Sunday, January 31, 2010

Eight Years.

I loved you before I knew you...
30 weeks in utereo...



Mere hours after our first meeting
I loved you so much it took my breath away...
One day old...



And 8 years later,
You still take my breath away.
Every single day.

"I'm gonna watch you shine
gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign so you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father (and mother!)
who loves his daughter as much as I love you..."
(From Paul Simon's "Father & Daughter")



Happy 8th Birthday, Mary Elizabeth "Libbey" Litton!




Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Lunchable.

Last Thursday Libbey asked me (and Sissy, too!) to join her for lunch at school..."They're serving cheesy breadsticks, corn, and salad, Mommy--I don't even want to bring my lunch from home!"


How could I resist such an invitation?

Caroline and I sat at a round table with Libbey and a few of her classmates, enjoying our food, waving to all the children who called out , "Hey Libbey's Mommy!" and chatting with several of the adults also present. (A close family friend, a cousin, and a church member...yes, my child is surrounded by loved ones throughout her day at school.)

While eating, I also heard quite a few boisterous children. Noticed a couple of little girls who seemed rather withdrawn. Saw children cramming their mouths full with food...children whom I'm certain are not fed very well at home.

With ribbons festooning both her hair and blouse, a younger friend of Libbey's made a great effort to wave to me. Sitting next to her was another little girl, wearing sweatpants far too large for her petite frame, a stained, short-sleeved t-shirt, and hair that may or may not have been washed since the dawn of 2010.

I could barely choke down the remains of my meal.

To keep myself from crying, I asked Libbey and her friends about the test they had just taken, on magnets & poles. ("I made a hundred!" each child promised.)

When it came time for Libbey to return to her classroom, she hugged Caroline, hugged me, then walked off. Just as she got to the lunchroom door, she turned back and said, "Love y'all!"

Precious.

I made it to the parking lot before I fell apart. And I did fall apart...into a mess of weepy, blubbery tears.

My child attends school each day in clean clothes, with freshly a washed head and face, as well as freshly scrubbed teeth (after her belly has been filled with breakfast, of course). I pack more than enough food for her lunch each day, and when I pick her up in the afternoon she knows I'll always proclaim, "I love you!" and inquire, "Did you have a good day?"

Libbey is blessed. I remind her of this daily. Just as I remind her that no matter when or where she goes, what she becomes, or how old she grows, I will always love her. I will always take care of her. I will always be there for her.

I am blessed.

Mothers...grandmothers...aunts...godparents...lovers of children...whichever category you fall into...go hug your child today. Because we are all blessed.

And yes, I'm weepy again. When it comes to the love I have for my daughters, I am sappier than an episode of Little House on the Prairie or Dr. Quinn. (Oh, Sully...) I don't apologize for this...not even when I fall apart in the parking lot of the elementary school. It's warranted.










Monday, January 18, 2010

An Early Valentine.

Dear Love O' Mine,

I'm going public to make an announcement: I take you for granted.

You're one of the biggest parts of my life. Always faithful. Consistently meeting my needs. Ready at a moment's notice, without complaint. By my side every single day. Yet I've failed to give you the respect and admiration you've rightfully earned.

Please forgive me.

I tend to be dramatic when it comes to my obsessions loves. Make no mistake...you are my favorite. I depend upon you, I love you, I do not know what I'd do without you. From henceforth I shall properly appreciate you.

You've earned it, indeed.

Forever grateful for the past 10 years,
Lula
xoxo

It can't be wrong...when it feels so right...
'cause you...you light up my life!




Y'all know I love me some 70's Mellow Gold...
Serenade us, Debby.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Do You Realize The Street Value Of This Mountain?

This is my life. This has been my life for the past 10 days. Seriously.


And if it's not clear...let me reiterate...DONE. OVER. SICK OF IT.

I need Starbucks in my life. Target. A good movie. A meal I didn't have to cook. ANYTHING which gets me out of this house. My sanity is dependent upon it.

Oh yes, global warming in full effect. Riiiiiiiiight. (Thanks, Cara.)




p.s. Name the movie from which I stole this post's title. Lauren, you cannot participate in this one and you know why. Nor can Cara or Heather. But I love y'all...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Better Than The Mullet, I Guess.

So...

You're starting over!

As what?

*Middle-aged Barbie?

*The "they need a token-blonde" on Jersey Shore?

*The Twilight Saga's Rosalie? (Nikki Reed, I've never loved you more than I do now.)

*A Scandinavian pop star?

*A new girlfriend for Hugh Heffner?

*Vegas showgirl?

*Prospective date for Tiger Woods?


I shouldn't criticize...who am I to judge? After all, it is better than that gross mullet she's been sporting for the past year.

But seriously? New hair is a fresh start for Kate? How's she gonna manage extensions and her eight children?

Please allow me to quote this fine gentleman:

"Lord, I apologize for that right there...
be with the starving pygmies in New Guinea.
Amen!"

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sometimes I Just Don't Get It.

Almost a billion dollars earned in revenue and people are still going to see this:


Avatar

Really?

No offense, James Cameron, but Scott and I were not impressed with the blue people. Oh yeah, Sam Worthington is rather enjoyable to look at, and the CGI was top-notch. But the storyline? Eh. The liberal propaganda? Eh. The run time of 2 hours and 42 minutes? Eh.

Whatever.

Now here's a movie which deserves to earn a billion dollars:

Up in the Air

But it won't.
Sigh...

There's nothing I didn't love about this film...the screenplay, direction, cinematography, and soundtrack were top-notch. And the acting? Oh. My. Stars. George Clooney--the last of the real deal movie stars, in my opinion*--deserves the Academy Award for his portrayal of Ryan "What's In Your Backpack?" Bingham.

Also, if you thought Anna Kendrick was just some fly-by-night young actress in the Twilight saga...well, you're wrong. Her performance in Up in the Air is simply superb.

I'm a fan of classic black and white films. Remember real movie stars, such as Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jeanne Crain, and Jimmy Stewart? Pure class, I tell ya.

Up in the Air employs no gimmicks...no crazy special effects...no shoot 'em up scenes, no tasteless jokes. Oh, and no blue creatures. It's merely good storytelling. And classy performances from a cast that includes honest-to-goodness real life people, as well as talented actors.

Avatar, for me, was mind-numbing. Up in the Air, however, was stimulating...a cinematic breath of fresh air. Honestly, we need more movies like it.

But that's just my opinion.

How long until Lost returns? Just seeing if y'all are paying attention--you know, to what really matters.


*

Don't wanna leave Denzel out...
he and George are, for me, the last of a dying breed.
The very definition of "movie star."

 -----------------------------




We're not going to speak of this. 
This.  
That happened last night.
Because I realize none of you watch Doctor Who.
But it happened.
The 10th Doctor has regenerated.
I love you David Tennant.
You were a brilliant, perfect Doctor.

But give me a while to get used to this Eleventh stuff.
SOMEONE PLEASE HOLD ME.
I have never cried as much during a TV show.
HOW WILL I EVER MAKE IT THROUGH LOST'S ENDING?