homes...the one I live in for about 350 days out of the year in Georgia.
And then there's the one I visit...where I spend the remaining days of the year. The one I called home for the first 24 years of my life.
Florida.
Ahhh. Just saying it brings a smile to my face.
The hubby, the kiddo and I flew down for the weekend...a quick trip to see the family and for my man to attend a football game.
And it was wonderful. I haven't had such a good time in ages.
There's something to be said with reconnecting with those you love that made you into the adult you are today. It's where you were raised...where you made all those decisions that set you on the path you walk today.
I had an amazing childhood. Yes, I was a child of divorced parents but somehow, my sister and I overcame that and our family did such a great job at making it all seem normal.
On this trip, I got to spend time with my amazing grandparents...just walking into their house makes my heart sing. I have never known a home filled with more love than theirs. My grandparents house will ALWAYS be home to me...more so than any other house I grew up in.
And we stayed with my sister's family...her boys and mine love each other so much. I wish they could play together every day.
Not to mention I'd like to play with my sister every day. She is my best friend in the world...and my soul mate. I am so glad we are so close. I can not imagine who I would be today without her influence in my life. I love her so much!
And I got to spend time with my dad and stepmom. They are so wonderful...we hung out with them Sunday night. 2 of my stepmom's kids were there, too. I so love this new family we have created. I only wish they had married earlier so I could have grown up with my new brothers and sister...they are terrific!
And my little niece Lily...oh my. What a precious little girl. She just turned one and she is the most adorable thing! She makes me want another baby BAD!
Finally, I got to spend time with my Mom's family who I rarely see anymore. Since my grandmother passed last year, I rarely see them anymore. It was great to spend time with them...and it made me feel closer to my Mom. Going home is always a little bittersweet knowing she's not there waiting for me.
But overall, it was awesome to reconnect with both sides of my family.
I am lucky to be a product of such wonderful people.
Now I am relaxed, rejuvenated, and more in touch with who I am and where I come from.
And only good things can come from that!
Have a great Tuesday!
Friday, December 3, 2010
What I'm Thankful For...
Okay so I'm a week late.
Sue me.
I decided today I would post the things I'm thankful for this year. Or just today. Or this week.
Forget it. Let's make this easy. Here's what I am currently thankful for.
First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my husband, son, and self.
And throw the rest of my family in there, too. Health is the greatest gift we can hope for.
I am also thankful for my husband's job. He is the sole provider for this family so everything depends on that paycheck.
I am also thankful for that job because it means we get to fly for free to Tampa this weekend...I haven't seen my family since July and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!
I am thankful for my friends...amazing women who deal with busy careers, kids, CANCER, husbands, crazy love-lives, and more every day and yet still find time to listen, love and laugh with me. I love you all!
I am thankful for the new clothes I bought last week on Black Friday. $130.00 boots for 29 bucks? Oh yeah...I'm thankful for that!
I'm thankful for the pumpkin pie I made last week that was AMAZING...my great-grandmother's recipe. I'll even deal with the weight I gained because I ate most of it by myself.
I'm thankful that I saw no kids in flip-flops this morning while taking the kiddo to school. All have been replaced with fuzzy, warm boots. Yay!
I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be the best or the biggest house but it's mine and I love it so.
And last but not least, I'm thankful for my readers. I appreciate all of you who read my thoughts and ideas. I hope I make your day even a tiny bit brighter.
Have a great weekend!
Sue me.
I decided today I would post the things I'm thankful for this year. Or just today. Or this week.
Forget it. Let's make this easy. Here's what I am currently thankful for.
First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my husband, son, and self.
And throw the rest of my family in there, too. Health is the greatest gift we can hope for.
I am also thankful for my husband's job. He is the sole provider for this family so everything depends on that paycheck.
I am also thankful for that job because it means we get to fly for free to Tampa this weekend...I haven't seen my family since July and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!
I am thankful for my friends...amazing women who deal with busy careers, kids, CANCER, husbands, crazy love-lives, and more every day and yet still find time to listen, love and laugh with me. I love you all!
I am thankful for the new clothes I bought last week on Black Friday. $130.00 boots for 29 bucks? Oh yeah...I'm thankful for that!
I'm thankful for the pumpkin pie I made last week that was AMAZING...my great-grandmother's recipe. I'll even deal with the weight I gained because I ate most of it by myself.
I'm thankful that I saw no kids in flip-flops this morning while taking the kiddo to school. All have been replaced with fuzzy, warm boots. Yay!
I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be the best or the biggest house but it's mine and I love it so.
And last but not least, I'm thankful for my readers. I appreciate all of you who read my thoughts and ideas. I hope I make your day even a tiny bit brighter.
Have a great weekend!
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