Beggars CAN be choosers

As I was walking to the T this morning, I saw an old man standing at a corner holding up a sign that read "Help." Beside him lay a rolled up dirty sleeping bag, soiled beyond its original white, and a box covered with plastic bags. I felt bad for him - an old man begging out in the cold - and decided to bring him back something to drink and eat. As I approached him with some hot cocoa and a coffee roll, he tried to avoid my gaze. "Would you like some hot cocoa and a fresh coffee roll, sir?" I asked, presenting him with the bag and cup. "I don't like coffee," he responded. "OK. But this is hot cocoa," I said as I handed him the cup. I reached into my pocket and handed him a dollar bill. He looked at me and said "Thank you."

As I walked away, the coffee roll tucked into my bag, I found myself amazed at the man's refusal of food. Here was a man - homeless, begging and, undoubtedly hungry - who would refuse food because it wasn't something he would prefer to eat. I would imagine that, if I were in his place, I would accept whatever anyone would give me to eat since I wouldn't be sure when I would get my next meal. Beggars, after all, can't be choosers, right? Apparently, not in his case.

I still want to help out the homeless whenever I can. I know that man had enough pride to say no to something he truly did not want. Maybe the next homeless person I offer a coffee roll to will gladly accept it.

Happy Holidays!

Makayla with Santa, December 2006: A mirror image of last year's photo.

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful, Healthy New Year!!

One of the reasons I fell in love with my husband

My husband and I were watching a plastic surgery show the other night and I confessed to him my secret desire to get a nose job. He turned to me, with an incredulous look on his face and said, "Are you kidding?" I told him how I have always thought my nose was a little wide or flat and, with the utmost sincerity, he exclaimed, "You don't need plastic surgery. Your face is perfect!"

I was taken aback at his reaction. My husband often calls me beautiful but the words just seem to fly over my head. But that reaction made me feel wonderful because it was unexpected and so sincere. He wasn't saying it to make me feel good or to give in to my neuroses. From the tone of his voice and the look on his face, I knew he meant every word of it. And I was reminded of one of the many reasons I fell in love with him: he thinks I'm beautiful and I feel beautiful whenever I am with him.

The funny things babies say: Overheard early one morning

Makayla: Inaudible.

Daddy: What was that?

Makayla: Let's fight.

Daddy: Let's fight? I don't want to fight. I love you.

Pictures

The view from my new office. In the background, you can see all the way to the Tobin Bridge.

Makayla sitting in mommy's chair.

Mommy and Makayla in Mommy's office.

The funny things babies say: Part IV

"Itchy boobies"

-Makayla as she scratchs her chest.

Hanging out with my girl

As a working mom, I cherish every moment I can spend with my daughter. I look forward to each Friday afternoon, knowing that I will be spending the next, two full days with my girl. So, when my employers told us that our office was closed from Wednesday to Friday (due to the unavailability of the new office space we are moving to), I was overjoyed.

The last two days of hanging out with my daughter have been wonderful. On Wednesday, we had to go to her pediatrician's office for her follow-up appointment for her urinary tract infection. I was so proud of my baby when she didn't cry or even wimper when they stuck her with a needle for some blood work. Afterwards, we went to a nearby mall, had breakfast and did a little shopping. For being such a good girl during her doctor's appointment, I bought her a Dora the Explorer doll, which she now carries around with her everywhere she goes, even to bed. After going home, we took a two-hour nap together then baked some gingerbread cookies. She had a blast using the cookie cutters and "decorating" (i.e. drenching) the cookies with icing.

Today, we played hide-and-seek and read some stories in the morning, then went to the park after her afternoon nap. After getting static shocks from the slides, we stopped for a snack and played peek-a-boo. The sound of her giggles just made my heart melt. After some Christmas shopping, we went home, had dinner, played some more peek-a-boo and tickle fights, a bath, then bedtime stories with Dora and her talking Winnie the Pooh doll. Now, my baby is asleep, tucked under her blankie with Dora and Pooh.

It's going to be snowing and freezing tomorrow, so we're probably just going to stay in. I know we're going to have a blast no matter what we do. And I know I will tuck these memories away in my heart, taking them out now and then to look at when I'm at work and when I need something to make my day a little bit more bearable.

The funny things babies say - Part III

Mom: I'm going potty, see?

Makayla: You go poo-poo?

Mom: No, I'm peeing.

Makayla: And you farted?