Would Be Birthday...

Today is the day back in 1953 that my mom was born…
She would have been 58, and we would be celebrating with a party this weekend over the Labor Day holiday…

My sister and I will get together tonight and make my mom's best Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes…
My brother will of course say - just like when he was little:
Meatloaf again? Why always Meatloaf?

Guess he doesn't like it as much as we do :)

We'll run around like crazy people chasing after Chloe & Riley like normal.
Maybe we'll make a cake in her memory.

If we did it up right - we would be working on pumpkin muffins soon…

Will have to post about the events once they actually happen.

For now, thoughts of her arise…
Darn - I was ok until I started typing this…
Tears will come if I slow down enough to really think about it all.

Happy would have been birthday mom…
Miss you so very much every day!

Mother's Day This Year...

To celebrate Mothers Day this year, I went with Chloe to school where we spent the morning together doing activities together that she usually does with her teachers and friends. 

I could tell that she was as delighted to have me there as I was to be there with her!

I really love all these little moments and try to remember them when I get full on stressed out with my poor time management. One thing I have been trying to focus on is spending time with Dave, Chloe and Riley when we have time together, rather than thinking and stressing over all the stuff that I need to get done. Having time to focus like this and realize that there is more to life makes me see things about my mom differently.

How did she manage it? Seriously?

This is my support for managing it - Dave…

And at times, few and far between, I know I do the same for him.

It's nice being part of a team that sometimes knows how to see the stress in the other, and pick up the slack in any way possible.

It was crazy trying to keep Riley entertained while waiting for pictures with the Easter Bunny this year. He just wanted to get down and run…

Riley is so active, it takes both of us (and a helpful big sister) to keep an eye on him!

And of course - the finger up the nose!

We've got Chloe in this same pose with Santa Claus…

I love it!

And so many thoughts about times like these where I picture my mom there with us, just cracking up and participating in it all. 

Don't know if she would have really been there, but I like imagining it - seeing her smile, that crinkled nose, hearing her laughter & voice.

Then I try my best to ignore those sad sinking emotions about her not being there for these moments, and just keep those imagined ones close to my heart, because I know that she is there with us...

A Sale To Help Move Items...

I have asked all the artists that make stuff for the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop if they would mind if I ran a 20% off sale in the MMP Etsy shop this next weekend: January 28-30th. 

Everyone thought it was a good idea, so here are the details:

On Friday, January 28th you can use the coupon code "MMP20" to have 20% taken off your order (excluding shipping). The sale ends on Sunday January 30th. 

I think this is perfect timing for Valentines day gifts… 

Even if it is a gift for yourself (you should be kind to yourself - you deserve it - and you will love the jewelry - and it helps me with the room dedication!)

I really want to get the room dedication (or whatever remains) at the Tri-State Bird Rescue taken care of in February. So this will be a last hurrah for collection for this "cause".

Because all of the artists keep the finished pieces in their possession until it sells, all the items will ship from the various artists individually after the sale is over. If you ordered multiple items from the same artist - then I will send you a refund for the extra shipping charges via paypal. You can always select "other" as a form of payment and I can send you an updated invoice as well.

If you want to grab a button for your blog or website for this event, visit:
http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/p/buttons-for-blogs.html

Look for more items to be added to the shop in the next couple of days!

Thank you!!!
Oh, and just FYI - purchases through the MMP shop automatically get you entered to a drawing I have over on my Marsha Neal Studio Specials Blog for January.