Felicitaciones Elyse y Martin!

My dear friend Elyse and her handsome boyfriend Martin are officially engaged. I am so happy for them. They have an oh so romantic story...the last night of her summer vacation (2007) in a small town in Spain...eyes met...talking all night...staying in touch when she returned to California...visits...more love...Wow! Now they are engaged to be married a year later. Martin is currently going through the red tape to move out here to marry Elyse. Once he is here, they will marry within 3 months! I have no doubt that it will be a beautiful event. Congratulations Elyse and Martin! I am so happy for you guys.

Hippo Birdies Two Ewes HERMANA!

Happy Birthday Syl! Today is your special day and I hope it was WONDERFUL! I wish we could be together on your special day, however, we will make up for it when we are together again. I was with you in spirit, as always. Thanks for being a great big sis and such a support to me whenever I need it (okay, that is everyday lately). I know I can always count on you to give me hope and energy! I love you for that. What would we do without our cell phones? We have so many priceless memories together and today I thought of a few to make up for not being together. I also got to spend it with my priceless nephew, your son...one of our greatest achievements (like how I smashed myself into the formula? I know you forgive me...hehe). Here is a little list of some of the memories...

#1 I know you really are sorry for tearing my Scott Baio poster.

#2 I'm sorry I made you choke on a tortilla that one time - don't forget I was the one who beat you on the back to make you breathe!

#3 Remember when I cheered you up when you were in trouble and confined to your room? I stood in the driveway by your window and danced as you sang the "Lee-Lee-Lee" Song?

#4 Thanks for acting like you really thought I was as Nadia Comaneci. Do you remember me using that dorky Grand Canyon vinyl bag as my Olympic bag in the car and we acted like it was the Olympic van taking me to competition?

#5 Thanks for not killing Norma and I for taking your car for a "spin" when we were only supposed to pull it into the driveway.

#6 THANKS FOR TAKING ME TO THE JOURNEY CONCERT AT THE ROSE BOWL AND ALL OF THE OTHER CONCERTS LIKE AC/DC, QUEEN, VAN HALEN, AND EWF! Who cares if I was only 13 years old?

#7 Thanks for taking me dancing to Oscos and all the other clubs. Who cares if I was only 16??

#8 Thanks for all of the laughing fits.

#9 Thanks for being a great Tia to my girls and for loving them so much (that includes working to near death to help me pull of my "vision" for their birthday parties).

#10 Thanks for letting me monopolize Andrew.

#11 How would we have survived the deaths of mom and dad so suddenly without each other? I will always remember us at dad's service arm and arm as we led the way to his internment at the cemetary, knowing that our immediate family was now just the two of us.

#12 AND...I'm sorry I did not come to your defense when you bought that super jumbo ginormous styrofoam candy cane at Newberry's instead of a box of christmas decorations. Even though I knew it was a HUGE mistake, I should have defended you!

Happy Birthday Sis! I love you! You are in your prime! HAVE FUN!

Mamma Mia...

No, this is not a critique of the movie out right now. Although, I hear everyone loves it so I have to make time to see it. It is a post about my mother. Today is her birthday. She would have been 72...still young in my opinion and it is 10 years older than her lifespan...sniff. That is a picture of her on the left taken when she was just shy of 20 years old and wasn't she a MAMA MIA! I always think of her every second of the day on her birthday and I try to honor her and bring her to life for my children, who never got to meet her. This year I chose to drive into Los Angeles - the city that always makes me feel closer to both of my parents. I first called my sister and talked on the phone with her (my mom treasured her two sisters Delia and Patty beyond belief and LOVED talking on the phone with them laughing the whole time). It was definitely the way to start the day. Besides, she always said that she wanted us to be close (especially when we fought as children) because one day we would not have her and we needed each other. After I hung up the phone, I thought that it would have brought her joy to know that we delivered on her wish. I proceeded to spend the day with my children and nephew because she always enjoyed any time she spent with her own children (my sister and I) and her nieces and nephews. This means I spent the day with all three of her grandchildren - something I have no doubt she would have loved to do. I also laughed out loud today. Anyone who knew my mom can understand that. She had the loudest laugh, and for those who love her - it is the best laugh in the world and we miss it. Although my laugh cannot hold a candle next to hers, it felt great! To cap off the day, Andrew (her one grandchild she did know and loved more than anything in the world) and I decided that it would be fitting to honor her by buying and eating a fresh strawberry pie from Marie Callenders. It was her all time favorite! Tonight we will sit around and eat that pie and think of and feel my sweet and hilarious mother (maybe as I watch the telenovela that I am currently hooked on, thanks to her exposing me to them). And if my husband makes me a cup of coffee to go with it, well then it will be perfect.

P.S. And yes, I wore big earrings today.