My Moms Finale..I thought i posted it but guess i just saved it. She was the QUEEN!!

Well...Last night was my moms Finale. Her yearly Talent Show. Only this year, she was literally the QUEEN of the show. We first started the day by all going to have lunch. The weather here is getting HOT, and what was suppose to be a nice air conditioned resturaunt we thought we would be in, ended up being a SAUNA. So, we couldnt wait to get to the Hart High School Auditorium to be in a air conditioned building. Unfortunetly they are remodeling and the air was out in the theatre. Yes that is correct, a theatre filled with people showing off there talent and NOOOO AIR, or ventilation. That was horrible. But enough said about that.

The theme of this years show was Ports of Calls..Different Cruises. They traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Carribean, and back to New Orleans.

I am attaching clips of my moms dances from each Port of Call. They are each short but she had a great time up there. Of course, she was also the highlight of each dance.

HAWAII.......................................






My mom loves to dance and definetly you can tell in her performances. At the end of the show, they did a nice slide show for my mom, and all of us kids and grandkids were ALL there to celebrate with her. They invited our entire family up on stage and we were able to present her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and my sister Heidi said a few words basically thanking everyone for supporting my mom, and she thanked them for finally giving US our mom back after 32 years.

Moms Shining Moment!!!

I have been blessed to have amazing parents in my life. They have worked hard FOREVER it seems and have always managed to find ways to provide for me and my siblings growing up. Although my Dad's life on earth was cut short and he didn't get to live til he reached Retirement, my mom took the load and continued on her journey. I am so proud of my mom for all that she has accomplished throughout her career, and the sacrifices she made constantly for all of us in our family. It is with HONOR for me to share with everyone that my mom has finally reached the end of her working journey. She will be officially retired as of June 30th, 2010. Since my mom doesn't read my blogs she has no idea what I am putting here. I don't know if any of you are aware of what my mom has done for all these years. Growing up as a kid we lived in Santa Clarita, CA and my mom worked part time for many years at Newhall School District as a ESL Teacher and then assistant. Being that I am the youngest as I got into middle school she took on a 2nd job as a teachers aid at Hart High School. So in the morning she worked at the elementary school and in the afternoon they had a program for Troubled Teens at the High School. She worked hard til 6pm everyday. When we moved to Palmdale in 1988 she still continued to work both jobs, and had to learn to drive the commute everyday. My mom has driven what is typically a 35 minute drive, that takes her 1.5 hours Everyday for over 22years. When my dad passed away in 1998 she was given an opportunity to get a full time position as the attendance lady and translator at the elementary school. Which was a true blessing as all these years as she would put it she was SICK of those high school HEATHENS...lol So she has been working at the elementary school full time since 1999. Tomorrow the school is having a Retirement party for her. She is not much of a HUGE BANG party gal, so she told them she just wants a luncheon at the school. So since it is minimum day for the kids, the luncheon will be after.

One of my brothers high school friends happens to be the mayor of Santa Clarita and on the state counsel has known my mom as long as he can remember. When he found out she was retiring with the school district he decided he wanted to do something great for her. So as a surprise she has no idea that he will be presenting her with a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the State of California. She will be so shocked for that. A farewell tribute will be taking place as well next weekend at the end of the schools annual talent show. My mom will be happy to see that ALL of her kids and Grand kids will ALL be attending this year, even my brother from Robert from Las Vegas. Usually Michael and I are the family that goes. I will post pics of the talent show next weekend.

Sooo Cheers to you mom...Thanks for all your hard work for over 30 years!!! I love ya.

How to Make Compost

I found this very interesting...And am going to attempt to do this. Lets see how well I succeed. At first Michael was like, WE ARE NOT MAKING our own compost. You have to use your kitchen waste. But not according to these directions. So, I think I can manage to try this. Let me know if anyone else wants to try it out and lets see how well it goes.

http://www.ehow.com/how_3541_begin-compost-pile.html

Your Path.

“If You Are On Your Own Path Things Are Going To Come To You. Since It Is Your Own Path & No One Has Ever Been On It Before, there’s No Precedent, So Everything That Happens Is A Surprise & Is Timely.”


Joseph Campbell

Remembering a friend Andy Reed!

Sometimes things happen in life when we least expect it, or even if we suspect it is coming we are selfish and angry that it had to happen at that moment. I remember when I lost my Dad nearly 12 years ago. The feelings that I had. Very mixed emotions and so many questions as to why he had to go when he did, so young and without answers. I was very young to when he passed away. Some people in my life don't get it when they lose a loved one a Parent, Grandparent, or Friend how I can say I understand. But for the most part I do understand just I have my own ways since I have lost a Parent, Grandparent, and friends in time to. I have been blessed to be friends with The Reed family for many years. They welcomed me into there lives practically since the year I moved to Palmdale,CA back in 1988. This week Brother Andy Reed passed away in Las Vegas, NV. I am blessed to have called him my friend, somewhat at times like a Dad. He took me in as a member of that family. I was fortunate to spend MANY years of holidays with The Reeds and enjoyed every bit of it. Andy had a way about him, he was a man of wisdom, extreme knowledge, a heart of gold, and definitely knew almost everything about sports and Politics. We agreed on one thing for sure, we both enjoyed being Democrats. Every time I saw Andy he welcomed me always with his same greeting " ERIKA.....it is soooo good to see you...come here give me a hug." Who wouldn't love a guy like that. I have known for quite awhile that Andy's health had been declining. I was blessed to have had him at my wedding in September 2008 and he was able to meet my husband Michael.

MY WEDDING SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 Las Vegas, NV

After that my last visit with him was in April 2009 at the wedding of one of my other girlfriends Leslie Evans.

LESLIE EVANS WEDDING APRIL 2009 Agoura Hills, CA

Although again his health was down, I was still able to enjoy hanging out with Andy, having some good laughs and all of us going down memory lane. What an enjoyable day that was. I wanted to post this blog today to just share a bit of what joys it was for me to be able to call Andy my friend and be apart of his life. I look forward to continuing my on going friendship and relationship with The Reed family. I have had so many conversations with both Mary and Laura his daughters talking about what is easier in losing a Dad. Having them pass suddenly with no answers like my Dad did. Or seeing them sick and slowly declining in health. I don't think any are easy because no matter what the end result is our Dad's passed away, but I would say THE REED family has such STRENGTH because I think that seeing there Husband, Dad, PAPA declining physically may be worse. I know that Andy is resting now in peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I do believe GOD has a plan in store for all of us and that one day we will reunite again. To Virginia: You are one amazing Woman...You have such strength that I cannot even describe. You have been through so much and have given so much. ...A message from my mom if you ever need someone to talk to just give her a call. To Mary and Laura...throughout many of our conversations, i now say... if you guys ever need someone to talk to or just listen or just want to know if what you are feeling is normal I to am just a phone call away....And Dave....well I am sure if you want to talk you will do it by text message or a Facebook status but I to will be that Reply back to in a heartbeat..lol. Remember that the one thing we are all blessed with is memories in our hearts that no one can take away from us. So hang on to those Fun memories and be strong. God will keep your family at peace, and bless you all throughout the years to come. I love you guys very much!

Flag Football

So...most people know that I absolutely LOVE my youngest nephew Gavin. Not that I don't love all of my nieces and nephews but I have a particularly special bond with my nephew Gavin. I was fortunate to be able to see him the day he was born, and also take care of him as a baby. Had weekend slumber parties at Aunt Erika's house. Was BLESSED to have him as my ring bearer in my wedding also. I was very sad when I moved back to California that I would be leaving behind my wonderful "Munchie Munchie" which was my nickname for him. But I am fortunate to have pictures be sent to me on him growing. So my brother Robert signed Gavin up for a Flag Football team. Even though they lost there first game Gavin looked so proud and like he was having a blast. Had to share the pic.

"The Easter Lilies"

So....I was reading a story, and came across this interesting article that I wanted to share. Maybe you may find it interesting and informing as I did. Hope you enjoy.

The Easter Lily

Easter morn with lilies fair
Fills the church with perfumes rare,
As their clouds of incense rise,
Sweetest offerings to the skies.
Stately lilies pure and white
Flooding darkness with their light,
Bloom and sorrow drifts away,
On this holy hallow'd day.
Easter Lilies bending low
in the golden afterglow,
Bear a message from the sod
To the heavenly towers of God.
-Louise Lewin Matthews

The Easter Lily, also known by its Latin name Lilium longiflorum, has become the traditional Easter flower. With all the different flowers available in the spring garden, it is this beautiful, white flower, that has come to symbolize the spiritual values of Easter: purity, life and renewel. The flower's trumpet shape is a reminder of the heralding of Jesus, returning triumphant to Jerusalem.

The Easter Connection

According to Biblical scholars, the Easter Lily was found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas is said to have betrayed Jesus. Legend tells that white lilies miraculously sprung up from the ground where drops of Jesus' sweat and tears fell during his last hours.

The Easter Lily also has close associations with Jesus' mother, the Virgin Mary. In early religious paintings, the Archangel Gabriel is pictured extending a branch of white lilies to Mary, symbolizing that she had become the virgin mother to the savior.

Today, many churches use large bouquets of lilies to adorn their alters and crosses during the Easter season.