40 Weeks

I laid in bed  last night thinking about Kim and the soon to be arrival of  the baby. 40 weeks has finally arrived and it seems that the baby is not  quite ready to come out and face the world.  Alot has been going through my mind about how Kim's labour will  be. She said something very profound to me a few weeks ago....something that I  support and truly believe in as I  use the same thinking in facing life's challenges.

We were talking about labour  and how my labour was when I was  giving birth to  Kim. Kim said that she would  have a natural  birth with no meds. She said she had  passed through the worst pain in her  life so this was going to be easy. I was so proud to hear those words from her  as  I have adopted that thinking after loosing my job after 28  years of service back in 2009.  A sudden homicide of a loved one is the worst thing anyone could go through, so whatever happens  later in life that seems dramatic, for me  can be dealt with much easier. I passed a colonoscopy a few years ago with no meds. The doctor  kept on offering and I kept on refusing. I said to him and the nurses that  I had already passed the worst pain in my life so this would be peanuts as compared to the pain Kelly-Anne had suffered.

Jules and I both faced job losses and we both continued to forge forward. Yes I did find my  dream job and Jules continues with much  gusto even with  doors closing in front of him. He is so resilient.

I know this week will be a life changing week for our family especially for Kim and her boyfriend. A new life filled with adventures, joys, tears....motherhood and fatherhood.

As we approach  Passover and Easter, I find it fitting that new life in our family happens this week. Irony.........or maybe Kelly-Anne again is using her angel powers.

Blessings to all of you !

The Page Project

The pages of our life tell the story of how we would like to be remembered. After much soul searching, I finally came  up with an idea of what I  could do for my new granddaughter. I wanted her to have something that would last forever, something that she could use and  bring to life which would  fill her with  fond memories and allow her to continue our legacy even after I leave this  world.

Because I have a love of cooking, I decided to create a  scrapbook of recipes  old and new. Recipes that  go back to when Kelly-Anne and Kim were little girls. I have divided the book into many sections and have  joyfully created interesting projects  with colorful pictures such as a little girl's tea party that she could do at some point. There is a section on our Lebanese heritage including Kim's favorite Lebanese  dish...kibbe balls ! There is also a roast beef recipe that Kell loved. She could  cook up a storm. Kim, since being away has  become very creative in her cooking style. She has sent me many pictures of her beautiful platters, especially her appetizers.

Cooking with children has to one of the most fun things to do. I know that Kim will take the time with her daughter  to teach her the many techniques that she  has.  Creating this book has brought my emotions to the surface. Looking back at some of my hand written recipes which are included in the the  book, remind me of the style of cooking and fun recipes that the  girls looked forward  to. One thing for sure, I never had a problem getting the girls to try something different....they may of not particularly enjoyed  the meal, but at least they gave it a shot. I hope my granddaughter grows  up with an apprecitation and a curiosity for food.  

The book is not yet completed. I don't think baby will be needed it any time soon.......the Page Project is a work in progress with an abundance of love poured into it.