In Memory Mosaic

Filed Under Family, Memories | 34 comments

I took an early drive this morning with my camera to catch some quiet shots and great lighting. As I drove I passed a local cemetery and noticed how lovely it was dressed.

Spring has flown by without even really making an appearance, so you can understand that I had almost  forgotten it was Memorial Day.

Memorial day traditionally has been celebrated to honor those who have given their lives for us in the line of duty. But for many years it’s been a day to celebrate any of those who have left this earthy time with us. I love how we decorate our grave yards.

 

My cute Dad passed away a couple of years ago– He served his country and was blessed to be able to return to his family.

My thoughtful sister put together this collage for my Mom and Dad years ago and it has been quite a treasure.

 

I love how the young men “back then” had such pride in how they dressed.  Look at that cute way he tipped his hat.  So darn handsome.

Sadly not all come home. This photo was take byTHECoachesWife and posted on Flickr.  This is of the American Cemetery in France.

 

Luckily there are many more who do come home to a hero’s welcome.

This fantastic shot was by HISBRIDE – obviously he is his son’s HERO for sure.

I am so thankful to live in a beautiful country who so many have sacrificed so much so we could be free.  Thankful to all of the families who have given the ultimate sacrifce — I will never be able to thank you, but my hearts is bursting with pride every time I see a man or woman in uniform.

Some days I really worry about where our great country  is heading — but I also know that the American people are more awake than ever and will not let her fall.

The song highlighted today is a favorite of mine… Private Andrew Malone.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Claudia

PS… Stop by Mary’s place — LittleRedHouse is celebrating Mosaic Monday again.

 

 

May 30, 2010 at 4:56 pm | Family, Memories | 34 comments

Nursery Visit – Finding Beauty

Filed Under flowers | 23 comments

~~ *Welcome to Friday~~Finding Beauty*~~

Nothing Inspires a gardener more then a trip to a gorgeous Nursery!

This year, due to the inclemate weather and the lack of people dieing to get their garden’s all spiffed up… my favorite Nursery was still over flowing with color and delight!

This looks like a field of Purple Petunias, doesn’t it?  I was so tickled that the price tags weren’t showing.

While my color choice would be more on the purple or pinks this year– I couldn’t help but be drawn to these perfect red and orange… the color just popped off the green back ground.

Look at these unique critters!  Simply FUN and fancy and PINK!!  Remember to visit Pink Saturday (link is below).

I don’t even have an idea what the name of this handsome fellow is — but I sure think he would be fun to follow through summer.

These guys– they look like paper to me. mmmm…!

And lastly — a field of marigolds…. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a green thumb that could create this! (hope this didn’t offend my little brown thumb!

~~ ♥ ♥~~

Lastly– I have been on such silly drugs lately due to my lingering cold “stuff” that I didn’t get this post up at the correct time. Please forgive!

Tootsie  has such a great post today — stop by and say hi to her.

On Saturday remember to visit Beverly and the gals at Pink Saturday she is celebrating her 2Nd Anniversary and will have some give aways.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Now join in the fun with our Friday~~Finding Beauty-  Very important to LINK with-in your post to this one.

 

May 28, 2010 at 1:12 pm | flowers | 23 comments

Smiling through the clouds

Filed Under clouds | 20 comments

***I added a NEW  FOLLOWER button (see the right side bar below the music player)– if you get a minute I would love you to follow me, and leave me a comment so I can do the same for you! ***

Spring

has

been

very

reluctant.

I

cloud

watch

as

I

sit

a top

a quiet

mountain road

or

on a

park

bench

wondering

when

the gardens

will

sing

to

us

again.

The

clouds

tell

me

to

stop

and

breath.

They

whisper

telling me

to

relax

and

enjoy

the

BEAUTY

now.

Join Mary for Monday Mosaics.

Music Selection – Cloud Smiles

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

May 23, 2010 at 7:59 pm | clouds | 20 comments

Changed for Good

Filed Under Friends | 25 comments

***I added a NEW  FOLLOWER button (see the right side bar below the music player)– if you get a minute I would love you to follow me, and leave me a comment so I can do the same for you! ***

Are you a blogger like me?

I started down this DipityRoad thinking it would be a creative outlet for me to share the beauty I found around me.  I came across so many other talented bloggers who inspired me but mainly touched my heart. (Hence the Bleeding HEART photo —

Sherry (from Country Wings In Phoenix) was one that from the very beginning took the time out of her busy day to be one of my best cheerleaders and came to be a very cherished friend. She has a lovely blog that inspires and has such a lovely gaggle of friends!

Around Mother’s day she told us all she had a bit of health issue– then POOF!  Typically she blogged often, if not daily at least 3 times a week… not a word. I really missed her and was very worried, called her and emailed her — no word…

FINALLY — yesterday I got a welcomed email. She gave me permission to update all her friends with parts of her email.

Hi Sweetie!

Just a very quick note. I have been in the hospital for 8 long days.
I just got out late this evening. I wanted to drop you a quick line
and let you know I am home. I was admitted a week ago Monday,
they told me if I had waited one more day I would have been on the
respirator. My pneumonia got better, however I still have bronchitis
which triggered a very bad problem with my asthma and my lungs
have not been well. I am bruised, exhausted and so very weak.

You can update me on your blog if you like.
My lungs are weak right now. It will take me
awhile to bounce back. They have given me so
many steroids that I am bruising horribly. I did not
realize today how bad it really has been. I am exhausted
to just walk the hall to the bedroom and back. Family
is taking excellent care of me. Don’t know what I would
do without my sweet Heidi Girl and of course DH. They are
the BEST.
 
I so want to blog, but I just do not have the extra energy
right now. It is taking everything I have just to breathe.
I am taking breathing treatments every 1-2 hours and many
assorted meds to get back on track. I will be seeing the specialist
next week to update

So… for my Friday Finding Beauty entry — I’m finding beauty in knowing that a REAL friend (while I may have never seen her real twinkling eyes) is being well taken care of. 

I will keep you, sweetie Sherry,  in my prayers! Get well soon!  –

Today’s music selection is from the Broadway play “Wicked”

Take a moment to listen to the words, (here are a few lyrics)

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

 

TTFN~~ Claudia  ♥ ♥

Remember to stop by Beverly’s for Pink Saturday– such a colorful bunch!

I know I am a wee bit early for the Friday~~Finding Beauty , but I am working later and wanted to be sure and get this up… Pls forgive

~~ Please join us as we celebrate Friday~~Finding Beauty ~~

Be sure to leave a comment after you put your link up!

 

May 20, 2010 at 11:25 am | Friends | 25 comments

Spring – a perfect time for change

Filed Under Fridays Finding Beauty, spring | 30 comments

***I added a NEW  FOLLOWER button (see the right side bar below the music player)– if you get a minute I would love you to follow me, and leave me a comment so I can do the same for you! ***

For years and years I have kept a journal. I recall one of my English teachers telling our class that if we kept a journal, some day we could look back and see how far we had come.

That concept, in part, was why I started DipityRoad. One recurring theme through all the years of keeping my journal has been  my constant yearning to “become a better me”.

A couple of weeks ago I finished reading Geneen Roth’s Women Food and God. I took one entire rainy day and stayed in and read and cried and became inspired. Then Oprah had Geneen on her show yesterday. This woman had me spot on. The women on their video journals could have been me.

Day after day, while I put on a smile and greet most with a positive me, I realized I  have been a fraud for most of my life. The voice inside my brain tells me daily that I am ugly, not good enough and certainly don’t deserve to be loved.  

I have tried more ways (reading every parenting book or marriage rescue guides to tons of self help)   to become a better me– it wasn’t until I read Geneen’s book did I realize that for the most part I have been trying to not face or feel my pain. I am the head Ostrich — putting my head in the sand thinking that if I don’t look at the pain it will go away. So goes my relationship with food.

Like spring and the flowers that follow many of us share the same belief… We want to become what we were born to be; to bloom and grow and inspire.

I have got to stop my daily mantras in my head — I have to face my pain.

Never before has my favorite quote been more profound than right now.

“When you change the way you look at things– the things you look at change.”

I intend to be that change!

Like the lyrics of Defying Gravity– I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.

If we think for one moment its about the food — we are wrong. (but then like one of the titles in her book says… Its Not not about the food)

Whether you have any issues with food, depression, alcohol, drugs; this book hits right at the core. It all stems from how we view ourselves and whether we think we deserve love and kindness.

Have you read her book? I would love to hear your feelings.

Join with me as I work on my pain and find the love, kindness and beauty we all deserve.

By the Way here are her food guidelines.

Eat when you are hungry.

Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.

Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.

Eat what your body wants.

Eat until you are satisfied.

Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.

Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

 Join in with us on Friday~~ Finding Beauty  (Please be sure to link this post to yours — other wise I will have to pull it– I would hate to do that!

On Monday join Mary at Little Red House — every one participating there is sooo good. Check them out!

We have a new link operator — it will be really fun an colorful– let me know what you think of it!

Please be sure and comment after you link!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

May 13, 2010 at 6:04 pm | Fridays Finding Beauty, spring | 30 comments

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