Memories

This is one of my favorite photos of my mom, my nephew, and me. We lost her on this very day in 2014, and not a single day goes by without missing her. Now, my nephew has grown into his own man—no longer the little kid he once was. Looking back on these memories fills me with joy, reminding me of how things used to be and the smiles that came with them. Though time has passed, those moments remain a cherished part of my heart.

Honduran Day

Snorkeling in the calm, crystal-clear waters of Big French Cay in Roatan, Honduras, is an unforgettable experience. As you glide through the water, schools of cheerful fish swim playfully around your legs, creating a lively scene. Beneath the surface, replica ruins surrounded by anemones spark the imagination, inviting you to dive deeper into the wonders of the sea. After a refreshing swim, unwind with a Mai Tai or another tropical drink in hand, while soaking in the beauty of a perfect Honduran day.

POGS!?

 When I was in middle school, Pogs were everywhere. I remember having stacks of them, neatly stored in tubes, and spending hours playing with my friends. I was always on the hunt for the Jurassic Park-themed ones—they were my absolute favorite. I even had a Pog maker, which I used to create my own custom Pogs using images from magazines and comics.  

Recently, during a conversation with some friends, Pogs came up, and it sparked the idea to introduce them to my niece and nephew. It was such a joy to share this nostalgic piece of my childhood with them. Teaching them how to play brought back so many memories, and seeing their excitement made it even more special. It’s amazing how something so simple can bridge generations and create new memories.

An Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making

I have always been a collector, sometimes I have to watch my collections so they do not overtake my home and life.   Jurassic Park is one of my favorite franchises and has been since I was eight years old and the movie first hit the screen back in June 1993.   I remember the excitement leading up to it and how the movie trailers on TV just captured my imagination.   I also remember the McDonalds cups being everywhere.  I am lucky to have the full collection, I even managed to get the collection of Burger King Lost World watches in 1997, even having the manager get me the last one out of the display case so that I could have them all.   To many it may seem like useless junk, but to me not only is it a link to my childhood… but I just think it’s cool! 

Diva Dog

I have never seen a canine with so much patience…. Meet Noelle and her mom Meredith, two divas going through life with enough priss and sophistication to put any multi-million dollar heiress to shame. Meredith is the daughter of one of my very best friends. Meredith is the Queen Bee with the heart of an angel, always loving and caring. Noelle is the little black poodle with the courage of a lion and patience of a thirsty cactus. I have never seen a dog play with a child the way that Noelle plays with Meredith… ok well I had also never seen a dog sit in a swing with its legs hanging out, while actually swinging without making some attempt for escape, but I guess if you’re a diva… then its all good!

Direct Descendant

My childhood pet was Shadow, a wonderful Dachshund that came into my life in 1994, and suddenly left it in 1999. Shadow was my best friend, and I miss her dearly, I remember the day she died very clearly, I was in 9th grade and I lost my very best friend… just before I lost most of everything I held dear. Shadow had several puppies, and my Great Uncle Henry has the only one I know of that is still alive… and at 12 years old Minnie is a mirror for me of what her mother may have looked like had she survived. Minnie is a lot like her mother was, and I can still remember the day she was born, being with her carries me back to shadow, and I feel close to her anytime I am near her daughter.

Beady Beautiful

When I was younger we called these “Mardi Gras” beads… hey I still call them that. My friend Lisa is planning to use them in her wedding, to decorate the trees, when she finishes it will be beautiful. I personally have many memories from my childhood revolving around these lovely colorful necklaces… I used them at Christmas to make ornaments, I used them to play dress up as a small tot, and I can still come up with crafty things to do with “Mardi Gras” beads... without showing any body parts!