I Freakin' LOVE This Picture! :)

Thanks, Aunt Karen for the feathers...
DIVALICIOUS!

It's That Time Again...

GoodNews! Today I met with my state case worker. I am officially still a Fairy Princess! We can all go back to our regularly scheduled lives...

Puppy Luv....

This is my favorite picture of Diva and I. It's so very... US!

I especially like the matching hot pink and the t-shirt that says: REBEL (it only counts if you get caught). I think that sums us up pretty accurately. Me & Diva... Two peas in a pod.

She really is my "kid" you know... Her personality is perfectly suited to mine. Her love of coffee just proves she's being brought up right! Buying Diva Starbucks was the smartest thing I've ever done. This little crazy girl has been my friend and companion. I can't imagine my life without her.

I've decided to celebrate Puppy Mother's Day. I'm declaring May 13th from now on to be a holiday. I may never be a Mom in the traditional sense. Most of you already know I'm ok with that. Yet I am a Mom to somebody. She's got four legs, and she worships the ground I roll on. :) So Happy Puppy Mother's Day to all my animal adoring "parents"!

Sigh....

There is nothing quite as sharp to the heart as Mother's Day without your Mother.... My Heart goes out to anyone who knows this particular ache...
As for the other "moms" in my life. The ladies who step in from time to time to fill that roll. I Love you. Thanks for all that you do!

Hello Dolly...

Last night I went downtown to the Chicago Theatre to see Dolly Parton. What an AMAZING show! I have seen her perform many times. I even sang with her myself once... It never gets old. She always delivers. The energy and heart Dolly brings to every performance makes her one of the greats. I loved the show. I feel connected to my childhood whenever she sings. I refer to her as a link to my "past life". I've been a devoted fan since the days before my Mother died. I've loved her since before the floor dropped out of my universe.

Over the last decade or so I have hardened. My heart has grown a bit calloused. I've changed, and evolved as I've faced difficult challenges and soul crushing loss. I can't help it. It's a survival method. I'm still fun, and loving, but there is a rough edge to my personality. I am relieved to see that when I'm lost in music, my heart is young again. Dolly's music is like an old friend. Visiting my old friend last night was great for my soul!

My Boyfriend....

Benjamin Batey Fradin is one year old today! I can't even tell you all how happy I am to say that out loud... There have been so many uphill battles in this little man's life. And yet here he is today. THRIVING! He simply blows my mind. Ben is a daily reminder for me that all things work together. My life has also been filled with uphill struggles, and God took the time to throw Mike, and Becca into my life. Way before Ben was a glimmer in their eyes, I knew that we were friends for a reason. And now my life experiences are serving as a touchstone for the Fradins. I'm so honored to know Ben. I'm lucky enough to call him Nephew... I can't wait to see where his journey takes him!

Happy Birthday Ben!

I Love you Oodles & Bunches!

Auntie Manders

HAMILTON

Ladies and Gentleman,

I have an announcement. I have a new love in my life. I could not be happier! Hamilton just might be the love of my life...

Ok, he's actually my Hamilton Beach coffee brew station. But I'm totally in love! After Mr. Coffee and I broke up so long ago, I never thought I'd find love again. :)

Thank you Heidi for introducing us! I can't wait for the three of us to spend some time together...

Dear Friends,

Thank you for remembering my BIRTHDAY! All of your warm wishes and loving words are stored away in my heart. I'm so blessed to have so many devoted people in my life. I know I'm going to make today special. I hope you do the same.

Love,

Mandy

Dear friend,

Two words that make me giggle...

Oil Puppets

Enough said. Have a great weekend!

Mandy (aka.Elizabeth)

Dear Friend,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

You don't look a day over 37...

Mandy

Dear Friend,

I'm so glad I know you. My world is ever so much brighter with you in it. Please remember you are vital to my existance. If you lose your hope call me. I'll help you find it again. Please don't ever make me feel the way She did. I can't live through that a second time. If you start to fall call me. I'll catch you. I'll remind you of the bigger picture. I'll remind you of the hole in my heart if you aren't there. I want to be there for you. I want to form an army of the walking wounded. So we're broken. SO WHAT?!? At least we're holding on.

Love you as tall as my heart!

Mand

Dear Friend,

Sometimes I'm not sure you like me. I know that you love me. We've been close for as long as I can remember. You knew me in my past life... Before pain, and death taught me to harden my heart. Do you like me now? I'm praying you do! Thank you for never giving up on me. I'm so glad to know that you will never let me go. Even when I'm hard, and cold, and evil. You see through all that and you stick around. That just blows my mind!

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You inspire me. To see your smiling face was the highlight of my week. I can't wait to see your story unfold. You make me hope for the future. The life we live is not for everyone, but so far we're thriving. I love you, and I'll always be there for you.

Manders

Dear Friend,

Today, I've got nothing deep or insightful. I love you. What could be more important than that?

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You are so brave! I know how hard it is for you to make changes. It takes a lot of strength to start fresh. I'm proud of you. You are on your way. Don't look at this place you are in as a failure. You are losing something, but gaining so much more. You are chosing you, and that makes me glad. I love you!

Mandy

Dear Friend,

You are the most beautiful person I've ever known! Mostly because you don't see it. I wish you could view yourself through my eyes. You would be amazed! Your smile warms my heart at it's absolute coldest. Your light can be seen for miles. You may never know how valued you are in my life. You've saved me on so many occasions, I've completely lost count. I know to you, you're a work in progress... but I wouldn't change a thing. You are perfect just as you are.

Love,

Mandy

Dear Friend,

It feels like forever since I've seen your face. I miss you. I wish I felt closer to you. Life is spinning so fast, and I've misplaced my compass. Are you happy? Are things the way you thought they would be? We always said we could tell each other anything. What happened there? I love you so much it barely fits in my chest! Please don't stay away so long again...

Mandy

A Letter a Day...

This April, I've decided to journal in a new way. I'm going to write a note once a day that is directed to someone specifically. A good way to begin pouring my heart out again...

EASTER...

So I know that as a Christian I'm supposed to be jazzed about the holiday, but to be honest, I'm just not there. I'm so thankful for my salvation, but the motions of the season feel kinda hollow... Today I'm praying that Jesus catches me off guard in the next few days. I'd like to be surprised by joy...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!