All About Da Powa... :)

"There is no problem that sisters cannot confront, combat, plot against, ignore, make fun of, drown in chocolate sauce, or run over with the car."  My goodness that makes me laugh out loud!

I have had the best, most amazing times with my sisters, a.k.a. DA POWA!  I can't say we've always been close, but we've "had each other's back".... most of the time.  We have laughed together more times that I can remember, and when I think of those times, I usually laugh out loud.

There was Missy's 40th birthday party... when we hired a clown to do magic tricks, make balloon animals and dress her up in the most outlandish clothes we could find between Mississippi & Texas!  As a final touch, he turned her around to face him and had her put on a blonde wig and sunglasses.  When she turned around, there we were... the other three crazy sisters, wearing blonde wigs and sunglasses.  It was hilarious!  Ok... I know you're all thinking it was probably one of those "had to be there" moments.  But it's one of the nights when laughter was plentiful, and silliness abounded in mounds and mounds.

And then there was Cathy's 50th birthday weekend.  All she wanted for her birthday was to spend time with her sisters.  We gave her that, but we did even better!  We took her to stay in a "haunted brothel" in the stockyards of Fort Worth, out to eat at the fanciest restaurant in the DFW area, and completely surprised her with tickets to see her very favorite singer, Wynonna Judd.  She hadn't toured in years, and you wouldn't believe how hard it was to convince her to do a concert in the stockyards on Cathy's birthday weekend!  I kid, of course... it was just a happy coincidence!  But boy oh boy... was she surprised!  We also all got matching tattoos that weekend... some of us quite reluctantly.  I blame it on peer pressure... more specifically sister guilt-trip pressure.  But I now have a tattoo... all matchy matchy with my three sisters.  Good times!  Yeah...there's more... but... well... it's probably better to keep some sister secrets!  

Of course, we've endured sadness together too.  We've lost friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents... and our Dad.  Losing a parent isn't easy.  But God, and our Dad, gave us a great gift on that day.  I can't explain it... it was definitely a "had to be there" moment.  It was a gift of closure and peace.  A sweet and precious goodbye.

My sisters are my best friends.  We currently live in three different states... but distance doesn't really separate you from those you love.  It makes the times we get to spend together more precious and special.

Enjoy a little trip through time with Da Powa through Da Years:

Sisters... quite a few years ago...

Sisters... a few years later

Sisters... Just a few years ago...

Sister Silliness... 

Ahhh... the memories.  We've gone through many changes over the years... we've had long hair, and short hair, gained pounds, lost pounds, rocked our babies to sleep, and sent them out into the world as adults, had times of incredible happiness, and times of great turmoil.  But still we remain best friends.  In the words of my sister, Sheila:  "We are who we are, because we were who we were."  Indeed... Yes indeed!  I love you, my sisters... and I miss you... and I can't wait until the next time we're together for some of those good ole, laugh 'til your face hurts good times! 

Happy Day!

Liz

Smile... :)

"Smile five times a day for no good reason."  I love that quote!  Smiling actually produces a biological effect, sending chemicals racing around your body and lifting your spirits! Try this today, and every day this week...smile five times a day for no good reason. Watch your mood change, even though nothing in your exterior has shifted.  Smile while you're standing in the shower, sitting in traffic, walking down the street, working at your desk, cooking dinner, or anytime! For absolutely no reason at all, just break into a smile!  It's an instant facelift!!

Here are some of my favorite reasons to smile:

Ah yes... I'm smiling.  :)

In the words of my mother... "If you see someone today who isn't wearing a smile, give them one of yours... you'll both feel better!"  Thanks Mom!  

Happy Day!

Liz

God Moments

Don't you love all the little unexpected "God moments" that happen throughout your day?  You know... like the one captured in the photograph below.  I had a big decision to make, and it seemed that I couldn't see through the clouds that had overtaken my mind.  I couldn't recall when I had last seen the sun.  But as I was praying, while sitting on my favorite swing by the lake, I looked up just in time to see the clouds break, and feel a cool breeze blow through my hair.  Peace flooded my soul, and I took a deep cleansing breath.  A break in the clouds... nice!

Take a moment to enjoy the God moments intended just for you today.  Perhaps his voice is whispering on the breeze, or in the brilliance of today's sunset.  He's just waiting for you to lift up your eyes.

Happy Day!

Liz

  

Simple Pleasures - "Ode to Red Jello"

I probably shouldn't admit how much I love red jello.  There's no other dessert or snack food that comforts my soul quite like it.  It's fun to eat, with its wiggly, jiggly, fruity yumminess... and there's always room in the tummy for it, even after the most filling meal!   

When my children were younger, there was nearly always red jello in the refrigerator.  I was fine with them believing that I made it just for them, while the truth was, I made it because I loved it!  No worries...I shared it with them!!  But I, like a kid myself, was the one who continually opened the refrigerator and jiggled the bowl to see if it was ready to eat!  It was so exciting when it finally had just the right amount of wiggly-ness to scoop into a bowl!  And when those cute little jiggler trays came out... I was in jello-jiggler heaven!  At last...I could pick it up, hold it in my hand, and eat it like a cookie!!  Awe-some-ness!

When I managed a school cafeteria, where jello was served daily, I regularly set aside a bowl of the red variety for myself... made even yummier with that little teeny-tiny bit of whipped topping that cafeterias add to make it more appealing to children (or kids at heart, such as myself)!

Ah yes... I do love red jello... it's a bit of a lifelong adoration.  I suppose the yellow, orange, blue & green varieties are sorta, kinda ok... if you like those flavors.  But I prefer my jello to be red (strawberry first, cherry second)!

I don't keep it in the refrigerator as much these days.  Instead, I go the the chinese buffet to eat it!  They probably serve it because it's an inexpensive, easy "kid's dessert", but that's ok.  Since it's on nearly every chinese buffet I've ever been to, there must be others out there like me!  Frankly, I see a LOT of adults eating it... with their excited "I'm eating wiggly, jiggly jello" smiles!

"Ode to Red Jello".  

Red jello, Red jello... Oh!  How I love thee!

Red Jello, Red jello... I simply adore thee!

You call my name as you wiggle and jiggle,

And I dash to the fridge with an excited giggle!

You make me as happy as happy can be!

Together forever, red jello & me!

When I'm old and gray, wear dentures or have trouble eating solid food...just feed me red jello!  I'm sure to feel like a kid again!  Whatever your simple pleasures are, take time today to enjoy them!  Hmmm...I wonder if the jello is jiggly enough?   

Smile!  :)

Liz  

Memorable or Unforgettable?

Would you rather be memorable (worth remembering, notable, easily remembered) or unforgettable (impossible to forget, indelibly pressed on the memory)?  How about the life you lived, the witness you gave, and the legacy you left behind?  Which of those words would you prefer to describe you?  A few months ago, some friends and I had this discussion; I am not entirely sure we reached a foregone conclusion either way.

Winter Trees

I've known some pretty great people who are quite memorable.  The footprints they left behind, as they walked the path of life with me, made impressions that are worth remembering.  Their contributions to my life are notable, and easily remembered.  But I have to dig deep for the small details.  Does that lessen their impact on the person I am today?  Not in the least.  Their presence in my life was part of a specific season... a necessary time which served to prepare me for the frost of the approaching winter, the buds and new life of springtime, the brilliant sunny fun of summer, or the windy, leaf-dancing respite of fall.

Spring Blossoms

Those seasons are remembered with fondness... and sometimes sadness that they ended all too soon.  But God knows what He's doing, and I have to trust that He moves me through the seasons of my life, one into another, guided by His loving hand, keeping me ever aware of the special people He sent to help pave the way for the changes to come.  I suppose in the course of our lifetime, many seasons have not ended as we wish them to.  For this reason, always be sure that important words are never left unsaid.

Summer at the Lake

And then, there are the ones who are impossible to forget, whose impact on my life is indelibly pressed on my memory.  Among these are my family, and my closest, dearest friends.  Many unforgettable people have entered, and remain in my life, from every season.  We may go long periods of time without talking, then pick up the conversation as if there were no break at all.  Their advice, wisdom, love, support, and impact on my life will never be forgotten.  They are the ones who know me so well, that with one spoken (or written) word, they know what I'm thinking.  They know the "codes" in my Facebook statuses, and if I use one, my phone will soon ring with a check-in call.  They know when I need a hug, whether it be virtual or live and in person.  I can count on them to stand beside me, even if we don't always agree.  That's what makes them important to me.

Beautiful Fall

So... memorable or unforgettable?  Perhaps we will be both... memorable to some, unforgettable to others.  What's important, I believe, is that we remain aware that we are affecting the lives around us.  Our words and actions will leave an impression of some kind on somebody.  Our witness will be watched, scrutinized, and remembered... good or bad.  In the blink of an eye the frost may appear, the buds may begin to bloom, the sun may shine, or the time of respite may come, as the seasons change once again.  Forward... always forward.

Love to all!  And Happy Season to you... wherever you may be!!
Liz



  

Greetings from a Blogger Newbie

I'm new at this whole blogging thing, but was looking for an outlet to work on my creative writing skills, so here I am.   The design of the site is still a work in progress, and the look is likely to change a few times before I'm satisfied that it's just the way I want it.  So, bear with me, if you will... :)


The name (Mimi's Tulip Tea)?  Well, my grandchildren call me Mimi, Tulips are my VERY favorite flower, and I used to collect all things "tea".  I say that I used to collect, because during the preparation for my latest new beginning, I gave all those things away.  Actually, I gave everything away... but that story will be told another day.  So, while trying to come up with a different and unusual name, as recommended by the blogging pros, I made a list of a few of my favorite things and tried various combinations.  For some reason, this particular combination sounded just right.  And so it is. 


Before I share stories, I thought I would start with a favorite hobby of mine... nature photography.  I'm not a pro, and I don't own a fancy camera (anymore), but I enjoy it and it helps me to re-focus and relax.  

Here are a few photos from my most recent outing:

There's just something spectacular about springtime... as buds appear and begin to open to new life.  No matter how long, cold and dark the winter has been, Spring is sure to follow.  Take some time today to enjoy the beauty around you... and perhaps even consider your own new beginning.  After all, if you woke up breathing, you were granted another chance!  Take it!  

Love wholeheartedly.  Hug tightly.  Forgive quickly & completely.  Make memories.  Don't leave important words unsaid.  

And, eat red jello as often as you can!  :)

Happy Day!

Liz