Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Happy Birthday, Happy Honeymooning, Happy Hodgepodge

Happy birthday to my older  sister today. 
Happy birthday to our nation tomorrow. 
Happy birthday to my dear friend Bonnie the day after tomorrow. 

Happy birthday to anyone in the Hodgepodge Lodge today. If you're among them, please let me know! I will personally come wish you--via blog comment, of course!--the best on your big day. 





1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list? 

Hold my new niece, on or about August 10th, when she is due.


Although the baby will be small (as all babies are in comparison to, well, larger human beings), the pleasure will be great. And while the baby is small and the pleasure great, a baby is not simple, but rather very complex.  Ah, the mystery and wonder and beauty of God's handiwork once again.

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.

Yes, I sure do have strong feelings, not so much on the debate as on the whole issue of immigration. I have no problem with legal immigration.  After all, what American (besides Native Americans) would be here had it not been for someone in their lineage doing the immigration thing? But by all means, I say if you're born on the other side of the hoop and you want to enjoy all the privileges of living on this side of the hoop, then you gotta jump through the Immigration Hoop.


Is it easy? Why, no, of course not. Most things worth having aren't easy.

My "beef" is with illegals who live and work here tax-free.  It's with illegals getting a free college education while our kids have not had a single break financially to earn their degrees. It's with the culture putting Spanish on every sign, in every phone message, on every package , making English hard to find for the rest of us. I wouldn't move to Italy expecting not to learn Italian or abide by her laws or pay her taxes. I think the root of what I despise, is this feeling of entitlement that comes with being an American. That feeling that says, "In America I can do whatever I darn well please, and everyone should cater to me, no matter what paperwork I have or don't have to prove I belong here."

Grrr.

3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?


Beside the obvious flag on the porch, which I fly nearly every sunny day? Um, let's see, I have a child's painting of " A Starry Night" by Van Gogh.  I also have some vintage bicentennial fabric in my stash that's begging to be transformed into something adorable.

4.  Is your house set up for a party?

As in , this very moment decorated patriotically, perhaps? No. As in, big enough and presentable for company to come in and have  a good time? Yes. I have decorations at the ready in the dining room server.


I would love to have the kids over for a 4th of July  crab feast tomorrow, but feel like I need to walk delicately on the whole topic of How to Do Holidays  now that we are in-laws for the second time.  I am terrible at being rejected; what if I invited them but the daughters-in-law would rather spend time with their side of the family or with their hubby alone?  Does it stir conflict in their young marriages? What if they do want to come over and I haven't invited anyone?  On the other hand, I am proud of my sons whenever they have said things like, "Mom, we want to create some distance between us and you guys."  I swallow hard at first and then realize he is doing the "leaving and cleaving" diplomatically.


I think I need to read up on how to be a really good MIL.   Any advice from you experienced MILs out there?

5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?


NYC.  Tell me why I live four hours from it, yet have never seen Times Square, Central Park, Broadway or any other thing in the Big Apple? It's baffling, I say. Baffling!

6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?

A Maryland blue crab, which turns red when steamed, and has juicy white meat inside.  How's that for an all-in-one favorite red, white, and blue food?


7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?

Speech. Because I'm fond of speaking.      Most of the other freedoms that I can think of would be compromised or removed if freedom of speech were taken away.



8.  Insert your own random thought here.


My son and his wife just got back from their honeymoon on Saturday. I waited till I heard from one of them before touching base. After Steve texted with a gift-related question, I felt the freedom of speech to call Ambrey. I  left a message:  "Hello, Mrs. Zubrowski. How do you like being called that?"  She texted me back later. "Haha. I love being called by my new name! It's so exciting!"    


Well, here they are, the new Mr. and Mrs.  


(His Facebook status on this picture said, "Can you tell I'm in love with my wife?")







Would you like to see a few hundred more photos?  Check back soon. I'm still editing.  (A small, simple pleasure, but time-consuming, considering I have some 814 to go through, more or less.)


 

14 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you so much on the information. I will check that out. Seems strange to have those systems from the gallbladder! No I seldom take pain relievers, only the last few weeks.

A new baby, that will be the best pleasure ever! Happy Birthday to your sister. You know my daughter didn't have insurance and had a huge hospital bill while every illegal in the ER that night went scott free!!! Makes me angry. YOU HAVE GOT TO GET TO THE CITY. I can't believe you haven't been. Congratulations to your son and his wife. Sweet couple.

Unknown said...

Oh, how I love new babies!!! And um, yeah... GET THEE TO THE CITY! 4 hours away? Do it! Life is short! Carpe' New York City! :-) (Can you tell I've now had sleep and coffee?) ;-) As for being an awesome MIL - I can only give advice from MY MIL, who is awesome... be respectful of your DIL's families, ask your DIL about them, have joint gatherings if possible, and respect that your son is trying to get to know his wife's family just as she is getting to know yours. My MIL has been a wonderful support to us, and has always been grateful for the times we DID have together rather than being grumpy about the times we didn't (something my mother has had a very hard time with). So invite your family over, let them know that you want them, but respect them if they have other plans! (and I'm so sorry for rambling on and on!) have a good Fourth!

Mary said...

What a beautiful couple!
I just commented on a post that mentioned Nashville, and, even though it's only 3 hours from me, I've never been there as an adult. I went on school trips, but I don't even remember those!

Nonnie said...

Awwww. I love babies and love weddings. You get to experience them both in one summer!
Your answers are great! And I can tell by your sensitivity to the subject of your dil and your call to her that you will do just fine.
Our son and dil had a premature baby almost 5 years ago, and it has taken them almost that long to pay off the medical bills, but they did it.
NYC wasn't a place I ever would have chosen to visit, but I had a nephew at West Point, so we went to NY several times. I enjoyed it every time and think you should give in and go.

Jill said...

Congratulations to the newlyweds and great answer to the colored food question!

I've been a mil for two years, and my dil makes it so easy! I got to be mother of the bride last month--my one shot at it. : )

Theresa said...

Yes, you can tell they are in love! Beautiful!

Kathy said...

I loved (and agree with) your thoughts on the immigration debate.

You don't have much longer to wait for that simple pleasure :)

Joyce said...

Crabs! Why didn't I think of that? Definitely my number one favorite food . I hear ya on the tuition! Happy 4th!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Well, I didn't know that about crabs, how interesting! Love learning something new!

As to being a MIL.....if you have/had a good relationship with your MIL, then model that. If not, well.........I am beyond blessed with my DIL, she is tops and thinks I am too. We are very honest with each other and I think that's one of the reasons our relationship is what it is.

Happy celebration tomorrow on however you decide to celebrate!

Zoanna said...

Lea, I have never had a MIL. She died three weeks before our wedding. So far so good with my DILs, but i am not privy to everything they say about me!

Beth Zimmerman said...

Can I tell you something (hopefully without injuring your creative muse)? White text on a dark background literally hurts my eyes. I read about the baby and admired the bride and groom but otherwise I had to skip this. =(

Zoanna said...

Beth, my creative muse was not injured in the least by your comment. I am about to change the entire template. In fact, I'm thinking about making the switch to Wordpress, but am intimidated by techie things. Look soon for a new layout with a light background and black words.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Oh good! =) I just helped a friend relocate to Wordpress (self-hosted). Let me know if I can help you!

Hootin Anni said...

Awwwwww, the couple is so precious and dear.

And, I love your thoughts on the immigration question. Well thought of, and very well composed.

Sorry it's taken me a while to get back here to visit with you after you left me a comment Wednesday.

Holiday and then computer problems today.

Have a great weekend.