In Memory

After a long tough week, my beloved Grandma, Doris Evelyn (Murray) Dunn, passed from this plain of existence to the next at 6:55AM.
It was terribly tough seeing her in a state that was not her and I almost wished that I had not for I only wish to remember her as she was.  I am sure that I will never truly understand why those we love are taken from us.  However, I do know that they live on in spirit and that is comforting.
My Grandma was a truly loving person who saw many trials in her life but over came them with the grace only she could do. She lived through World War II raising four of her 5 children by herself while Paw Paw went to war. She saw one of her twins, Llowell and her second to youngest, Frank (Dink), pass before her as well as the love of her life, my Paw Paw. It is pleasing to know that she is now free to be with them again as that has been a pain she has silently carried.

My Grandma was also a very funny person, not intentionally of course, but some of the things she did made us laugh so hard. I was speaking with my cousins on FB two days ago and we were reminiscening about some of the things she did. Our favorite was her crazy Christmas gifts.
She always made sure all of us in the family had a gift no matter how old we were. However, as good as intentioned they may have been they were still a bit....crazy.
Case in point, when my daughter was in her young teens, my Grandma gave her a little kids fake lipstick and purse set. My daughter just played with it and Grandma was happy. Also, for some reason one year she was obsessed with...underwear. We ALL got underwear, some of us got them even HUGE!
There are so many memories of her that I cannot begin to blog about here. I suppose what I want to convey most is that she was/is loved. Her life with us made us whole and I will miss her most terribly.

I love you Grandma. Goodbye for now and thank you.
Peace...
M.

365/67 ; Mono Monday.......My Brothers; Shoes

Day 67-
A while back my Mother gave me two pair of baby shoes. I am not sure why she gave them to me except that maybe she knew I would take care of them.

The two pair belonged to my twin brothers.It is hard to look at them and think they were ever that little. After all, my brothers are going to be 42 and are both over 6 foot tall.Needless to say, they are not tiny men!

All in all, I treasure these shoes and hope you like how I photographed them for today's post.

Peace...Naila Moon

Both pair in sepia

The one with the bell in black and white

The other pair sans bell in sepia

Me and my twin brothers in 2009

Inspiration-Butterflies

Sometimes I get inspired by the simplest things. Tonight I have been inspired by a butterfly. Well, not an actual one but by The Butterfly Project. You can click on the link for more information.

This project speaks to me for a couple of reasons on the knowledge that of the 6 million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust, 1.5 million of them were children...CHILDREN!

The second reason is that the one thing that my Dad has known about his biological parents was that they were Jewish immigrants. He knows nothing much else about them.  I have always wondered if they came to the U.S. to flea persecution? Did their families perish along with so many others?  In essence, this is personal.

I have visited the Holocaust Museum of St. Louis and I met face to face with a survivor and heard her story. In fact, I worked for a survivor by the name of Barbara Grossberg.

This project puts focus on the children. These children who did not grow up and who did not get to play like other children. These children who were torn from the arms of the parents and never seen again. It pains me to think of the atrocity bestowed upon them. The least I can do (and you can too) is remember that the existed, remember that they were live human beings and make a butterfly.

Peace...Naila Moon

October blog challenge/Day 12

Day 12's blog challenge is a simple one because it is what music would you like played at your wedding or if you are  not married what would you like.

Well, as Tamirisc and I married Christmas Day in 2008 in a REALLY small and intimate wedding. We only had two pieces of music. 

Photo taken of us by my daughter, Natasha...one of the best days of my life.Christmas Day 2008

The one piece that says the most about us is Heart's "Anything is Possible".

Apart we are only individuals but together we are strong and can accomplish anything because anything is possible with us together.

Peace...Naila Moon

October blog challenge/Day 7

Here it is day 7 of the October blog challenge and I am asked what 5 things could you not possibly live without. My mind immediately goes in a certain direction but are people things? Assuming that people will be put in this category for today, here are my picks.

1. My husband Tamirisc. He is my rock, my confident and lover. At this point in my life I would be totally lost without him.

2. My children first and foremost. They are crazy, fun loving and most of the time make me laugh. After them would be my daughter-in-law, my grand-daughter, parents, siblings and extended family.  (I suppose I coudl have said family but I really needed to qualify.)

3.  I really could not do without my spiritual relationships. There has been times I probably would have died without that.

4.  My friends. Here is my close friend Jean but I have other close friends, Stephen, Trish, Storme, Debra, Kelly. Each of these friends has enriched my life in one way or the other.  There are others but just not as close. (I do want to include on line friends as well because they too have been inspiration or a source of encouragement.)

5. I do not know what I would do without the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe and the life giving stuff that I am privy to everyday.

I am blessed by so many people and things.

Peace...Naila Moon

10 Thoughts Tuesday...the late night edition

 

 

 

1. I missed my 10 thoughts last week due to being on vacation. Did you miss me? Yeah, I thought not. sigh...

2. In the last 3 weeks I have had two friends of my family die.

3. I guess it is my age but it is really tough to see old family friends and people I grew up with leave this life.  I know dying is apart of life but sometimes it really is hard to swallow.

4. For other things, an update on my aunt. She is finishing her chemo (finally) on August 11th. I am really glad to report that but still after all this time, she is scheduled to have a double mastectomy in the first part of September. It seems that it was a little nuts for her to have gone through all that and still have this end result. Please continue to keep her in prayer or thought.

5. Just so you know. I think, by the way, she is amazing. In all of this, she has not once complained...really, not once...and she has such a humor about her that it inspires me.  Here is a photo of her:

 

 

6. Speaking of people I admire, I will also mention my uncle. He has been amazing through this whole process for her and 100% supportive even when I know it scares him like crazy. Check out his shirt he wears to support her:

 

 

 If you can't read his shirt it says..."I wear pink for my wife"

 

7. Moving on...I am finally done with this summer's semester of college.  I am here to tell you right now, I do not plan to do that again. I may change my mind come next summer but right now, no way!  The classes were not so bad but the professors...well.....

 

8. I am kinda missing home again, the kids, the family, friends. I have not seen any of them since February. I hate feeling so seperated from them.

9. At different times in this last few months, different family or friends were supposed to come out this way but have had change of plans.

10. Well, I think it is raining now. It sounds so sweet. I do love the rain. There is something romantic about it. Kinda makes me want to snuggle up by a fire with my sweetie...that is, if I had a fireplace. 

side note: the hubby just came in and said it is not raining. sigh...I must be hearing things or wishful thinking.

Ok...well, that is all this brain has for this week. Take care.

Peace...Michelle

10 Thoughts Tuesday...the sleepy version (late too)

1. I am on vacation unofficially! I have a class tomorrow but after that, whoo hoo!

2, Tamirisc and I are going to Manitou for the weekend. It is the weekend before his birthday (on Monday) and that is where he wanted to go. I am in total agreement of course. Why wouldn't I? It is beautiful there. See?

3. The last time we were there snow was on the ground and it was cold. It will be nice to go up there this time in the Summer.
4. Did I mention Tamirisc is going to be 50 years old. Just sayin'.
5. As I mentioned before, I am almost done with classes for the Summer. I have  two full classes left and then final next Wed. I am going to be sooooooo glad to have that over with.
6. Of course then I start over in August. As I write, I have 14 hours on the books right now. I am thinking about adding another class. However, this class would be a fun one...tap dance!

7. I don't know, do you think it is crazy to take a tap dance class. I mean with all my back and leg problems?
8. Seriously, I need some advice here.
9. As I said in my title, I am sleepy. Really sleepy. It is beginning to rain here and that does not help. I wonder why it is we get sleepy when it is raining?
10. Tamirisc and I are considering going back to MO again for Christmas. Ok, so we aren't really considering it, we have decided! Now it is called getting funds to do just that. I almost would like to drive there BUT that is one long drive from Condo Lane and Tamirisc does not have his license yet.

Bonus thoughts:
1. Did she just say Tamirisc does not have his license? Yes, yes, I did!  He has never driven before. He had hoped to get his license before his birthday but that just has not happened. In part due to the fact we do not have a car. He was so proud (as I was) when he got his permit.
2. Unlike my home state of MO, here in Condo Lane, CO, you can keep your permit up until 3 years before renewing it. In MO I believe it is only 60 days.
3. None of my family is able to come out this way now. I hoped they would but now they cannot. sigh...I have not seen them since beginning of February. I miss them a lot.
4. Our grand-daughter will be almost 1 year old before we get to see her.

5. Isn't she cute?


Well enough for now...yawn...peace & love,
Naila Moon

10 Thoughts Tuesday...I'm back!!!!!! Well, sorta.

1. I decided to go back to doing 10 thoughts Tuesday. I guess I just missed doing it. You know it was kinda habit forming.
2. I am glad to see others still post 10 thoughts...nice very nice.
2. I am going to start cross posting these thoughts on Blogger. I have found a nice little nitch there.
3. Blogger feels like X-ply used to. I suppose I can never get away from X-ply though because I have some really fab friends here that I would surely miss.
4. It is pushing 100 degrees today and the hubby wants me to make him my famous...well it isn't that famous...chili.  I think he is a little nuts!
5. Did you ever wonder why they call it chili? It is not cold after all.
6. I went to school this Summer and I really should have taken it off. I am so freakin' tired!!!!
7. Fall semester is only like 3 weeks away. Oh my gosh!
8. The hubby is having his 50th birthday a week from next Monday. We are planning to go to Manitou next weekend for his b-day. It is where he wants to go and somehow we are going to make that happen!!
9. Has anyone seen Despicable Me yet? If you haven't by all means go!!  I also hear Karate Kid is really good. I have been told almost better than the original.
10. I have already contracted with the Minions to be my Minions in my bid to take over the world. I am only writing this so that my #1 Henchman remembers to have them polish my crown. *wink*

Bonus thoughts:
1. My kingdom is quite small right now and it is intolerable!
2. I wonder how many people have taken me seriously when I say I am taking over the world?
3. You have? Good! lol
4. btw-it is nice to be sorta back. How ya been?

Have a great week...peace.

Hello again

Have you noticed I have been MIA since my last post on June 3rd? No? Well, ok then...I actually thought not but I digress. Anyway, I had to step away from Multiply. It is not because I was angry with the world's problems or that I was angry at someone here. No, it was because I needed to step back and reevaluate good 'ole X-ply.
My reasons for initially being here were because I loved to blog, I loved meeting people and it was a home-y kind of place that was not like Facebook. In essence, it felt good to be here.
Then something happened. I am not sure when it happened but it just did. All of a sudden X-ply did not feel the same, people were not blogging, people were griping, and it just did not seem like a happy place. In fact if anything, it seemed sad.
So, I took off for awhile and played in FB and hung out there but still not that feel good place I want to be.  Then I discovered Blogger. I opened two blog sites there and you know what? It feels good but I cannot keep the nagging feeling I am missing something still.
Guess what it is? Yep, my "family" here at Multiply.  I just can't go completely away but I simply will not be here every day.
Much love and peace....
Michelle
----------------------------------------PS> If you want to follow me (and Mark) on Blogger go here: http://onegreatbigmashuganaworld.blogspot.com/

Chalk Festival

This is photos that I took at the annual Chalk Festival downtown. They close off a street called Larimer and the artist do their work right on the street. Remember these are all hand drawn. This was just a few of the hundreds that were done.
This was the first time Mark & I went to the festival.

Image & Words-Potluck week 55

I have been noticeably absent lately because of being in college. I am right now on a week long break before I begin again. I think the photo I took below in 2009 says it all.
Happy week everyone!
~Michelle

Just a strange thought on a rainy evening

If you wish upon a star and put it in your pocket to save for a rainy day, don't you have a good chance of burning a hole in your pocket?

I never know what or who I will see on campus

These photos are random things and people I have seen on campus.

Generally speaking

You know generally I attempt to have pretty positive blogs here in X-ply. I personally think we have enough negativity in the world. However, this particular blog will be about something that has really perturbed me in the last two days. (You may stop reading here if you wish, I will not be upset if you do. Other wise please stay a few minutes.)
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It bugs me enough that women are often seen as sex objects in commercials and TV shows. It is enough that are young women think they have to dress sexy to get a man. It is enough that we are constantly bombarded with weight loss programs to be oh so thin to be sexy.

Well, now I have really had it, I am fed up!

I am not the biggest fan of the Miss USA Pageant (I am not saying I haven't watched it-just not a fan) but I have to say I think what is going on with it this year borderlines on soft porn. This year in D. Trumps infinite wisdom, decided to have the women pose scantly clothed in promo shots. It has drawn a lot of flack and with good reason. If you wish to view the whole story and the rolling photos go here----> http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/miss-usa.htm
Tell me, why is this necessary. Contrary to popular promotion, the whole pageant is based on beauty to begin with. All this new photography drives home is that these already beautiful young women are nothing more than sex objects for young (and old) men.

Ok, now on to point #2.
I viewed a post from my cousin about 6 & 7 yr old girls who were in a dance contest. Seems innocent enough, right? Wrong! Go here--------> http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978235336

I was absolutely appalled by this. Again, we are teaching our VERY young girls that it is ok to dress way too sexy and shake their booty sexy in an attempt to get a man. Why? Personally I think the parents and the dance teacher of these girls should be horse whipped.

Please understand, I am not a prude and certainly feel everyone has a right to dress they way they want. If you want to dress sexy that is fine but think about the messages you are sending.
I think that women need to understand that we are beautiful just they way we are and that men need to see that of us. We do not need to wear pounds of makeup, dress provocatively and shake our booty like there is no tomorrow just to get them. For dang sure no 7 year old needs to be dressed that way! We should be seen as beautiful in other ways. Like our personality, our heart, our soul.
Sometimes I feel just as sexy when I have a great pair of jeans on and my husbands favorite shirt he likes me to wear.

So having said all that...do you want to weigh in on this subject?
~Michelle

As Promised to the Pink Duck-Shake your tail feathers!

Picture Perfect-What Am I? Part 2-The reveal

As some people have already guessed. This is a photo of my Maternal Grandma in her red hat that I gave her for her birthday a few years ago.
Get it? "We are Very related."

Picture Perfect-What Am I?

This week we have a challenge to post part of a photo and to let others guess what it is.
Here is my photo and my hint. Good luck!
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I am over 50 this is quite true.
We are very related and happy about it too.
If you see us laughing do not pass us by
because we might actually offer you a piece of our pie.
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When was it ok to...or sigh...

This mind wants to know. When did it become ok to cuss someone out because you  did not give them something they asked for?
Case in point. My husband and I were sitting waiting for the bus an evening or two ago. A man came up to us and asked us if we had two pennies. (I am not sure why he wanted two pennies but I digress). Anyway, we actually did not have it and the man yelled at us..."F*** you all" and stormed off. 

I have to say, I was pissed. This man was asking us for something we did not have AND then cussed us out because we didn't give it to him. What??

I have to say too, it is not so unusual for someone to come up to bus riders (or for that matter just walking) on a daily bases. There are a lot of street people in this city and they ask you for stuff all the time.  However, usually they will just thank you and be on their way. But not this guy!

It is not enough that I am broke and cannot feed the world or give every Joe Blow that comes my way money to feed himself/ herself (or their addiction). It is not enough that I feel compassion for these people, even if they landed themselves there on purpose (there are those kind you know). No, it is not enough but I must endure this on a daily basis..me one been accused of having a bleeding heart...and then to get cussed at when I can't!

Seriously, when did it become ok? sigh....

A thought on passion

I was thinking today a lot about passion. No I do not mean the sexual kind, although I suppose that could be included. No, I mean those things we live for.

Do you know Jim Henson of the Muppet and Sesame Street passed away 20 years ago, May 16, 1990? Now that was a passionate man! At his funeral they had butterflies and Muppet's and played "When the Saint's Go March In". He lived his life full of passion to make children happy. Think about those adults and himself he made happy too. Ah, passion!

I have read a few blogs around town recently. I have found people to be passionate about writing, photography, church,model building,cooking, family and so many other things. You name it, there is probably a passion behind it.

I too am passionate about things, people and places. However, it is more than that. I think we should strive to be passionate about all the things we do.

Sometimes things seem so mundane. We have to write a paper we hate or we have a job we hate or---->you name it here. But what if we put just a little bit of passion in to it? What if we looked at that something we hated with a little ounce of passion? Don't you think it might be better? I don't know really...just maybe.

I think being a passionate person is celebrating life. Celebrating the things that make us happy but maybe those things that don't too.  What are you passionate about? Let's celebrate life and be passionate together.

Peace and love,
Michelle

Where the heck is the Pink Duck and friends? I wanna dance!