Love remains

"The love we give and receive is all that matters and all that is remembered. Suffering disappears; love remains." ~ Bobbie Probstein

Flashback Friday-Where does the time go?

Do you remember when you were younger and time moved by ever so slowly? Whether it was waiting for Christmas to arrive or counting the days down until the end of the school year, the days just seemed to drag on by. Then, once the day (or summer) arrived, it sped by with the speed of light! How unfair was that to a kid?

Now, as an adult, it seems even worse. I could seriously end up with a case of whiplash if I dared to catch sight of our life as it whizzes by. It doesn't matter if it is a good or bad thing; there are some days when I wake up and wonder where the time has gone.

I will never forget the date of February 20th. Originally, it was the anniversary of the first wedding I was asked to be a part of. What a happy time for our friends, and an exciting one for me; a bridesmaid for the first time.

A few years later, it was the day when we lost my sister, Renee. After that, it sort of changed the meaning of that day.

Every year, I try to remind myself to not dwell on a day. How stupid is that? We don't just miss her one day of the year; we miss her every single one of them. I've said that to myself (and maybe even to you!) so many times that I must sound like a broken record.

Mom and I were talking about it this morning, and she's feeling the same way. Thank goodness I am not the only one! Maybe it's that whole milestone thing? Tomorrow, it will be 15 years. How can that be? Wasn't it just yesterday that I put my arms around her and gave her a hug as she walked out of our house?

Just last week, I was reflecting on the fact that I have baked 20 birthday cakes for Mark. I guess it would make sense then that it seems like yesterday that she took my arm, escorted me down the aisle, and cried tears of happiness right along with me as I took Mark's hand.

And it feels like yesterday that she came through our receiving line, reached out to hold my face, and made us both cry again when she told me how beautiful I was and how much she loved me.

Is this what happens when time goes by and we grow older? Will I still do this 15 years down the road from now? Maybe it's her own way of making sure that she's never forgotten.

As if that could ever happen. I know we aren't the only ones who miss her.

Today, instead of dwelling on the day, I choose to think of all of the people whose lives she touched. She was so loved, and she loved us all in return. In my heart, I believe that was her gift to us all.

T...E...Double R...I...F...I...C Thursday!

Since Leigh liked my Wacky Wednesday idea, I think I'm going to run with the theme days for awhile.

A few weeks ago, I was compelled to write about our friend, Ready Freddie Fiddlesticks. I posted his story on Flashback Friday, but even then, it didn't feel like the perfect place for it. Yes, the photos were a flashback to the many times we have visited him at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but my heart felt like there had to be a better way to showcase the people and things we love so much.

So today, let me introduce Terrific Thursday! For the time being, Thursday will be the day we share all kinds of things we think are pretty darn terrific!

First up, meet the McCann Clan.

Well, that would be the McCann Clan plus Mark and Renee, but most of you probably knew that already!

They may be Red Sox fans, which makes Mr. Yankees' skin crawl, but they are good people, and wonderful friends. Plus, they love Disney World as much as we do. How amazing is that?

Renee calls their eldest son her 'Betrothed'; I think that makes Mark nervous. Not only is he not ready for his little girl to grow up and even use a word like betrothed, but a merger like that could only mean one thing--a future Sox fan in the family!

Their youngest son shares Renee's hyped-up energy level. The two of them+music=watch out, world!

The three of them together, though, is just a joy to watch. Renee fits right in like the last piece to complete their own special, little puzzle.

That combination often makes for happy kids...

times three!

Whether it be spending time together at Disney or Skyping across the miles on Friday nights, our dear friends from the cold, snowy north always know how to make us smile. Especially when they brighten our day with lovely surprises.

Aren't they gorgeous? Renee loves roses, I love alstromeria, and Grammy loves both! How did they know?

McCann Clan, you are not only Valentinetastic, but you're the epitome of T...E...Double R...I...F...I...C!

We are so happy you came into our lives, and even more lucky to call you friends; even if you are Red Sox fans.

Wacky Wednesday

Since attempting to dedicate a little more of myself to our blog, I've been tossing around the idea of having theme days here. Although I wish I had a little more free time and could participate in Ruby Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday the way my friend Tink does, I just don't see it happening any time soon.

Then, I stopped over to visit Leigh, and I noticed that she came up with her own theme of the day-Mickey Monday. If a busy, losing her mind Mommy (just like me!) can manage to do it, so can I!

At least I think I can. For now, maybe I'll just wing it and see what happens?

So for today, at least, I introduce....Wacky Wednesday! It's Wednesday, and we're often wacky; isn't that convenient?

We love visiting the Fernbank Museum of Natural History here in Atlanta; especially when it is free for Mom and Dad due to Bank of America's Museums on Us!

What makes it even better is when they throw a Pirate Party on the same day! Sadly, it wasn't as exciting as we thought it would be, but Renee did have the chance to dress up in her fabulous pirate costume again.

Oh, and we all were all given wacky, pirate names! Fun, right? First up...meet 'One-Eyed Eight Fingers'.

Next, we have 'Long John Murphy'.

Last but not least, we have 'Admiral Sam'.

'Admiral Sam'. Really? They couldn't have come up with anything better than that? lol

In hiding...

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Mark wears his Birthday hat

Made of Red Sox wrapping paper! Lol

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Mark gets a Yankees shirt

For his birthday!

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Pretty to look at!

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White stuff!

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Things that make you laugh until your side hurts

In the past week or so, I have come to realize that I miss having the time to invest in our blog. I don't think that we have a ton of followers; it's more for us than anything else, and that's okay.

Although mobile blogging is easy for us and fun for our friends who might be following our adventures from the comfort of their own homes, the best part of blogging is when I have time to sit down and create a post. Going through the photos stored in my computer will always bring a smile to my face. Then, there are the days when I look at a photo and just can't stop laughing! This is a perfect example...

"Yo! I'm Cannoli. I really do like being pushed around in this stroller, but I'm not too sure about this sweater. The hood, the fur on the collar, the shade of purple...do you think it is a good look for me?"

See what I mean? ;)

Today, I am dreaming of sunny, summer afternoons

Blah.

We're having another one of those rainy, damp, dreary days in Georgia. I know I shouldn't complain with all of the snow everyone else seems to be having, but this weather is making me feel all kinds of Eeyore-ish.

Besides snuggling up in the cozy chair with my girlie for some quality reading time, what else can one do to feel better? Hmmmm....

Ooooh! I know! I'll pull out some photos from last summer. Maybe they will not only lift my spirits, but remind me about the importance of rainy days like this.

Reminder number one? It most surely helps these daylilies to grow!



Reminder number two? The beautiful dragonflies need it for survival.



Reminder number three? Roses. Need I say more?



And last, but not least, reminder number four. The butterflies. They love little puddles of water so much that we actually have a small saucer which we fill for them when the rain doesn't do it for us.

Sigh. I feel better already!

So if you are like me, miserable from the rain or tired of the snow, take a trip back into your photos from summers past. It just might make your day a little brighter!

Best part?

We are the only ones here!

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Help!

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Yay for us!

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Ice skating!

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White boy dancin

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Flashback Friday-Ready Freddie Fiddlesticks

It's been a very long time since I have done a Flashback Friday post. If you are interested, the last one was on June 19th, 2009, to be exact. Maybe I was busy living in the moment? Was I not able to flashback? Who knows?

Whatever the reason, there will be a Flashback Friday today! Aren't you excited? Ooooh, and it's coming to you straight from MGM Studios. I know, I know. It's now called Disney's Hollywood Studios, so sue me! How about if we just meet in the middle and call it Studios, okay?

Please let us introduce you to Ready Freddie Fiddlesticks! Although we have been meeting up with him on the streets of Hollywood for quite some time now, I seem to be seriously lacking in the amount of photos I have of him. Could it possibly be that I was living in the moment, making memories, and refused to pull my camera out? I'm sure that's what it is, because deep in the files stored in my brain, there are plenty of photos of him making us laugh!

Let's meet him, shall we? Dressed in his Christmas finery, this aspiring leading man always made quite an impression.

Although he was often #2 to Paige Turner's #1, his energy, determination, and ability to 'get off the box' often impressed the not easily impressionable director, the great Alberto Dante.

And when he was hanging with the ever animated talent agent, LeRoy Small, you never knew what kind of conversation you would walk into. Hysterical, for sure, but always a surprise!

Sigh...we will miss those impromptu meetings, his sweater vest, and of course, the way he always made our girlie smile.

I've talked before about how much we love to visit the Streetmosphere actors who grace the streets of Hollywood. And, like performers everywhere, their contracts are written, renewed, and sadly, sometimes not renewed every year. Although we are happy when we learn we will still be able see our favorite faces when we visit again, there will always be a part of us which silently mourns the loss of the Citizens who will be moving on. This year, along with a few others, Freddie is one of them.

When Renee was younger, it was so hard for her to understand why they weren't there any longer. But now, as she is getting older, she has come to realize that there may just be a silver lining in that cloud of sadness. These friends of ours who sweat it out in that relentless, hot Florida sun are more than just a Citizen of Hollywood, or a guy on the Hollywood Public Works truck. Behind those roles they are cast in, they are extremely talented performers who will surely move on to bigger and better things. For us, that's become a hidden blessing, especially when we have the opportunity to enjoy their talents in totally different venues. It opens up new windows in the world of a family who loves to laugh, smile, and sometimes even sing and dance along in our seats. Who knows what new and exciting things we will learn about and be exposed to now?

Thanks for the memories, Freddie. We will miss you, but with a heart as huge as yours, we know we'll be seeing your name in lights very soon. Keep moving forward, and have an amazing journey!