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Saturday, October 31, 2009

halloween 2009

Halloween this year was celebrated at Roddie and Kd's
Frank, Kd's dad was there dressed up as, well, Frank, of course...
Kathy was there dressed as Kathy...
Mandy and Brooke, Brooke is dressed up as a whoopie cushion,
well at least that is what he told us he was,
yet he never seemed to get the costume on.
Jacques and Bet aka. Beth was there
someone made the mistake of calling Jacques and "enjun"
and he reminded him that he was a
native American!
My children,
Dog the bounty hunter was at this party
and again, his hot wife...
Chase and Jesi pirates with painted toenails
Kaylee was a "Robin in the hood"
Kris rode his ostrich, Charlie all night...
... and me?
I went as Denim Ron aka. my hubby
of course!!
Had a blast thanks to the
younger generation Riera's
thank You, guys!!!!!!

Friday, October 30, 2009

R AND M KIDS, FOCUSING ON THE BABY...

Mikie and Rebecca bought a new camera lately.
How can you not have the best camera when you have
beautiful children such as these.
Mikie often sends me emails filled with pictures
because he knows how much I love pictures and children.
In his emails there are always these little captions
to follow them but what cracks me up each time...
Is that there are always a few beautiful ones of their
baby girl, Ellen...
and many of the rest of the children
looking like a Norman Rockwell painting,
all looking at the camera,
beautiful children showing their true selves,
Own is usually smiling in his which is one of those
rare occasions that you can't help smiling along with...
There are those of Lucy always looking beautiful
they can't talk, so only part of her beauty can
show, you can't see her funny sarcasm that
makes us all love her the more...
but my favorite part, my very favorite part,
is amongst all these beautiful pictures
are the ones of Little Ellen showing
her in her true persona,
reminding me of the reason
why constantly she must be watched,
and if she is quiet, well you better go check,
enjoy these of Ellie-Pie...



The last one had the funniest caption and I can't
remember it perfectly from Mikie's words
but it was something like:
WHAT CAN I SAY, MY GIRL LIKES CHOCOLATE
AND BATMAN IN THE BACKGROUND WAS
JUST HAPPY IT WASN'T HIM GETTING IN TROUBLE!
Have a great Friday!!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

daughter to father

There is this young couple who lives near my home.
I don't know their names but I remember when two years ago
they had a precious baby girl.
Each morning when I walk I pass in front of their home
at about 6:30 am.
On these mornings there is a ritual that takes place.
Daddy carries his little girl to the car and straps her in her car seat.
He lingers in the back seat kissing her as mommy waits patiently
in the drivers seat. Each morning he finally closes the door
that now separates him from his baby and he kisses
her mommy good-bye through the rolled down window.
He waves as they pull out and then goes inside to dress himself.
Every morning their day begins this way.
This makes me happy and I think what an influence that single
ritual will make in that little girls life.
That she, every morning, is the most important thing
in her daddy's life.

Last week I followed a bus to school.
I quite enjoy watching parents put their children on the bus.
This particular morning a daddy waits
outside his old, run-down house with his probably 4 year old daughter.
His hair is long and greasy, held back by a bandanna.
He has tattoo's, is in shorts and barefoot.
He patiently waits for the bus to stop while holding
his little girl's hand.
Then, instead of sending her to the bus, he
walks with her in front of the bus, holds her hand
as she climbs the bus steps,
he slowly, once again crosses the street where I
believe he will continue walking down his driveway.
Yet he stops, and this untypical dad
begins to wave, he stays there and waves
long past the time his little girl can see him.
Again I am touched by this show of
affection by a nontraditional daddy.
I am not a fan of Linsday Lohan, but this morning
I hear her singing this song and I wonder if her haunting
words to her father are the reasons why she is so troubled:
CONFESSIONS OF A BROKEN HEART
I WANT FOR THE POSTMAN TO BRING ME A LETTER
I WAIT FOR THE GOOD LORD TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER
& I CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD ON MY SHOULDERS
A FAMILY CRISIS THAT ONLY GROWS OLDER
SO WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO
DAUGHTER TO FATHER...
I AM BROKEN BUT I AM HOPING
I AM CRYING A PART OF ME IS DYING...
CONFESSIONS OF A BROKEN HEART
& I WEAR ALL YOUR OLD CLOTHES, YOUR POLO SWEATER
I DREAM OF ANOTHER YOU
THE ONE WHO WOULD NEVER LEAVE ME ALONE
TO PICK UP THE PIECES
A DADDY TO HOLD ME, THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED
SO WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO
DAUGHTER TO FATHER...
I DON'T KNOW YOU, BUT STILL I WANT TO
TELL ME THE TRUTH, DID YOU EVER LOVE ME
CAUSE THESE ARE THE CONFESSIONS OF A BROKEN HEART
I LOVE YOU...
Daddies do mean this much to their little girls.
When I was young, mom worked so when I was sick it was
daddy who took care of me,
buying me color books, cooking my favorite meals.
he made me stay in bed, brought me whatever I wanted
there. I was his baby and I felt safe.
Now at 46, when I am sick it is still him I long for.
So I challenge all you daddies out their with daughters:
If they are big girls, call them or write to them and
tell them today that you love them and what they
mean to you.
If they are little girls, pull them each individually
in your lap today and tell them how important
they are to you, that you would not be who you are
today without them.
If you get the chance to put them on a bus,
wave until you can't see the bus.
Put them love letters in their school bags.
Give them the words that Lindsay has longed to hear
" I love you"

update on the taunt mone

Taunt Mone (aka Simone, my oldest sister)
got through her knee surgery like she always has,
like a pro, no complaining,
says the leg is numb.
I was there last night when the doctor came to say
enjoy the numbness, sleep good tonight
because physical therapy and pain starts tomorrow.
So lets all offer up a few prayers for the Taunt
that she continues to be a trooper,
that her pain is controlled with the medication,
that her diabetes stays within normal limits,
and she is home and recuperating soon.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Just because I am not there...

Just because I wasn't at Lucy's birthday party Sunday
doesn't mean I don't have my people taking pictures for me:
Thanks to Mikie, I received this beauty of
my godchild, Tedi.
When in the world did she get so grown-up,
it's like she turned 13 and automatically fell
into the teenager mode!
Now this, this is a gem!
Like look at Tiffany's face!!!!
Jesi's dimples can hold about a gallon of water
here.
Sorry I missed the party but sure Mikie
will send me more ammunition.

Monday, October 26, 2009

MONDAY, MONDAY, LA-LA-LA-LA-LA...

After a wonderfully quiet weekend,
where I was able to go to my favorite scrap store,
and be taught by one of my favorite girls,
Ashley
to make this cute altered canvas of me
as a baby,
today is Monday.
Back to work, routine day...
then I come across this awesome writing
this morning:
"NORMAL DAY,
LET ME BE AWARE OF THE TREASURE YOU ARE.
LET ME LEARN FROM YOU, LOVE YOU,
BLESS YOU BEFORE YOU DEPART.
LET ME NOT PASS YOU BY IN QUEST
OF SOME RARE AND PERFECT TOMORROW.
LET ME HOLD YOU WHILE I MAY,
FOR IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE SO.
ONE DAY I SHALL DIG MY NAILS INTO THE EARTH,
OR BURY MY FACE IN THE PILLOW,
OR STRETCH MYSELF TAUT,
OR RAISE MY HAND IN THE SKY AND WANT,
MORE THAN ALL THE WORLD,
YOUR RETURN."
mary jean iron
So enjoy your "normal" Monday
knowing that for many it is more than just that
as they battle evils in the world.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Dog the bounty hunter and his hot wife!

Kudo's to kd for making up these awesome costumes
for she and Roddie.
They had a rehearsal supper/costume party
to go to
and this is the final result.
Isn't this just completely hysterical!!!!!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

9 BLOCKS...

9 BLOCKS:
That is how far Somer Thompson had to walk
to get safely home.
Yet, now she is dead, her 7 year old body
found in a land fill.
She left her school on a typical afternoon,
walking with her twin brother, older sister,
and many neighbors,
same thing she did every day,
yet on this day she became angry with one in the group
and walked ahead of the others
never to be seen alive again.
Some crazy demon person took this child
and killed her and today
I just can't understand why our children
can't feel safe in their own environment.
How can a parent these day not be overprotective?
I can remember when my two were little
I would begin to panic inside if I didn't know
where they were for a little while.
My thoughts would always go to how
far some crazy person could get them
before I would even know they were missing.
Now this Mother must question herself constantly
wondering if she should have done things differently.
A prisoner in her own quilt
and even this makes me angry
because this mother did nothing wrong
and yet she will live the rest of her life
in pure misery, regretting anything she ever did.
Pray for all our children in this world,
protect their innocence.
don't let them even cross the street without watching them
and calling to make sure they made it where
they were going.
When they get older, call and confirm any plans
they make,
if it isn't consistent, make them stay home.
Yes, they will be mad for a time
but they will be alive, safe in the loving comfort
of the family who should never have to suffer
as so many parents have to do
because of the decision some crazy
demon person makes to ruin
other people's lives
and take our children, our future
away from us!
Oooh, can you tell just how angry this makes me!!!!!!!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

FIRST ANNUAL RIERA PUMPKIN CARVING NIGHT

I sometimes live two lives,
one in my mind and one in reality.
Last night was made up in my mind.
Always trying to be the ultimate optimist,
I decided that since Rod and Kd were coming sleep,
this would be an awesome time for a Riera craft project.
Since we have always loved Halloween,
I begin yesterday texting the gang.
HEY WHAT ABOUT PUMPKIN CARVING NIGHT
Well Kd and Jesi right away text back...
They are fired up.
I call Roddie and he at first says " he aint' carving no pumpkin"
I encourage him to live a little, he asks if Chase
(aka Bruda) is coming,
well I go out on a limb and say:
(Well of course, Chase is all into it)
However I had not yet heard from Chase
but I knew just like usual,
if Chase does anything then Roddie will do it.
So Jesi and I go to Walmart in the rain,
buy pumpkins and decorating tools,
we buy Pizza and Halloween cookies
we go home cook the food,
Chase show up and we wait...
and wait... and wait...
Part of my fantasy forgot that Kd works until 6:45,
then she has to go home then lives an hour away from us now...
So they arrive at about 8:30
and Kd looks exhausted and Roddie is already saying
he "ain't" carving if he has to clean his pumpkin...
Ronnie is laying on the sofa and refuses to even do anything,
So me, wanting the event to go well,
I begin cleaning baby boys pumpkin guts
while he and his Dad watch a DVD of Rod's work platform.
Kd confesses that she has never carved a pumpkin,
and didn't realize she would have to stick her hand
in the innards of a dirty pumpkin...
Chase is nice and quiet working diligently
but then confesses that he felt too guilty after I bought
the pumpkins to say he really wasn't into carving pumpkins...
I finish cleaning Rod's pumpkin and in a matter of 10 minutes,
he has his free-hand carved,
says he's done lights his pumpkin before anyone can
say BOO,
he is proud of himself but tells me
I am going to ruin the event if I don't stop taking pictures...
I share that in my mind I thought this night would be way
different, Rod reminds me that all these events I plan
land up the same way...
However in my heart, I am happy anyway,
because really everyone is enjoying themselves
and we are together....
Finally we all complete our pumpkins,
Roddie actually doing two
since Ronnie refused to participate....
Kd finally got hers the way she wanted it,
wasn't happy with Rod especially when he said
that for a kindergartner hers wasn't half bad...
She swore that she was going to practice and by
next year hers was going to be the best!
I finally got to carve my own pumpkin after cleaning
pumpkin guts for baby boy!
Jesi did a free-hand Harry Potter pumpkin,
never complained at all
because in some ways she is like me
total optimist for my Riera get-togethers...
Chase followed a pattern and his came out especially good,
he came up with the idea to make his into his head
for his picture...
And Roddie always having to follow suit with Bruda,
had to do his own picture like that
(so much for me ruining the moment with pictures, huh Rod)
Although Ronnie wouldn't carve he still had to be part of
the celebration...
By dressing in my clothes of course,
anything to get the kids laughing,
that's my husband...
in my dress.....
Oh what a Riera Party!!!!
Thanks everybody for making my night!!!!!
Really I loved it!!!!!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

HALLOWEEN IS COMING

Thanks Owen for being a good sport!
Did this on my computer hopefully it won't scare
you guys too much!
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays
going back to the old days of my own
trick or treating
then when my kids were young,
oh, did we have fun!
Then there was the Tarpon Heights days
when we all got together,
Aunt Lil made a chili and everyone
brought a bag of candy.
So this year,
Roddie and Katie are planning
a Halloween bash at their
Plaquemine home and hoping
that all of you guys can make it
since Halloween is on a Saturday.
Katie says YOU MUST DRESS UP
if you come, unless you are her daddy
and your name is Frank....
Hope to see all of you there!