Finally have a chance to breathe...

Doing work you love is hard, but when you love it as much as I do, it seems mostly effortless.  The only down side is that it takes up much of your time and life seems to fly by so very fast. Take for instance, my blog.  My diary to my family, today and tomorrow, and to the world (not that the whole world is interested, but that it is open to everyone in it who is curious enough to look)

 Summer is officially over, so there are a few things I want to jot down so I will not forget they ever happened.  This Summer, I had some changes in my life; one was to say good bye to my accompanist, Maddie, who went to Notre Dame University to bigger and better things than playing at our sweet little chapel in the woods....

(My apologies for the sideways movie clips, I just could not for the life of me, figure out how to change it.  If you know, you could leave me a comment or  link to see how! :) Thanks)

Here is one of our last pictures together.  She was a very, very sweet young lady, who did a great job providing music for our Masses every week. 

Another change in my life was that of work.  I am still dedicated to my wonderful Precious Metal position, but am beginning to feel a shift in the industry in the area of gold buying parties.  To create an excitement to my hostesses, I brought on It Works, Global on board as a sister business to create a stir, and it has.  I have been buying gold and silver and wrapping bodies all summer long. 

 

I have also cut 9 inches off my hair....

 

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Enjoyed the kids in Children's Day, VBS, and on Open Mic Night.....

 

Of course there was our annual trip to the Shore and Casino Pier, then we spent some time at Tabor Lake....

Other highlights include the Baptism of Sonny where we got to see some old friends....

and finally, the beginning of school to get things back into order....

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I am still singing weekly at Mass and a Funeral or 2 every month as well as Weddings now and again.  I had a special treat when I got to see my Catholic Elementary School Principal, Sr. Ascenza, who I love very much. It wasn't the best picture, but you can see how happy we are to see each other. :)

 

Overall, it was a great Summer and I am happy that fall is here to bring on new adventures in our loud, crazy life!

Loudly yours.

Alicia

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl...

Today is actually my Birthday, but I did not have time to write about my 1st baby Girl on her Birthday, so I am going to dedicate this blog entry to her.

My eldest Daughter was born to 3 older Brothers who fell in love with her and to parents who were very happy to have a girl. (Especially Mommy)

It was so much fun to dress her up and dream of shopping days and makeup sessions.  She was a good baby, but a screamer, since she did not speak until about 16 months old (in our immediate family, that is late, since we are mostly all loud)  Her first words?

"MINE!!!"  As my family members can attest, this little girl was a screamer! 

Funny thing is, she is on the quiet side now...and, oddly enough,
when she went to Pre-School, she did not speak to any adults, except the beloved Mrs. Burger. ;)

Now she is a growing, talented teenager with a beautiful voice and a very creative, lefty who has the world as her oyster.  We are proud of you!

Happy Birthday, you make us proud!

Loudly yours,

Alicia

Mother's Day recap 2012

Sore.  That is what I am the day after Mother's Day.  Why?  I spent it in the garden, ripping apart the front walkway flowerbeds.  I needed to get the beds weed free and ready to fight those weeds for the season.

It took me about 5 hours to finish.  I had some visitors who "helped" along the way and took some breaks with my awesome neighbors and my family, too.  

Mother's Day was busy in the morning, too as I sang at a Mass at 10:30 in a little Church about 10 minutes from my house, then a quick shot down a couple highways to my own Parish to sing there, too.

I love to sing, but I really wanted to be in the garden, digging in the dirt.  There is just something about getting into the soil that I just love.  

The funny thing is, I am not a fan of being dirty or smelling like dirt.  I am not even a fan of the way the kids smell after playing outside, especially in the dirt; but when I am in the dirt, I can't smell a thing.
My favorite thing to do every Mother's Day is to be given time, unhindered by disruption in the garden.  Yes, I am very sore from yesterday, but it is a happy sore.

And boy, do I still have a lot of work to do!!

Loudly yours,


Alicia

Good Friday

How do I express gratefulness to my Savior, who died on the cross to take away my sins? I do not believe there is anything so great that I could do to equate the great love shown by His sacrifice.  In the spirit of the little drummer boy, I offer this movie,  its author unknown. I first heard it sung by Mary Welch Rogers, from the Atlanta, Georgia area through my very good friend, Natalie, who used to attend church with Mary.  Natalie brought it to church about 14 years ago for me to sing it at the Living Stations of the Cross. I have been singing it every year ever since.  It is a truly moving song, that brings most to tears.  I am honored to share it every year and with you, here, today.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFyKvm8ZK8U]