19 years ago today...

...I gave birth to my firstborn daughter. 19 years?!! Some moments it really seems like we just brought her home from the hospital...other times it's hard to remember all the funny things she said and did as a little one. We really need to slow down and treasure every moment.

Happy Birthday, DD#1! We are proud of the young lady you are and continue to be. May God bless you all the days of your life!

What's 62 years old and contains neroli?

Give up? (And really, what IS neroli?) White Shoulders perfume!

WHITE SHOULDERS perfume by EVYAN was launched in 1945. This fine fragrance contains neroli, tuberose, gardenia and is accented with jasmine, orris and musk. WHITE SHOULDERS is recommended for formal use.

I can still recall the first time I was aware of this scent. I was perhaps 4 years old, with my head in my mother's lap at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas, playing with her gold charm bracelet, and listening to her sing "I come to the garden alone..." (of course, without the instruments LOL). She not only sounded like an angel, but her scent was haunting to me. It was sweet, but not like the old ladies who wear rose perfume. It was light, but noticeable. THIS was what moms should smell like.

I received my first bottle at 19 years old. To this day, it is my perfume of choice, though I have dabbled with Jessica McClintock, Paris by YSL, and the Liz Claiborne fragrances, but I always go back to White Shoulders. As I spritzed it on this morning (commitment to loveliness - perfume is lovely!), I thought of my mom and how so many years have passed since those days in the pew. She is still the best mom, leavingthe bar so high for motherhood that if only wearing "her" perfume counted for mommy points. I am blessed to still have my mother around, even if she is 1200 miles away. I shall have a lifetime of memories, but her angelic voice singing praises to God and the scent of White Shoulders will forever be among the best.

Blessings,
Cheryl

Have you ever seen the rain?

As I type this, I think of Rod Stewart's rendition of CCR's song of the same title.

Is it raining here? Not so much in the way you might first think...but yes, it is raining.

And it's raining hard.

Why is it that it seems you go about your days rain-free for so long, but then that little black raincloud bursts and shows no signs of going away. I attribute the rain to SATAN trying to destroy all the lovely sunshine we enjoyed. I refuse to allow him to take hold of my family. We belong to God Almighty!!

In the name of the Lord, I REBUKE YOU, SATAN!

Cruise - December 2 - 9, 2007

View looking down in the Centrum. Hmm - no wonder I feel dizzy. The ship, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, was decorated so beautifully for Christmas -garland and Christmas trees everywhere. While on board, Hanukkah began and there were menorahs lit up all around, in addition to Hanukkah services daily.

Now, keeping in mind that I lost 23 pounds prior to the cruise, I would really feel sorry for this poor horse, "Raton," had I NOT lost that much. LOL I'm convinced I'm not really as fat as I look here, or that my bra strap really isn't hanging out of my shirt. But who am I kiddin'? This is the story of my life. Seriously, this horse was like 9' tall and I was fairly close to petrified. Here it just looks like a fat lady riding a burro. Maybe my camera is broken? :o) Anyway, horseback riding on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas is amazing.

Seeing as how we left on my 43rd birthday (I mean 29th!), our cabin steward, Arturo, made me a birthday towel bunny on the first night. He says that usually they don't do animals on the first night. Maybe he was vying for a bigger tip? Arturo was absolutely the BEST! On our last night on the ship when I succumbed to seasickness (aye aye aye), he came in and visited, asking if he could do anything. I miss those twice-daily room cleaning and turn down service with chocolate mints on the pillow. Sigh. It was a good week. :o)

Does it get any better than THIS? Sunset from the ship - somewhere between Los Angeles and Cabo San Lucas.

Too much to write, but I highly recommend this cruise - the ship was very nice and the service was impeccable. The shows were pretty good, but since I have nothing to compare them to, I have no complaints. Besides, who can complain when waiters put your napkin in your lap each night, cut your steak, and remove your lobster tails...THEN bring you chocolate after that!

Blessings,

Cheryl