Hello, hello again. Shaboom, shaboom.

I miss writing.  I was re-reading a few older posts from “All the Sweetest Winds” and it hit me just how much I miss it.  I suppose it’s normal to go through waves.  I started to feel like my writing was a bit forced… hell, I wrote a blog post about glitter pinecones.  Spell-check is trying to tell me that pinecone isn’t one word… since when?  I can’t promise that I won’t write about nonsensical, insignificant things once in a while, but I also want to get back to writing about stuff that matters.  Stories about my residents.  Moments that made me laugh so hard I cried.  Events that broke my heart.  And so on.  Perhaps I’ve been a tad more emotional these past six months because I had grown accustomed to processing significant life events through my writing.  Or maybe I’m just emotional.  I’ll let my family be the judge of that.  Well, maybe not, since they still look back fondly on the days of standing at my bedroom door as I sat looking in the mirror and crying while furiously writing in my Lisa Frank diary and talking out my problems.  If nothing else, at least I can claim to be a multi-tasker.  And a 5th grade drama queen.

On a side note, I have a new role model.  She is in her nineties, wears a big fake flower in her hair every single day, looks for her “missing teeth” on a weekly basis, and busts a move whenever she gets the chance.  We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with green “beer” (O’Douls) and Irish tunes last week, and it’s characteristic of her to believe that she is consuming actual alcohol during our occasional happy hours.  Before we knew it, she had downed 2 green “beers” and was throwing her head back while shouting, “I just want to DANCE!”

Me too, friend, me too.

When the Dog Bites

This week started off a tad bit rocky.  Yesterday, a friend at work told me that I looked stressed.  I reminded him that it was December, and that I am an Activities Director.  Seriously, it looks like Santa threw up in my office.  It’s covered in glitter, garland, candy, plastic crates, and all kinds of Christmas paraphernalia.  I was trying to manage decorating the building, putting up trees, writing a newsletter, scheduling performers for our holiday party, and facilitating group activities, all while trying not to daydream about running away to a deserted island with a good book, a margarita, and no responsibilities.  It’s easy to get lost in the busyness of the season instead of the excitement of it.  I have always favored this season.  I love love love Christmas.  With the addition of trees, garland, and lights to the rehab center, so much life and color comes along with it.  It makes people feel more at home.

I let myself slow down a little today, making a conscious effort to not let myself get overwhelmed.  It came easy when I heard my residents’ reactions  following the lighting of the Christmas tree that they had adorned with ornaments they made with their own hands.  In that moment, everything was okay.  For them, it was as if they forgot they were living in a health care center.  Instead, they were admiring a beautiful tree surrounded by friends and peers, that maybe in those five minutes, felt more like family.  And for me, I was oblivious to my stresses.  I remembered that the tiresome days were worth it, even if just for those five minutes of pure joy.

On top of that, the resident Christmas tree sure as heck beats out my tree at home.  See below.  Squint… you might miss it.

Happy Thanksgiving from Lauerland!

You’ve gotta admit… this is pretty funny.

In all seriousness, we hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving and enjoy spending some quality time with family, friends, and loved ones.

Gobble gobble!

YAMS.

Since I’ll be going back home for a nice long trip in December, I’ll be staying in Austin for Thanksgiving. While I won’t be celebrating with all of my family this year (sad), I’ve still got my second favorite part of the holiday to look forward to…

Yams. Can’t Get Enough

What’s your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?

Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Bruce’s canned yams. But Bruce, if you’re out there… call me. Let’s talk yam$.

Firassic Park

Happy Birthday to my sweet fiance, Firas!

I hope your day is filled with firawesome surprises!

Dad no.

This makes me laugh so hard.

Happy Birthday Charlie!

Happy 1st Birthday Charlie!

Soon after you were born, your dad and I made a little motto for you-
and us. Be good, be brave, be funny. Be a GOOD person- get in trouble
and get dirty- but be kind. Be adventurous and BRAVE. It often takes
bravery to be a good person and do the right thing. Be FUNNY because
the world is a crazy place and everyone needs a good laugh.

You turned 1 today and you are already all of these things and more.

We love you so much and look forward to watching our good, brave,
funny boy grow. Try to slow it down a little though- this year went
way too fast!

Readers: I recently started following an insanely great blog called Momastery and in August she wrote (much more eloquently) our exact feelings.

 

 

 

 

Crane Me Up, Scotty

Not many people think, “Man. I wish my Nana was here to see this,” when the picture below is the first thing they see out their window in the morning:

But I do. Because my Nana loves cranes. And I’m pretty certain that we will always think of Nana when we see a crane. Especially a ginormous red and yellow one only 20 feet away from our window.

This one’s for you, Nana!

Happy Birthday Papa John!

To the man who has persevered through 25 YEARS  of a 4:1 woman to man ratio in the Lauer household, we wish you a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Thank you for always being patient, courageous, understanding, loving, and supportive.  We could never thank you enough for all that you’ve given us, but we thought we would try by offering you three son-in-laws and a grandson.  It looks like the women will finally be outnumbered!

 We love you so much, Dad!