For the love of Art

She Gave Me Strength

There were times in my life where I would rather slam my door in her face than listen to what she had to say. I was 14 with a major attitude problem and her rules, well my little know-it-all-14-year-old-version of myself, thought they were barbaric and utterly ridiculous. She had no idea what I was going through, and she certainly didn't understand what it was like being a freshman in highschool! Ugh! Of course, now, I have seen the light, and I want to kick that 14 year old version of myself in the ass. At times, I wish I could take back the doors I slammed, the hurtful angry words, and the countless amounts I rolled my eyes in her direction. But, I know that I can't  and I know that it was all a part of "growing up."

The relationship between a mother and daughter, I must admit, is not always butterflies and roses. But it is one of the most important relationships in a woman's life. My mother on many levels, has been the single most important influence in my life. The lessons she has taught me will forever remain in my heart. Because of her, I will always remember to: get everything in writing, make copies of important documents, keep everything I write, to avoid crying, frowning, or worrying (it will only cause wrinkles), and to always be aware of my surroundings. As I write these things, I can't help but smile, because above all else, my mom has taught me strength. The other lessons, well those are the little things. Strength, on the other hand, is what has made me the woman I am today. It was in her own strength that I found my own. Throughout my life, I have been complimented on more than one occasion on my bravery, independence, and courage, and I have my mother to thank for all it.

Thank you Mom, for all that you have done and continue to do! Love you and Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Momma's out there!



The Day Before You

"Oh, but heaven knows those years without you

Were shaping my heart for that day that I found you

If your the reason for all that I have been through...

Then I am thankful for the day before you."

-Rascal Flatts: The Day Before You

Photogrpaher Uknown

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Let's celebrate with a Classic Margarita!

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces tequila made from 100 percent agave, preferably reposado or blanco
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Salt for garnish

Prep:

Combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Moisten rim of Margarita or other cocktail glass with lime juice or water. Holding glass upside down, dip rim into salt. Shake and strain drink into glass and serve. 

{Picture courtesy of National Geographic}

Excerpts & Confessions of an Unpublished Writer II

Startled, she gasped. "What are you doing here?" He smiled and yelled, "I was looking for you Carrie! What are you doing out here anyway?" She stared at her bare feet. "Vinny I just wanted to be left alone", she whispered. "I can't say I really blame you. Why do they have high school reunions anyway", he chuckled. She ignored his question and stared back out to the ocean. He would never understand she thought to herself. "Come on Carrie, lets go. Please tell me you aren't going to be in one of those melodramatic moods all evening." She sighed in annoyance. She hated that he called her melodramatic. Sensing her sudden irritability, he apologized. "Sorry Carrie. I just wanted my best friend down there with me. Here, let me get you a glass of wine. I took a bottle of wine from the table. I think it's that Pinot Gri-", he paused, "well it's the white wine you like so much." She had to smile. He had a way of always surprising her. He had always paid close attention to the little details; a forever believer in the simpler things in life.

Carrie watched as he stumbled into her hotel room, tripping over her shoes. Cheerfully, he walked back to the balcony oblivious of his rather intoxicated demeanor. As he handed her one of the glasses filled with wine, she couldn't help but stare into his eyes. Even tonight, half-drunk, his eyes were breathtaking. There were the eyes she had fallen in love with and her heart ached every time she caught him looking at her. She desperately wanted to take him in her arms and kiss him. I have to let go, she thought once more. As she looked back into his eyes, she noticed that he was mumbling something but she was consumed in her own thoughts. "Carrie!", he yelled breaking her train of thought. "What's wrong with you?" his eyes pleaded. He searched for an answer but her face remained lethargic. "Carrie!", he yelled once more. As he reached for her arm, her glass of wine slipped from her fingers smashing into hundreds of pieces amongst her bare feet. She moved slowly, like a prisoner awaiting his impending life sentence, and looked at the violent waves below. "What are you doing Carrie?" Her bloodshot eyes searched for him. Through tears she could see his handsome face which was illuminated by the pale moon light. Instinctively he quickly moved towards her. He was too late. He watched in horror as she plunged into the cascading waves below.

Photographer Uknown...

To a Unknown Soldier

 At this moment, I don't know what you are thinking of. I don't know if you are scared, happy, sad, or angry. I don't know where you are. I don't know what your next mission entails. I don't know if you are awaiting a newborn, a beautiful wife, a loving family, or a beloved pet. I do, however, know this-that you are undeniably and deeply appreciated. I do know that you are a soldier, someone who fights for my freedom, a brave representation of what our country fights for each and every day. I am writing this letter to thank you for the struggles you may face each day; the yearning for a lover, a smile from your son or daughter. Your continual strength resides not only on the brink of battle but in the distance that separates you from the familiar and I want to thank you.

If only...

I am in one of those "blah" kind of moods where I wish I had the superpower to fast forward my week. Sadly enough, I do not have much to complain about yet I find myself a little like Eeyore; sulking about, cursing the rainy day and anything that minutely goes wrong. It is days like these I wish the alarm clock never sang that obnoxious sound and I could bury myself deep within the covers and surrender myself to my dreams. Ah, if only...

Hopefully all my Happy Hour Readers are having a much better day than I! xo