I'm Writing Again

...on Rock, Water and Light. Scott is doing some amazing new photographs. Come visit us. Leave your "two cents."

I am also writing on my private Yahoo blog. More details on life and thoughts, and the blow-by-blow of my search to have a baby. [I will send you an invite you if you want to read along. Will need your email address.]

~Ally

Gratitude

...for being given a sweet award by someone I respect and admire - Donna at DQ's Windmill. Donna is a Yoga teacher, philosophy teacher, and Zen practitioner who is wise beyond her years and yet down to earth. What a joy to get an award from such a great person!


I will pass this award on to:

Michele at The Squawkery, a mom who is working on conceiving her second baby. With truthfulness and courage to ask all the tough questions, she has written a blog in which I love to get lost.

Tascha at Time With Tascha, an artist who posts the most delightful videos of making art, painting, and following the paths of her endless creativity.

Denise from Eat, Play, Love, who always has something interesting to say about family, life, or modern culture, and who has also bravely started vlogging.

Kelly from Kelly Johnson Photography, who has recently come back into my life (we used to be Chicago neighbors!) and inspired me with her keen sense of kindness and the way she captures humanity on film. Check out Kelly Johnson Photography on Facebook too.

And if she hadn't already received the award herself, I would definitely give it to Donna. She invigorates my life with her honest writing and spiritual clarity.

Good company. Get to know them too!

~Ally

On a dusty road to Mexico

We're getting ready for Mom to go to Mexico on Thursday, to visit with Lauren and Co. for a month. I don't want her to go, though I know Lauren needs her and the time will be good for them. I guess what I mean is, I don't want to be away from Mom for that long. I need her so much right now and feel more attached to her than ever. Thursday will be the anniversary of Dad's death - I guess an appropriate day for Mom to see both daughters in one day. The loss of Dad snuck up on me like a ton of bricks yesterday as I was driving to a friend's baby shower in Mass. Thinking about the lack of Dad when/if I get pregnant and how much I wish he were still here, how much we all still had to talk about and do together. And no, this is not a case of, "If only I had said" or opportunities lost. This is a case of "It sucks that I have to live the rest of my life without my father." And I miss him terribly.

Wonder when the grief will let go of its death grip (pun intended). It still affects everything. My son-in-law is struggling right now and I want to say to him,"It's the fucking grief!" He lost his brother a few months ago. The grief takes hold forever, it seems, but eventually, things do get a little easier, a little more normal.

This is going to be a hard week. Scott and I seem to be living like ships passing in the night - emotionally anyway. Sometimes we looked at each other this past week with the look of, "Who the heck are you and what are you doing in my living room?" Marriage, another long and dusty road. If one partner doesn't feel well, no one does. I wish things didn't feel like work so much for us right now. Nothing coming easily.

That's not true. I did make a spontaneous friend and pint-sized friend at the baby shower - a delightful Chinese woman and her daughter (who latched onto me like I was Aunty Ally). I feel in love with the both of them. They are heading back to China to live soon though and I probably will never see them again. Still, I am grateful for that beautiful feeling when you meet someone and like them instantly, knowing you could be friends. Rare and wonderful.

How are you, reader? What's new?

~Ally
p.s. Lauren, I wish Scott and I could come to Mexico too! That would be the best of all scenarios! Have enough fun for all of us. xoxo

Bet you wish you knew if I really LOL

The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article about the common use and (sometimes funny) misuse of popular texting phrases. Thought you'd appreciate knowing, once and for all, what these quips really mean:

* UG2BK . . . . . . . You've got to be kidding
* GBTW. . . . . . . . Get back to work
* NMP . . . . . . . . . Not my problem
* PIR . . . . . . . . . . Parent in room
* GFTD. . . . . . . . . Gone for the day
* FYEO. . . . . . . . . For your eyes only
* BI5 . . . . . . . . . . Back in five minutes
* DEGT . . . . . . . . Don’t even go there
* BIL . . . . . Boss is listening
* PAW. . . . Parents are watching
* 99 . . . . . . Parents are no longer watching
* PCM . . . . Please call me
* IMS. . . . . I am sorry
* TOY. . . . . Thinking of you
* KUTGW. . Keep up the good work
* CID . . . . . Consider it done
* FWIW. . . For what it’s worth
* HAND . . . Have a nice day
* IAT . . . . . I am tired
* NRN . . . . No response necessary
* 4COL. . . . For crying out loud
* WRUD. . . What are you doing
* LMIRL. . . Let’s meet in real life
* ^5 . . . . . . High five
* NSFW.....Not safe for work
* LOL...Laugh out loud
* OMG.....Oh my god
* WOMBAT....Waste of money, brains, and time
* TTYL....Talk to you later
* WTF....What the #$&@
* IMO....In my opinion
* BFN....Bye for now
* ROFL....Rolling on the floor laughing
* LMAO....Laughing my @%$ off
* BFF....Best friends forever
* SWDYT....So what do you think
* WDYM....What do you mean
* GNOC....Get naked on camera
* POS....Parent over shoulder
* IWSN....I want sex now
* HBU....How 'bout you
* CIL....Check in later

Have another to share? Put it in comments and I'll add it.

TTFN (ta ta for now!)

~Ally

Changes

1. My friend had a baby! A preemie and both she and mom are doing fine.

2. I am on vacation this week. Not "vacation from my problems," just vacation from my job! :)

3. I watched the movie Trust the Man twice last week and it was hilarious both times! Rent it!

4. This month, I am taking a baby making drug that will hopefully help us get pregnant.

5. Did not get the job I interviewed for last week - sorry about that. Will keep trying.

6. It is August.

7. Mom is leaving soon for Mexico. I am gathering goodies for the various birthdays they will celebrate there.

8. Mom's house is on the market. It's a winner so check it out!

9. We got to see fireworks at the Pittsfield Balloon Rally on Saturday night, and they were spectacular - like no other fireworks!

10. I am planning a beach day this week if the weather cooperates (and maybe even if it doesn't).

~Ally

Take a Vacation From To-Do-ing

says Karen at Cheerio Road. You really must read her profound thoughts...

Allison's Aztec Casserole

Aztec Casserole
~Pastel o Budin Azteca~
adapted from the traditional Mexican cookbook Lauren made for me

Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breast, cooked, shredded or cubed
1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes (with spices added)
1 11-oz. can Super Sweet Yellow & White corn
1 small can salsa verde (green salsa made from jalapenos)
1/2 lb. shredded cheese (Cheddar or Mexi-blend)
2 flour tortillas, burrito-sized
boil-in-bag white rice, cooked according to package
1/2 green pepper, diced
olive or Canola oil for frying
spices: salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic salt, basil, lemon pepper
(sour cream optional)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). Lightly grease a 9x9 baking pan.

Cook chicken - lightly salt, pepper, and lemon pepper.
Cook rice - season with onion powder, garlic salt, and basil.

Use skillet to lightly fry two tortillas, not to the point of crispy.
Then add oil and saute green pepper.



Cut each tortilla in half; use two halves as the first layer of the casserole.

Add half the tomatoes and corn.

Add half the diced chicken and rice.


Add half the green peppers and dot with spoonfuls of salsa verde.

Cover with half the cheese.

Repeat each layer. Cheese should top the casserole. (Can add sour cream to top if desired.)


Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. (You may have leftover tomatoes and will have extra salsa verde.)


ENJOY!

~Ally