May 2nd It's PRICELESS!

This question is deep.  Several ways in which to answer, but as for me I answered it straight way, what was the first thing I thought of... what first?

 What personal item do you own that is PRICELESS, 

why is it so valuable.

sample:  NIKKI'S ANSWER: My diary is priceless! It's like a BFF in book form.  Id probably have a meltdown if I ever lost it.


SIAN:



IZZY:  When I first read the question, the word which jumped out at me which made me "back up" a bit was the word " own "    Personal: own : Priceless.... but what my mind turned to was ... first blush, immediate recollection (probably as I just wrote about my Son (Stephen now called Sam) I distinctly remember him recalling how he asked me told hold an item for me to keep it safe.  It was a necklace.  A Power Ranger piece.  I came across it just a few short years ago.  Through a flame, fire, and fidgets of floundering, I kept it.  At the time he considered it priceless.  He was conquering imaginary dragons, with toy swords... now he is conquering different types of dragons in a man's world with tools of a different sort.  But I continue to treasure any request from Sam or Sian to "keep this for me, I'd like to have it again some day to remember."     If I had a to pic a possession, (not the Bible in case of flood or famine and nothing) but something which I think is not easily replaced?  Photos...as they bring back memories... the photo is a physical possession linking to that of an emotional experience.

May 1, 2017 Kissie Kissy

OMG! Your working at a KISSING BOOTH to raise money for CHARITY.
Name the first six people in line for Kisses.

Sian:



Izzy: Mom, Dad, Gran, Grandaddy, Ming and running from some other booth at which she was attending/playing comes Sian.        As for my son, he's now a grown man... but if I were in heaven, and we experience / remember moments again and again... those luvie hugs and kisses I received from Tiger and Stephen all jumbled at the same time... laughing and giggling.

April 30th, 2017 Restaurant Roundup

Your dining out with your family!

Love the quality time? or Embarrassed that kids from school will see you with them.

Sian:



Izzy:

Currently, Sam and Sheri, and Sian have a home without a dining table.  The three of them frequently eat out, and yet they do gather around the kitchen island... the mock table of dining.  So if the point of dining together is a time to come together, tell stories, catch up on the days ups and downs, or simply to recharge or relax. ... it contributes to developing a sense of who one is as a family.  Having observed them from points of a run of the mill Wednesday night dinner,  a rush to get everything ready before a trip, a hey we're back from a trip night, to Thanksgiving...   I can say dinner is frequently rushed.  But when they attend dinner at a restaurant, I notice each of them takes longer to eat, are more casual, open and attentive to one another at a restaurant.  Me? I"m just the opposite... I would rather have a meal at home.  It is a question of eating vs. dining.    They dine out, and I'm always looking forward to being asked to join them.


PS:  Remember when I asked Sian "when was the last time you remember laughing?"    Her reply was something to the jest of "can't remember."   Well here's some photos of latest dining adventure... see how much fun they're having???

April 29th, 2017 What's Your Name?

You went a little crazy at the pet store! 

Come up with cute names for your four new pets:

Dog? Cat? Goldfish? Monkey?

Sian:




Izzy: I am simply going to answer based on years of wishing to do this kind of thing....

Two dogs, each a companion to the other:  
A rough bull dog named FeFe and a cute little maltese name Spike.

Two dogs, or cats, or whatever:
Two named Goodness and Mercy... as they will follow me all the days of my life.

Three fish, or mice, or rabbits
Named Eenie,  Meenie, and Miney   "where's Mo?  Mo's on the way"

April 28th, 2017 ONE word ... BFF

Choose ONE word to describe your BFF.   

Why this word?

Sian:





Izzy:  Mariluz has been my BFF for many years.  She is the mother of one of my dearest friends, Rossana Cianciolo.    Rossana and I met during the late 70's when she and I were playing around in the weekend beauty contest circuits.  She is absolutely phenomenal, an astounding beauty, and has the grace and charm of Lady Diana.  I considered it a compliment when she called me friend, and was moved when invited me quite often to join her at her home, country club, and extended a welcoming hand between me and her friends.  They too, I now consider my friends, and would do most anything to extend courtesy, sacrifice, and comfort as they need.  As we grew older and she moved out of town, Mariluz and I became close.  Being with Mariluz was like being with Rossana... it was just an extention.   Today, my one word to describe my BFF is quiet.  We used to frequently talk, visit, and plan so many adventures.  Now, after falling down, breaking her arm, injuring her wrist, having a mild stroke, and a rough recovery from an accident on MY mom's birthday... She is more quiet and frequently not up to "doing" and is quite ill.  I miss her. 

April 27th, 2017 ONE word...You

This question, as with others, was sent by text.  So, given the one word answers frequently used in texting I thought I might strike gold.   Well, it wasn't goLd, but it was goOd.

Choose ONE word to describe yourself.  Why this word?

Izzy's text to Sian:  IF you can't remember when you last laugh[ed].... then perhaps choose a word describing you today.

Sheri's text:   She said good.


See what I mean?   I was looking for one of those words she often uses while I hear her dancing in the house, and singing over the phone...  "fantastic"   "wonderful"  "hap-hap-happy"  or something.... but I must admit ... the first phrase I learned from Sian was "I'm good."    We even say "all good" to inform each other when, at times, although it is rough going, it is "all good" and "under control."


So what word would I use to describe myself?  Creative... Why?  Although there are other words which can be used ... and quite clearly describe me... creative is a word I think I would like to use today.  It describes the type of flexible maneuvering my psyche performs when I look at my granddaughter.  What used to sound and softly behave as Grace Kelly, now is boldly, assertively, and quite independently an 8 year old Joan Jet of sorts.  Creative in my use of communication as I can't see her as often as I wish, creative in the use of funds to accomplish taking of me as well as giving her token efforts of items.  Also, it brings to mind a comment about my life's approach.   Mindy once said... "A box?  Lisa doesn't just think outside of the box... she doesn't even bother with the box."  My son thanked me for loving him, and acknowledge I did so with unconventional methods.  I'll create for the reader the image of water, rolling over rocks, seeping through holes in brick walls, frozen, liquid of steam... water has a way of getting to "the next thing."  

April 26, 2017 Hap-Hap-Happy, when last?

As we travel through the years, we experience recurring themes.  They tend to make "us" who we are, and fix our mind on who we believe we are.  Today's moment is elation.  The question asks.. 

Do you remember a time you were SO HAPPY you wanted to CRY?  

The question was actually asked via a text, so the initial response was anticipated to be dry.  Didn't think a one word answer would be it... but hey... Perhaps they were driving, and one doesn't text and drive.

Izzy:  Hey Sian...what was the latest thing which caused you a good laugh?

Sheri:  Sian not here yet.

Many texts between Sheri and Izzy...

Izzy:   Sian...last great laugh 

Sheri:  She said doesn't have one.


Well, so I was crushed.  This child laughs so much, constantly has a smile on her face, and is little fazed by anything...  So knowing she a giggle turns into a laugh frequently, I passed this vague response as it is odd to be asked such a question over a text, especially when one hasn't established a pattern of daily "so today's question is..."    If you doubt she laughs often, just check out the blog a few days later on April 30th, 2017.  (Contains photos of Sian and Sheri just a giggling away.)


So when I, Izzy, remember the last time I was sooo happy I cried, I recall asking Sian if she remembered the prefixes Dis and Un and their origins...

(Dis is Roman/Latin and Un is Old English Anglo-Saxon)   Now let me remind the reader here, Sian is currently in the second grade at the time of this writing.  What do YOU remember about the second grade?    Explaining the difference between DIS and UN is somewhat complex.  Knowing where the prefix originates helps (later in life) understand more completely a word.    For instance:   DISsatisfied and UNsatisfied are two completely different things.       The Roman/Latin DIS, often used about people implies having yet to be happy, fulfilled, gratified.  When applied to things, they are apart, asunder, away, there is separation.    Whereas the Anglo-Saxon / Middle English UN is used more distantly as in NOT.  It is a much Bolder statement, and frequently is associated with quantity or lack.  Think about that for a minute.  UN, Middle English, the time of rebellion of the serfs, rebelled basically for LACK of QUANTITY of sorts. One attends school, and better schools, to acquire the knowledge of THAT difference...

So, continuing, I cried when Sian answered "Of course I know the origins of DIS and UN... Dis is Roman."   I simply cried and attempted to explain how wonderfully proud I was of her "smarts," her "brain," and how effortlessly she recalled such a tiny distinction in words in only the second grade.