This is one of the pigs from my collection. Rick brings me back pigs from all over the world....this one is from Costa Rica. 

Whole Momma Group Gifty thingy....

This is for my Whole Momma group, gifty-thinging.
Here is my filled in blanks!
Fill in the blanks:If I could get away with it, I'd steal __a Book Shoppe____________________, because damn it, it should be mine.I sometimes buy __Scrapbooking__________ magazine, because I lust after _great lay-out ideas______.If you came over to my house to play and broke my __Magenta____ crayon, I'd be a little bit mad at you forever.The colour __orange________ should only be used in fungal remedy packaging or if human waste were to be redesigned.The colour __Sage ___ makes my heart feel like it is full of happy kittens frolicking in a sunny, grassy meadow.___plastic_____ makes me break out in gooberous pustules (or else I just don't like it, but I'm too nice to say it.)I might get sick or die if I touch or ingest __polyester_____, or look at __main-stream parenting magazines___.___gives me the heebie jeebies and I might need to seek therapy if I even think about it further.I love the feel of ____silk______ so much I have a primitive urge to stick some down my pants.No one should have to watch me eat __Key-Lime Pie____, because really If I were eating some in private, I'd be quite a pig about it.I would rather chew tinfoil and shave my head with a cheese grater than eat _Lima Beans__.I DO/DON’T follow recipes because ___I love to bake and experiment with new recipes____.For Marla, "White Shoulders" perfume will always smell like her laid-out dead grandmother. I feel that way about __all perfumes_____.If I could, I'd perfume my own farts and those of my loved ones with the scent of ___Sandlewood_______.I have TOO MANY/TOO MUCH OF ____Things to do_____, and not enough __time in the day to do them [how do you wrap the gift of time?]_____.Gadgets are for __the junk drawer___.When people have kind, sweet and nice things about me, they're usually talking about _my children_____.I can't be upset if people dis me about __always doing to much for everyone else___, because it's true.If I could have any talent in the world, I'd choose __a beautiful voice_______ and use it to _sing love songs and lullabye's______.You are given an hour and twenty dollars to spend in one of these places, childfree. Choose one, or write your own:A Book store because I just love to read and listen to music and I could get lost in a book store for hours and hours.And here's the last chance to make sure that you're not going to get a "Jelly of the Month" club membership when you're expecting your bonus for a swimming pool:It is important to me that the items chosen for me __Makes the giver feel happy about giving it......because it is truly about the friendship and not the gift.........______.(Examples: respect my Wal-Mart boycott, are vegan, aren't made by child or sweatshop labour, can be stuffed down my pants)AndIf I could suggest that you read only one post from my archives, this would be it: _http://www.ramblingmommythoughts.blogspot.com_____AndIf I were to name the Holiday of my choice for this exchange, it would be: __Winter Solstice_____________ (Please feel free to make one up - but this is your chance to say "Um, I'm Jewish but that doesn't mean give me dreidels!" or "More Santa decorations please - I only have thirty-seven now." or "Winter and gifts yes; religious denominations, no - if only all cards could be like those politically correct corporate holiday wishes!" if you want to.)Let me say that I'm looking forward to this chance to spoil someone as I'd like to be spoiled myself. For so many years. I've put lots of thought and time into gifts for friends and family, and have enjoyed the process more than anything. Sometimes it's a bit lost on the giftee, but that doesn't daunt me. I have never ever just handed something over without having considered how an item would be received. Years and years working in retail taught me how emotionally loaded gift exchanges can be - and yet I still love the thrill of finding something that might be perfect and I often feel disappointed when I get short shrift in return. When someone really finds the right present for me, I'll inwardly sqeal with glee (and outwardly sometimes too) becasue they've shown me that they've glimpsed my soul. And it's not hard - sometimes that's as simple as a gift of a bottle of bourbon.Presents can be a great way to learn about how someone views you. I doubt anyone who reads my blog thinks I'd like a sponge painted teacup with a goose in a bonnet on it - but one of you might figure out that a 1954 copy of Life magazine with instructions on how to dance the Cha-lypso or vintage chenille Christmas ornaments would be great. Or, one of you might not know that the perfect Pocky flavour exists for you and I'm the one to find it. After reading my own answers to this questionnaire, you will know me better than most of my family members currently do.And so, you crazy participants - go out there and spoil your fellow blogger.Because even though her family and friends love her and will be thinking about her, NOBODY will be doing it in quite the same way you will, and that's thrilling. How fun - the giving will be as fun as the getting!
*********This was fun!!!
Please see my Mommy blog [http://www.ramblingmommythoughts.blogspot.com] for other ideas.

Me......

Whole Momma Gifty Thingy......


My 101 things about me is a good way to get a glimpse into the Rambling Mommy......

I have more than I could ever imagine, and want for nothing [except the things that I do need would have to be fullfilled by Ty Pennington of Extreme Home Makeover....like little leaks in the roof, pipes that leak]

I love life and celebrate family and friends everyday.

I love to read,,,read,,,,read. I am very eclectic in my reading. Everything interests me [well almost everything, I don't get into sci-fi, very often]

I am an avid gardner and love annuals, perinnials and herbs. [That is why my youngest daughter is named Emma Sage]

I love whimsy, and things that are given to me from the heart stay with me forever....

I love pigs,,,,,,,not pink, plastic, korny pigs.....but classic, whimsical pigs. [Does this make sense? I'll post a picture to show you what I mean]

I love magic and believe in the power of prayer......that our souls are eternal and that angels are amongst us.

I have a fairy garden for the children and adore Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies poems and drawings.

I love photography and art and I love to make things....I'm always making things.....crafts, pictures, baking, gardens.....I always have to be doing something.

The most important facet of my life is being a Mother......this is an area that I take great pride and joy....and cherish everything to do with Mothering.

I don't drink often, but if I did, I would have either a Margarita or a great wine.

I love music [everything but rap to tell you the truth] and movies have to be either romantic or comedic and if they are both the better. I have not even watched Titanic because I would cry too deeply and hard at the loss of life that is shown and so I just can't bring myself to watch it.

While my husband travels the world....I'm truly a home-body.

My favorite 'me' time is a hot, bubbly, relaxing bath.

and that is about all I can think of.

Peace, TM

Ottolookingoutwindow1

Ottolookingoutwindow1
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Portrait of my little man. I took this today when we were just sitting on the couch talking and I realized that the light from the window cast a nice contast on Otto.....

This is a painting of my father done by his good friend and amazing artist, Paul Matthews. I have loved this painting since Paul painted it because he truly captured the essense of my Dad.....if you notice there is a cigarette in his left hand and his hands are exactly in the motion of my father in conversation. I look at this painting and feel like I'm sitting with my Dad talking....like we have done so many, many times throughout my life [Dad, I miss our 2 a.m. in the morning, me coming home from a night out with friends, chats!]

Well,,,this Rambling Mommy has been running ragged just keeping up with life....and living it to its fullest and celebrating each wonderful day. This picture is of my Great-grandma and Grandpa Hagood. I took this at my parents house on Halloween and I have been thinking about the two of them since.....so I will sit down tonight and write about my memories of the times I got to spend with these two beautiful souls. My Great-grandpa was part Cherokee Indian and the two of them were born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee........a part of my heritage that I find fascinating. Much of my spirituality was formed by spending time gardening and visiting with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Paul.

101 things about me

101 things about me….

1. I am in my early 40s and I'm still trying to figure out how that can be...


2. If asked, I still think I'm about 28


3. But that is funny, because if you had asked me at 21 my age, I would have thought, about 28


4. I am the oldest of four children


5. My dear brother, who was 12 months younger than me, died a week after my fourth child was born ~ I'm still trying to come to terms with his death


6. Being a Mother has to be the greatest experience and calling of my life


7. I married my best friend and soul mate.


8. We are a part, more than we are together, that makes our relationship good as Im a very independent person and so is he.


9. I love pizza, I could eat pizza everyday of my life [with different toppings of coarse as to keep variety in my life]


10. I adore seafood and could eat fresh fish and shellfish daily


11. I love good, whole food


12. I love to create things


13. My favorite mediums are photography and pencil drawing


14. Someday I hope to be able to create a work of art everyday


15. I love to sew, but haven't in a while because my sewing machine is broken


16. No money for a new sewing machine because I'm saving for a good digital SLR camera, I like photography more than sewing


17. I like to knit and crochet, and pray I have many days of life when I'm older to just sit and knit and crochet and listen to music, my Nana from Sweden taught me needle work


18. I love music,,,all kinds, don't have a favorite, but I dislike rap.


19. My wedding song was a Reggae song by Bob Marley


20. I used to skydive, 268 times to be exact


21. My parachute was the colors of the rainbow


22. I used to rock climb and rappel..........I would prefer to climb first and rappel down, but most of my climbing was the other way around


23. I love the rain,,,,I love to watch it, hear it and I love the smell of the air when it is raining


24. I am………


25. The above statement refers to my spiritual beliefs…..I am, I believe that everything is possible, that all religious and spiritual beliefs are valid and to that extent, I am part of the whole.


26. I was raised Roman Catholic, but today am a member of four local churches and visit many more..........I love to attend churches and temples and see how others worship, although I can't define myself as any one religion.


27. My favorite place to pray and meditate is outside, in the gardens with my hands digging in the dirt, or in the early morning as the sun is beginning to dawn and the world is slowly waking up..........those are the times when I feel most connected to God.


28. I am Irish


29. I am Swedish


30. I am Cherokee Indian


31. I am human


32. I live in the country, in a valley called 'German Valley'.......and my favorite view is looking up the valley towards 'Schooly Mountain'


33. My home is my most comfortable place to be.........I like being home more than any place else in the world


34. I love to garden and grow things


35. I have over 23 verities of lavender growing and hope to continue to add to my collection


36. I love to grow herbs and perennial plants


37. I am not the best vegetable gardener, so mostly buy from the local farmers


38. I make a wicked apple pie


39. I am a good cook, and always try to improve


40. I lived in New York City for three years and absolutely love the city


41. I visit on occasion and it always brings back the New Yorker in me


42. I was a stockbroker for 9 years


43. I was a media relations specialist for 4 years


44. I worked in a high pace, cut-throat environment


45. I don’t want to work like that ever again


46. Right now I am a professional Mommy [I care for two other children besides my own four]


47. I had four distinctly different births


48. My first was overly medicated and controlled by the doctors without any due respect towards me ~ I was treated like a piece of meat


49. My second was absolutely perfect, beautiful and peaceful with a midwife


50. My third was my most difficult ~ as my son was breech and they turned him, first at 37 weeks and then again at 40 weeks and induced me........he was born direct OP and a lot of work to deliver


51. My last was my most ideal birth because she was born at home and I delivered her, but not as perfect as my second because this was not a planned homebirth and it happened so fast


52. I have nursed for a total time of 12 years and 8 months


53. You can just call me Bessie the cow! Lol!


54. I love water


55. I love taking hot, long baths with lavender in it [that is why I grow lavender]


56. I have had some powerful experiences in my life that first appeared to me in my dreams


57. I don't know what that means other than it can be quite freaky


58. I could get lost in a bookstore for hours and hours looking and reading,,,,,,


59. I love to read, when I was younger I would walk to the local library a few times a week and check out books to read and my house today is filled with books, and I collect children's books.


60. My most favorite place to read was sitting on a rock over-looking the waterfall near our house


61. My friends and I used to jump off of this same waterfall


62. Today, I would have a nervous breakdown if I knew my own children would be jumping off this same waterfall ~~~funny how things change


63. My mother is from Ireland so I am first generation American on her side


64. My husbands father is from Germany so he is first generation American on his side


65. My dh travels the world over, I like to stay within 10 miles of home


66. I love to play backgammon and card games


67. I don't drink often, but if I do, I love Margarita's or a very good red wine [my hubby brings me wine home from all over the world]


68. I have never smoked, I hate cigarettes


69. I married a non-smoker, who now smokes? Still trying to figure that one out


70. I think that Amsterdam has the right idea about legalizing cannabis


71. I love rollercoaster's, and I am glad all four of my children do too, cause we have so much fun visiting amusement parks and going on all the rollercoasters


72. My one vice is coffee, I drink two cups a day [sometimes more]


73. But I have to get it at the coffee shop, as I just can't make a good cup at home


74. I think that it might be not just the coffee but the routine of going to the coffee shop that I really enjoy


75. I can't go into a local store without having to stop and chat and say hello to everyone I know,,,,this makes for long shopping trips


76. I hate nail polish and fake nails


77. I rarely wear make-up


78. My hair has always been long [past my waist] for most of my life


79. Right now it is long and I always wear it in a bunn


80. I'm thinking I need a change


81. I don't dye my hair, so it has a lot of gray in it


82. It is exciting to me to watch my children grow and learn and become their own unique selves


83. Sometimes it is scary to watch this process, especially since Katrina and Greta are teenagers now


84. I would love to be a grandmother and great-grandmother someday


85. The continuum of life fascinates me


86. I married my first true loves ~ best friend,,,,they are still best friends today


87. I love movies that are either funny or about relationships and love


88. I hate action movies and scary movies, can't/won't watch them


89. I love the discovery channel and the history channel


90. I faux finish and paint murals


91. I love to go to the theatre and at one point in my life, I had seen every play on and off Broadway


92. I used to eat at Windows on the World once a week


93. I was supposed to be at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, but because of my daughter Emma Sage being born with Down syndrome I chose to leave my job that would have brought me to the WTC that fateful day


94. I believe there is a reason for everything


95. I have never gotten a ticket while driving [knocking on wood right now]


96. I love animals and have 3 dogs and 3 cats and 3 goats


97. I don't know why I have 3 goats and they are living up the road at my neighbors farm right now


98. I hate to shop, but love to go to Home Depot and Lowes and look around


99. I Can't figure out why my daughters love to shop so much when I despise it.


100. I collect pigs, antique figurines and paintings


101. I have every letter and card ever sent to me in my life in a wooden box in the basement ~~~~sometimes I bring it upstairs and read though the different facets of my life that were sent to me by family, friends and lovers ~~~ I cherish the written word and it is such a treat to reminisce over cards, letters and poems

Militant Cult Member

I’m a militant cult member.

Yes, you heard me right.

I’m a militant cult member................sounds funny doesn't it.

Me, mild mannered, gentle soul, completely open-minded, Zen and Tao student, world religion researcher, Mothering, mother of four ~~~~ a militant cult member.

But it is true..................or it must be true because my Mothering style has been written in a book and my actions have labeled me a militant.

I'll bet you didn't even know there was such a thing. According to Peggy Robin in her book Bottlefeeding Without Guilt (now renamed When Breastfeeding is Not an Option) there is! If you're not sure about the status of your membership, consider these questions:

Do you nurse your babies past one year of age? [Yes]

Do you share your bed with your nursing baby? [Yes}

Do you believe that mothers and fathers have different roles to play in raising children? [Yes]

Do you believe that God provided women with breasts in order to feed their babies? [Yes, I believe breasts are for nursing first and foremost,,,what ever anyone else wants to with them other than that is fine by me]

Do you associate with other women who breastfeed their children or even--- gasp!---attend La Leche League meetings? [Yes, a former LLL leader here]

Do you sign your email messages with "Billy's mommy" or cutesy nicknames? [Yes,,,,usually sign it, Proud Momma to four amazing children]

This is an obvious sign that you are assuming a childlike, unquestioning, unintellectual role within the cult. [LOL!!!]

Do you follow the AAP guidelines of breastfeeding a baby exclusively for six months before introducing supplements or solids? (Presumably the AAP is part of the cult.) [Yes, and for those outside the U.S. the AAP is the American Academy of Pediatrics]

Do you believe that there are not only physical differences between men and women, but psychological and emotional differences as well? [Yes,,,and it is a delightful thing!]

Do you believe that motherhood is a noble calling and that mothers and babies belong together? Do you---gasp!---think that babies are better off if their mothers are home with them rather than pursuing careers? [Yes, I do]

Do you make your baby's food from wholesome, nourishing ingredients and avoid processed foods or additives? [Yes, I did,,,,and carry it over into their childhood/teen years]

Do you avoid pacifiers and artificial nipples? [Yes, but I have one thumb sucker]

"If you answered in the affirmative to any of these, let me warn you that Peggy Robin views these as characteristics of the militant cult lifestyle!"

Miss Rori,,,,,what a ray of sunshine you are! 

Bittersweet........I just love this picture,
a beautiful and pure Mothering moment,
but the sad part of this picture is that it
was taken on the day that my sister's milk
was coming in and sadly she had no
baby in her arms to nurse. To me
this picture evokes the joy of Motherhood.

Wake me Up.........

"Wake Me Up When September Ends"

My sister has been singing this song.......after the events of the last week. I have joined in the chorus, because this September has seemed to be one that has lost all of its innocence.

Tonight I took Otto to say good-bye to his dear friends mother. Maureen Infusino passed away on Monday, September 26, 2005, leaving her husband Wayne and precious son Daniel behind.

We stood in line at the funeral home, looking at the collages of pictures of Maureens life. How sad it was, but also how beautiful...to know that these images of her life, were the times she cherished.....her wedding day, the picture of her fully pregnant at her baby shower, her hand cradling her full womb of her precious boy to be.....of Daniel and his Mommy dressed in a Santa's suit in his Mommy's arms infront of the Christmas Tree........pictures, pieces of her life....captured to remember the joy,,,,to remember the precious moments of her life!

Otto was just a brave young man.....shaking Mr. Infusino's hand and telling him how sorry he was.

We then went to Daniels house and brought a big basket of muffins that Otto helped me bake all afternoon.

We talked, Otto and I........talking about the cycle of life.......that both birth and death are part of our journey,,,but what is truly important is the living inbetween.....of living your life to the fullest. Of being a friend.....Of reaching out and helping others.......Of being!

Childhood memories

Life has been in full swing around here.

I've been thinking about my own childhood memories, recalling moments that were important to me, or defining moments in my life, because each one of my children have been experiencing those kinds of moments in their lives.

It brings a big smile to my face as they excitedly share a special moment with me......I knowing that 10, 20, 30 years down the road, these moments will come back to them from time to time and they will be their special childhood memories.

Lets see, a list of firsts:

Katrina got her first official job!!! She is working at Melicks Orchard on the weekends. On the same day that she started her first official job, she got her drivers permit and took her first driving lesson...........for three hours my daughter was behind the wheel of a car, driving through Warren, Morris and Hunterdon County [want to talk about the excited conversations she shared that evening].

Sigh,,,,,,it was so wonderful watching her tell us all about her big day.

Greta started high school!! She also made JV Field Hockey as a freshman. She is taking a very difficult coarse load and is just bubbling from the great adventure of life that she is traveling.

Otto is in Mrs. Jordan's 4th grade class and is so very happy. He attended a Boy Scout camp this summer [Camp SouthHaven] upstate New York with his cousin Harry and Uncle Jeff. What an incredible experience he had. He and Harry earned some badges and he got his 'whittling' card [a big achievement in Otto's eyes....ours too!!!]

Emma Sage is just blossoming into an amazing little girl. She is talking up a storm, is fully aware and involved with everyone and everything around her. She has modeled again for Toys R Us ~ two times in the last two weeks [this girl is making big bucks!]. I think Emma Sages favorite memory of the summer of 2005 would be her first visit to Sesame Place where she got to dance and sing with Elmo!!!

Rick is traveling lots. Leaves today for Italy and I'm busy being a Momma, man life is good!

Oh my goodness, I can see!

I can't believe it, but I can see clearly now!

I just got contacts.......but this time the right contacts. Fifteen years ago I tried contacts, but with sensitive eyes and just not the right contacts for an astigmatism, I was turned off of contacts.

Glasses are not my thing. I have tried. They fall down and to tell you the truth, the results were not that great. [[I have since to find out that the distance between my eye and the glass lense still leaves distortion.

So right now I'm sitting here seeing things clearly for the first time,,,,and man does it feel great.

[Its weird though, I only have one contact. My right eye is 20/20...so all these years that poor eye was working real hard. My left eye, uncorrected is 20/400....and this evening with the contact in it was 20/25....man what a difference!]

I'm wondering why I took so long to take care of myself.

So here is looking at you kids! Mommy loves you all so very much [and now I can really see what you look like! lol...only kidding!]

Her First Goal.....

Well, actually, not her first goal, but her 1st offical goal in high school!

Yes, Miss Greta scored a goal [she had an assist in the last scrimmage] and last night playing at Pingry she had her First Offical High School Field Hockey Goal!

Now, this is not an amazing feat for a little speed daemon who has been playing field hockey since second grade,,,,,as she was the highest goal scorer on her middle school team, but still it marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

We are so proud of you Greta and we know that the goalies on oppossing teams are going to fear the thought of coming up against Voorhees High School Field Hockey team over the next four years!

Go Vikings!!!

On being a Momma......

Being a Momma is truly an amazing experience. So much so, that many, many books, movies and songs have been created because of the experience.

For me the journey of Motherhood has been truly an amazing experience that grows and changes daily. How could my heart love more than it loved yesterday? But it does.

Through my children I have learned so many things, been exposed to so many new experiences, and it continues....what an incredible continium.

One facet that I adore is watching my children find their way in this world. Developing their own likes and dislikes.

With Katrina, the journey at this point is so refreshing for the soul....as she is exploring and developing her own sense in what kind of music she likes [thank goodness she moved passed that 6th grade, follow the leader, OH NO, its RAP music phase].

A group that Katrina turned her Momma on to is called 311.

I highly recommend their album "Don't Tread On Me"

Thoughts....

I guess I have been not rambling too often lately. Actually I have, I just haven't had time to write them in my blog.

Hurrican Katrina has left me in a daze. I know, sounds so silly and lame, considering I'm safe and sound in my little hamlet of Califon, NJ......but still, I have been spending hours looking at photographs of the hurricane, its path, its destruction and the countless stories being sent around the world via photographs.

When I was a little girl, one of my most favorite things to do [besides reading] was looking at National Geographic because I just adore looking at pictures...pictures of real life,,,real weather, real animals, real people, real places [as opposed to the photographs generated on Madison Avenue].

So to my delight about a year ago I found a website called, Flickr, and have been spending my precious spare time looking at the world through many photographers eyes.

Here is a picture that I found to be so powerful from the Wrath of Katrina.

It is titled: Pass Christian House Before/After

Just amazing the force of wind and rain........and how truly vulernable life and property is to these forces of nature.

A Well Behaved Dog?!?

I think as a mother the one thing that you hope for, the one thing that you work so hard in instilling in your children is manners. You know, the Miss Manners, level of manners that always made Donna Reed smile so lovingly at her children when they displayed the optimal level of etiquette.

I always get compliments on my children's behavior…..have been for years and it always makes me smile to know that other people enjoy having my children around them. My kids are always being invited out and on trips and after these outings I always get calls asking me "How do you get them to be so polite and well-behaved?"

But today I got a phone call,,,,,,,from a woman I have known for a long time, calling me to tell me how wonderful my oldest daughter was at her beach house [Katrina had been invited to the shore with a friend and her family to stay at P’s house]. What a surprise to me for P to call me and tell me that she loved having Katrina and that she was just so polite, the only child who said please, thank you, may I be excused, and the only child to come in to see her at the end of the visit and give her a hug and a big thank you for having her stay with them…….and then the analogy that almost made me choke on my diet coke [with lime] "She was like a well trained dog!"

I almost died…..but it got me thinking…..have I drilled manners into my children to the point that they are like a show dog…knowing how to behave and perform?

I have, myself used the analogy of raising children and training dogs before…..by saying that they need loving guidance and gentle direction in a consistent manner to develop habits that are second nature to them.

So now I am thinking……How do I get my three Jack Russell Terriers to behave as well as my kids?

Zoro, my newest baby to mother.... 

Four Days Old.....How completely precious and new! 

The Rambling Mommy and her littest angel 

Pulling Your Hair Out....

I know where the term, 'Pulling Your Hair Out' came from. It came from a mother. It might have first be spoken, when your sweet little newborn accidently catches its precious wrinkly fingers in your long hair.....or it might have been coined when your spunky toddler purposefully pulls at your hair [even though you have it piled up on top of your head to avoid accidental pulls 'see you have learned this trick by now] while they are sitting purched on your back in a backpack while you try to get the dinner dishes done.....or it might have been first spoken when you are trying to get four kids, to four different activities, all within a 15 minute time frame from each other.

But as I think back to the origins of the term 'Pulling Your Hair Out' I realize that no matter when or where the words were first spoken, they are words that you cherish, because you know someday, someday too soon, there won't be any little fingers or too many activities to muss your hair.