ApplePie2005's Xanga

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:07:27 GMT

“To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.”

----Anne-Sophie Swetchine

Today has been a lazy day -- which has been nice. I have spent most of the day watching t.v. and even more relaxing and fun, playing with my sweet grandson, Julian. He helped me cook dinner, do the dishes and loves to play counting games.

This week has been rather emotionally hectic, both at work (it is our busy season) and at home (my daughter's marriage has officially ended). I have been very sad because Justin (my son-in-law) has moved out of the area to begin anew -- which is good for him, I realize -- But, it is sometimes hard to let go of those you care about and who have been a part of your family. In my heart, Justin will always be my son-in-law -- and, I will always consider him part of my family (for he will always be my grandson's daddy). He is a good young man with a wonderful, sweet heart and I hope all of the very best for him. My heart has just so very heavy with his leaving -- the finality of circumstances... The reality of life and living are sometimes simply difficult.... You so badly want things (e.g. relationships) to work out -- to have the happy ending we all see at the movies -- but sometimes it is just not to be.

I often wonder why so very few relationships work out these days.... I wish all families could have the role models of my wonderful parents, who are my heroes in life. Certainly, they have struggled in their 50+ year relationship, but the love they have with each other and their genuine friendship and solidarity of purpose has allowed them to show others how very wonderful life can be to share, to love one another, love your family and not give up when things are hard. I would love to share one of the family videos Steve and I made for my parent's 50th Wedding Celebration last June. This video is entitled "Beginnings" as it showcases their young lives, both before they actually met -- and up to their wedding -- and ends with photos/memories of their parents and grandparents relationships. To view the video, please go to the link: http://video.xanga.com/ApplePie2005/b4b48669141/video.html

Be sure to turn on your speakers because it is accompanied by music. I hope you like it!

Love to all!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:17:30 GMT

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

---Nelson Mandela

Hi! I hope you all are well! I have had a nasty time with the flu for the last three days. Dylan was sick with it over the weekend and, after taking care of him, I then came down with it on Tuesday. I am glad to report that Dylan is better and went back to school on Wednesday. Anyway, I have not felt this sick or drained in years. (I suppose I have been pretty lucky, when you look at it that way!) Apparently, there is a flu epidemic in my area -- and a few of the schools have even closed down to disinfect! I know I need to rest and take care of myself -- but is it VERY frustrating to be sick!!! No time for this, ya know? But then again, I suppose that is LIFE! Take care of yourselves, okay?

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:36:29 GMT

"Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."

--John Updike

Ryan just celebrated his 19th Birthday!!!

It truly seems like yesterday that he was a sweet, smiling baby in my arms:) He is now a grown man, learning about life as an adult. He is working in a 'fire watch' position for a large contractor in Freeport, Texas. I sure miss him but know it is time for him to grow up... Since he was a baby, he has shown others a sweet, caring and sensitive spirit. He is very kind and goes out of his way for the underdogs in the world, even receiving a reward in 6th grade for his kindness and for standing up for kids in school who were constantly being teased by other not so kind students. Photos of Ryan clearly show his kind nature -- and everyone can easily recognize, simply by looking at his sweet eyes just how special he is. Thought I would share some of those precious photos with all of you.

My smiling baby Ryan

Sweet soul

Ryan after he had ear surgery to remove a cholesteatoma

My nephew Kyle, daughter Taylor and son Ryan

Ryan's Graduation from Preschool

Smiling Ryan

Soccer Days

A formal event

Ryan's first car

Silly

Ryan and childhood friend Matt

Ryan and friends (Ryan is on the top, 2nd one from the left)

Ryan's Graduation from High School (Dylan, Me, Ryan and Taylor)

Ryan has made me a very proud mom! He is a very special person. Thank you for letting me share him with you:)

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:43:41 GMT

It has been a LONGGGGGG time...:) I have missed everyone -- but have kept up with everyone through my daily xanga subscription reports. Even though I have not posted in awhile, I think of all of you quite frequently. Since my divorce, I have just had a mental block of sorts when it came to posting and relating with others. I suppose my ZEST disappeared for a bit. Then, I just got tremendously busy with daily life, working, spending time with my family, etc. I am now working as a junior partner with my former boss (with whom I have worked for over 10 years prior to going to law school). My job keeps me extremely busy -- we are in the middle of a very busy season -- so, I am rather stressed out when I get home -- so, I often zone in front of the t.v. So much is going on -- I will have to catch everyone up gradually... Steve has become a major part of my life... I am lucky to have him. He is wonderful, supportive and very loving.

Taylor and Julian have moved in -- and Ryan has moved out (now living in Texas with his paternal grandmother). Ryan is working for his uncle making good money and paying off his car loan. I miss him very much but I think the move will be good for him as he needs to see how the real world operates. Dylan is doing extremely well in school, making wonderful grades.

I have read all of your posts -- and shared your triumphs and mourned your heartaches. So much has happened to my xanga friends: divorce, devastating fires, marriage, love, loss of family. We have all shared so much with one another. My heart has been so very touched and saddened to watch my good friend Mimi (leayellowrose) endure and struggle with her young and precious Julian's fight with a devastating form of cancer -- watching him gain his angel's wings. Julian's grandmother, Judy (lilgrandma), is also my xanga friend and my heart has been so very touched with both of their posts. He was a beautiful boy -- and now he is a beautiful angel. Please say a prayer for this beautiful family....

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 20:27:57 GMT

Sorry I haven't been around like I said I planned to....:) Things have been sooooo hectic.

Just a short catch-up------

I passed the Bar!!!! I was so worried I would have to re-take it in February --- but, no, I guess I actually did it.

I was sworn in as an attorney last week -- then went off (the very same day) to Florida for a celebration with the family.

I guess I needed to have more faith in myself. So many things dragging me down -- but now things are looking up again.

I love all of you and think about all of you every day....

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 01:38:50 GMT

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

----Eleanor Roosevelt

Hello, my friends.... Today was my grandson Julian's B-day party. He will be one year old on July 31st -- I cannot believe an entire year has gone by! He was so precious today opening up his gifts (or should I say, playing with the packages and paper... LOL). Taylor made a really cool video of his first year -- while Julian cutely babbled and meddled in things throughout the entire viewing. It was nice to see Justin's family again. I will be posting some B-day photos later -- but in the meantime, here are some other recent photos of sweet Julian.

Justin (my son-in-law) and Julian (my grandson)

Sorry I have not been around much this year -- but I just finished taking the Bar Exam this past Tuesday and Wednesday. On top of work, family and taking the BarBri and UMKC Bar prep courses, I had no time for much of anything. And, after enduring the two day exam at Jefferson City, (during which I was completely stressed and nauseous), I arrived home to find myself utterly exhausted, with absolutely no remaining energy and with a headache that just would not go away.

Although I cannot say I am even close to being back to 'myself', I am getting much better. At least now I have time to attend to some important things that I had to overlook just to focus on the bar -- like catching up with my finances (yikes!), focusing on work (yikes!), cleaning my house (double yikes!) and most important of all, spending lost time with my patient --yet forsaken, sadly---- family. It has been one hell of a year for my family -- and so many events have played a heavy toll (the divorce -- our lack of financial resources due to the divorce -- and the inordinate amount of time I had to devote to graduate and take the bar) -- but I did what I had to do to finish what I started four years ago when I started law school. That was all I could do for the well-being of my family -- move forward and improve my family's situation for the future, while enduring (yet trying to ignore) the havoc that was taking place in the present.

And, if it were not for the many kindnesses, generosity and wonderful words of hope and encouragement (to keep on 'keeping on') from my family, friends, classmates, colleagues and professors, I would never have made it through. Thank you all for your love and support. I will never forget it.

I have missed all of you guys -- and have tried my best to keep up with all of you through my subscriptions. But, I know I have missed out on a lot.... and for that, I am sorry! It also looks like Xanga has made many changes since I last posted. I hope I can keep up with it all.

Love to all,

Lisa:)

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:25:01 GMT

One and all:

Grad Party here in the land of Oz -- Saturday, May 6th at 6:30 pm. If you can make it, let me know, and I will email you directions.....

Love and Peace,

Lisa

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 18:01:33 GMT

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”

--Sophocles (496 BC-406 BC)

Seems like forever since I updated.... The many distractions one can have while trying to live life!!! Seems like everything is broken lately -- my garbage disposal, my washing machine, my computer, my Toyota (thermostat, oil light), the Durango (brake pads -- now starter problem), Ryan's Z (wrecked/totalled by Troy's brother Shawn), etc etc etc. Luckily, Steve, who is very mechanical and technical, has been EXTREMELY helpful and has fixed and/or is in the process of fixing these things for me.

Then, I wonder how I can be so SILLY getting caught up and worried about my 'broken things' when TyneeGrannyB has lost her home, her furnishings, all of her world's belongings, in the fire that consumed her home recently. And, she has exhibited such grace and composure throughout it all, maintaining her wonderful sense of humor, in what I consider to be one of life's most adverse situations. She has taught me a LOT with her strength and courage.

Tynee has also been such a wonderful and caring friend to me --- and, I know to many of you as well -- She was SO very helpful to me when I was having a hard time several months back, calling me from her home in Canada and making me laugh endlessly when I was so very down. I absolutely love and treasure that conversation and still smile when I think back on it. Tynee is truly an amazing, strong, and funny woman and I am very grateful to know such a delightful person.

Now, for a few photos that I have not yet shared with you:

My lovely sister Dana and my precious grandson Julian:

Julian:

Taylor, Justin and Julian's first Christmas:

My lovely sister Jalah and her boyfriend Eric:

My goofy (yet handsome) son Ryan (no, that is not a real mustache!):

My cute son Dylan and my lovely niece Hannah:

Steve:

Steve and his lovely twin nieces in Florida:

Steve - Daytona Beach, FL:

Me and my 'shining night in armor' at Medieval Times in Florida:

Love and Peace to All!

---Lisa

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:31:44 GMT

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

-- Thomas Paine

Hi Friends! Sorry I have been away so very long -- thought I should take a little time and update you on what is going on in my life.

School is going very good -- I have completed my graduation form, taken my graduation photos and am ready for the Grad Ceremony in May!

I have received all of my grades from last semester -- and luckily, even with all of my stress of last semester, I passed all of my courses with flying colors. I am not sure how I did that -- but I am certain it had a LOT to do with the love and support of my friends and family. And, to think that I was considering dropping out of school last semester!!! Thank you all so much for your love and support. I really appreciate each and every one of you.

I only have 10 hours this semester (Conflicts of Law, Advanced Legal Writing: Practical Skills, Advanced Legal Writing: Scholarly Writing: and Estate Drafting and Planning)-- but, as you can see, three of my four courses are writing courses -- and on top of that, I still have my Research and Writing Requirement to finish...... YIKES! I will spending a lot of time researching and writing this semester........

The divorce with Troy is going forward -- the Temp Order/Petition for Divorce were filed this past Monday (finally!) My life is moving forward, I am happy to say.

A lot of changes in my life, huh? But, I have learned that change is not such a bad thing -- and can be a very good thing, actually.

Anyway, I love you all and hope to come around and visit your sites soon. I am sorry I have been absent for so very long. I will try to write more regularly.

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside.
You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think.
You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many aquaintences.
You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Love and Peace to All!

---Lisa

Monday, October 31, 2005

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 22:57:07 GMT

Just an announcement to all of you who have wondered/worried. It is time to let you all know that my husband and I are getting divorced after ten and a half years together. Not my choice, but his.

Yes, I am having a hard time -- but I am trying my damndest to focus on putting one foot in front of the other on a daily basis, getting finished with school and focusing on my children.

Sometimes life really deals some pretty painful/awful blows, doesn't it? But, I have learned these last few weeks that I will be okay after all. I have wonderful children, family, friends -- and a new career waiting for me after I pass the bar in July.

Thank you for all of your wonderful support. You guys are the best and I love you all.

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead...
But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself.
You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place.
You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

How Machiavellian Are You?