A Little Reminiscing! Does Time Heal or Not?

 DOROTHY V. NESBITT JONES
March 26, 1932-October 27, 2013 
 

 

Dates are just Dates....Or are they?

Our family has never been the type to get consumed with Birthdays, Anniversaries or Holidays that insisted that we celebrate when perhaps we just didn't want to.  We are not driven by marketing ploys that insist we eat out to celebrate our love on Valentines or a chunk of jewelry that we may or may not need. 

Today is a bit different.  It marks 365 days that our family, like so many, struggled to get out of bed because the very heart of our soul was chosen to move amongst the angels.  Dorothy, Mother, Dotty, Mama or whatever you choose to call her left us this day a long, long year ago.  We are not bitter or mad and we are not unraveling at the seams each day but darn is it painful.

They say that time heals and I believe that wholeheartedly. I often thought that when one played the "Time Heals" trump is was from a loss of words or a shallowness of what in fact one goes through in tragedy.  Wisdom tells us that simply is not true.  "Time Does Heal"  It is God's way of inching you through the ups and downs of his never ending trials. It is not to be confused with forgetting, as forgetting would rob us from the experiences that made us who we are today and who we may become tomorrow.

So to our Dear Dot.  We are doing better each day.  I think!!!!  If someone asked me what I missed most I would say the laughter, the humor and the unconditional love that you splattered across this earth.  Doing wrong or making bad decisions was never a prerequisite for permanent disapproval in your heart.  It was the very thing that made you strive and love a little harder.  It is who you were and it is who I strive to be each and everyday.   You use to gut laugh at my ridiculous and unrealistic bucket list-few things have been removed since you left. Some new things will be added/deleted, but one thing remains the same. In capital letters "Being with my Dot Again" I suppose it will be deleted when the Big Man above decides to scratch it off. Until then it remains in no certain order on my Bucket list. When life throws me lemons that thought alone puts me right back on my feet to making lemonade. We miss and love you mama.   People tell me often "you have become Dorothy Junior and I reply "AMEN"!!!!!

Moon Back Dotty!

P.S-your husband is doing everything you said he would and then some. And oh my goodness he misses you in the most painful way.  Keeping us entertained daily with his jokes, obsessing, but mostly just being an awesome dad-Nothing new!!!!   And Hush Puppy-let's just say he is the perfection you already knew and he feels your arms around him each and everyday.  Just how hard does he make you laugh up there?  Stay tuned for Halloween-He is Batman on Thursday, Superman on Friday morning and Ninja Turtle Halloween Night.  You told us to spoil him!

 

SUPER BOWL AND SUPER DADDY!

IT'S  A LOT MORE THAN JUST SUPER BOWL DAY!

IT'S SUPER DADDY DAY!

HAPPY 82ND TO PAW PAW PETE.

FEBRUARY 5, 2012

I know everyone thinks their daddy is the best in the world but mine really is. If I searched the world over I could not find a better man on this earth. As presumptuous as that may sound I am certain all of you who know him will agree. So with that being said,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

YOU ARE SO LOVED!


In addition-Happy Super Bowl Day!
For those looking for a last minute recipe just scroll down to my last blog.

AND GO GIANTS!

SUPER BOWL

"Oh, When the Saints go................................oh well so we won't go marching in. But we sure had fun trying. Not the end of the world since I do love the Giants so all is well and still looking forward to the game. I sooooo hope they win. 

The 46th Super Bowl will take place on February 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 ET on NBC. 

I found these recipes on Pinterest of course. This is a guy from Canada named Kevin. He has got some great recipes and a really neat blog site. All I need is one more blog site to sink my teeth in. But check out this Pizza Dip recipe. I, myself will be taking this to a Super Bowl Party on Sunday

                                       

http://www.closetcooking.com/

Pizza Dip

A layered, hot cheesy dip with all of the great pizza flavors including pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, olives and green peppers. Can add anything really that you normally add to your pizza.

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
• 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 ounces pepperoni, sliced
• 2 tablespoons green pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons black olives, sliced
• mushrooms

Directions

1. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream mayonnaise, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano and spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
2. Spread the pizza sauce on top and sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, green pepper and olives.
3. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheese has melted, bubbling and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

This next recipe also came from http://www.closetcooking.com/

He has plenty of good recipes..

           

Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip
http://www.closetcooking.com/

A hot cheesy baked dip with all of the flavours of a bacon double cheese burger that makes for some great game day snacking!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 6 strips bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon ketchup

Directions

1. Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, set it aside and drain the grease from the pan.
2. Cook the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6-10 minutes, set aside and drain all but a tablespoon of the grease.
3. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Mix the ground beef, bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar, worcestershire sauce and ketchup and pour it into a baking dish.
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the top starts turning a light golden brown and then sides are bubbling, about 20-30 minutes.

Drink Ideas

Clinton Kelly's Super Bowl® Punch

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Superbowl-Clinton-Kelly-Super-Bowl-Punch

Red one in the back

Ingredients

• 1 cup Vodka
• 1 cup Tequila
• 1 cup Rum
• 1 cup Gin
• 1 cup Triple sec
• 1 cup Fresh lime juice
• 2 cups Cranberry juice
• 4 1/4 cups Ginger ale
• 2 cups Blueberries
• 2 cups Sliced strawberries

Yea, you guessed it!

Long Island Ice Tea

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz tequila
• 1 oz sour mix
• cola
• lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the spirits and sour mix into a collins glass with ice.
2. Stir well or shake.
3. Top the glass off with cola.
4. Garnish with the lemon wedge.

Manhattan

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish – Maraschino Cherry

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Variations:
Dry Manhattan: substitute dry vermouth and an olive garnish
Perfect Manhattan – use half dry vermouth and half sweet vermouth and garnish with a lemon twist

Refresh-I posted these last years. So darn cute!

HAPPY SUPER BOWL!

FD HIDDEN DIV

MARDI GRAS AND A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT.....

Just about the time we finally get our Christmas decor put away "BAM" it's Mardi Gras.  This year it really snuck up on me.  Check out the schedule.  This is a list of all the parades and dates.  Great web site to bookmark.  Bottom Line-Mardi Gras Day is in 24 Days/5Hours/38minutes minus about an hour with the time that it will take me to finsh this blog.  But that's just Mardi Gras Day.  Folks, the festivities have long started.

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/

I decided to step up the plate this year with my Mardi Gras decorations. I was feeling pretty energetic and festive so it was off to Hobby Lobby and Gordon's to add to my purple, green and gold ensembles.  I had just about secured all my props so I went into full decorating mode only to be abruptly stopped in my tracks.  And I do mean tracks.  You see I decided to swap out the Christmas lights in the flower bed with some Mardi Gras lights.  I delicately draped them through the flower beds and proudly plugged them in for their big debut.  As night sets in so does my daughter. She was returning from a trip to North Carolina/South Carolina, Georgia and anywhere else she could find in between. After a quick reload we walk her out to the car to see her off to school.  After a quick hug and a wave off she went.  So I Thought.  As she is rolling out of the driveway I hear her yell "MOM" from her car window.  "The Mardi Gras lights don't look good. " You can't really see them" "You need to move them up higher".  Well okay!  A quick step into the flower bed followed by a slow reversal out landed me straight into the St Tammany Emergency Room.  Imagine that!  You know when the security guard knows you by first name there is a problem.  Five hours later (and that's a record my friends) I am sent home with a brand new black boot that the kardashian
sisters would be envious of.

Most recent picture with the swelling somewhat down,

Blah, Blah, Blah. 

Bottom Line is I have an avulsion fracture that entails three weeks of non-weight bearing activity and an elevated cankle.  Yep, that's where you come in (ALL 16 OF YOU) that follow my little blog, which by the way I now consider a medical journal. You see I didn't lose my typing privileges so your ----- out of luck.   SERIOUSLY!

But enough of that-I want to share a couple of things that I have run into in my bored quest to amuse myself.

I think the best kept secret is finally out.

PINTEREST

 http://pinterest.com/

   I have been pinning for sometime now and I am still in awe over the creativity that so many people have shared. WHO KNEW?  It really is the coolest web site I have ever seen and has something for everyone.  I have even started seeing men Re pinning.  The recipes are incredible.  Here is one that I recently tried however I used my own version. Basically I cheated!

King Cake Cupcakes 

2 cans of Cinnamon Rolls

Brown Sugar

Cream Cheese

Almond Extract

Place a Cinnamon Roll in a cupcake liner.  Press a hole into the middle.

Combine about 1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 package cream cheese and one little dash of Almond extract.  Mix and then fill each hole in cinnamon roll.  Ice top of cupcake with glaze that comes with Cinnamon rolls and cook according to instructions  I like mine sort of undercooked.

Sprinkle with yellow, green and purple sugar or anything Mardi Gra-ish.

That simple!

Here are a couple of more cute ideas I found here and there.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90461779/set-of-two-mardi-gras-wreaths-carnival?ref=sr_gallery_32&sref=&ga_includes%5B0%5D=tags&ga_search_query=mardi+gras+wreath&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=


  This was on Etsy but is already sold.  But a cute idea!

Baby Tripp has the world hard at work bringing Awareness to EB.

And finally as we continue to mourn Baby Tripp I am still in amazement with all the people that are working tirelessly to help with EB Awareness. Check this one out. One of our very own here in the New Orleans is Scott Walker  He will be raising money for EB by running the Rock'n' Roll Half Marathon on March 4th.  Help him out if you can! 

Scott Walker

                     http://www.crowdrise.com/runningfortripp/fundraiser/scottwalker6
BENEFITING: Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America, Inc.
EVENT DATE: Mar 04, 2012
DEADLINE TO GIVE: Mar 04, 2012                                                                HERE'S THE STORY:
I'm running the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on March 4 in New Orleans in memory of Tripp Roth, to heighten EB awareness and to raise money for DebRA of America - the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association.
Please help bring me bring attention to this horrible disease.
Tripp was born May 14, 2009. He died on January 14, 2012.
Tripp, who lived with his mother in Ponchatoula, was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin caused painful blisters. Doctors said he wouldn't live to be a year old. He made it two-and-a-half years before losing his long, brave battle.
But the fight in his honor continues.

You can read more about Tripp's journey here: http://www.randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com.
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN MY TEAM (YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN) AND RAISE MONEY FOR EB AWARENESS, CAN EMAIL ME AT SCOTTWALKER@HEARST.COM

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

 A long week to say the least and without a doubt a "Sad" one. As the world knows our precious "Baby Tripp" passed away but not before completing his work here on earth. If you noticed I used the word "OUR" Baby.  That's because at some point that's what he became to so many very many. All because a mother so unselfishly reached out to the world to ask for our help and prayers.  I for one have never seen anything like it in my life.  His story has been so perfectly told and shared by his mommy Courtney and so many.  I am forever grateful to Courtney, Tripp and their family for making me a better person all from afar.  With that being said I would like to say 'THANK YOU" to those of you who helped me to help them. I know your kindness, generosity and prayer has moved mountains with this family as well as many others.  I have included the links to Courtney's blog for your continued prayer and support as well as the EB organization.  Continue to spread the word about this horrific disease as there are many others who continue to need our help.   

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

www.Debra.org

Rest in Peace little Angel

2012 A "Tripp" Inspired Resolution

Happy New Year to Everyone!

ELMO

Wow it has been a while since I posted my last blog but I'm back at it with a lot of catching up to do.  Prior to starting this blog I reviewed my January 2011 New Year's blog and literally busted out in laughter.  Those annual New Year's resolutions just don't come easy now do they? 

RECAP: http://mojonesaldridge.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year-everybody.html

I HAVE FOUND myself these last few days reflecting on the past year and making a game plan for the NEW YEAR. As the NEW YEAR arrived I like so many people, asked, WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO DIFFERENT? WHAT'S MY GOAL? The answers are usually very shallow having to do with one's physical aspects such as losing a few pounds, training for a race event or getting my teeth whitened. BLAH BLAH BLAH! This year I find myself on more of an emotional and spiritual conquest. In other words, I am so over it! Now, I know that a lot of this new found wisdom stems from the fact that I've been on this planet for almost 50 years and that life's little lessons certainly mold you into whoever it is that you are supposed to be. Some of it is in our control but so much more of it is not. I get that now, but what I don't often get is what to do with that information. So with that being said, my next series of blogs will be directed toward my attempt to better myself from an emotional and spiritual stand point. Going to be quite the challenge for someone as high strung and tunnel visioned as myself . BUT WHAT THE HECK? Sure, I am going to do my best with the physical care-taking issues, but my focus is to acquire a settled mind and to realize that I am not in control even on a good day. I can assure you that there have been more years than not that I didn't achieve my NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION'S but you gotta at least try. RIGHT? So, hoping you guys who have been following my blog for the last few months will join me in this adventure. Stay tuned for some comic relief and some topics that are sure to hit close to home. We're all in the same boat of LIFE with all its up and downs. LOVE TO EACH OF YOU and wishing you much success with whatever comes your way. OK, I confess I really do want to feel good in a bathing suit this spring, but only from a 50 year old perspective. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As history often repeats itself, I FAILED, miserably.  Well I sort of got a handle on the "I'm not in control" issue but not so much on the "acquire a settled mine".  I have now decided that the owners of settled minds are few and far between.  I know they exist but I think you could count those rare specimens on one hand.  At least that is what I believe.   Needless to say, I have no 2012 Resolutions.

Courtney and Tripp

 Okay well maybe I have one and it's a big one. You see at some point in the early months of 2011, I was blessed like so many with the opportunity of hearing about a special little boy who was and is struggling with a disease that most of us have never heard of.  It is a disease that is so brutal and painful that I still almost a year later have not been able to wrap my brain around.  Your probably asking "What does this have to do with your New Year's Blog?.  It has everything to do with it.  So many of you already know this story but if you don't I am going to provide you with a link to tune you in.  It is painful and very difficult and at the very least will change the entire course of your day but it will also open your hearts and just maybe widen ones level of compassion. 

BABY TRIPP and ELMO

His name is Tripp and he has captured the hearts of the world.  His mother Courtney has opened her heart by telling the most incredible story ever and educating each of us about a disease (Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa) that so many of us have never heard of.  She is without a doubt the strongest, most courageous individual that you will ever encounter.  Baby Tripp has spread a message that is just down right powerful on many levels.  

So with that being said, my New Year's resolution was a no-brainer.  More compassion, less self-pity................but most of all I have restored my faith in the lengths that some people will go to reach out and help someone.  I know they feel the love.

God Bless Baby Tripp, Courtney and family. I thank you for sharing such a painful yet beautiful experience.  You have inspired so many of us with your love and courage and for that I am thankful. 

WE LOVE YOU!

Courtney and Tripp's Blog Link

http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com/

EB AWARENESS WEBSITE
http://www.debra.org/

Tripp's Elmo Article-check out Courtney's blog for the song.
http://www.heraldguide.com/details_archive.php?id=9843

9/11 Irony of a Leaf

SWEET GUM LEAF

Please watch this video-It's really amazing.

Earrings, necklaces and pins have special significance, though, as they were molded using leaves from trees living within a 500 mile radius of Ground Zero; Sweet Gums will be among the species planted to surround the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and a portion of proceeds from the sale of this evocative and emotionally compelling line will go to the construction and maintenance of that all-important facility.

As usual we are sitting at home on a Friday night recovering from yet another orthopedic surgery, a very sore throat and a kidney infection.  To say the least I am having another pity party and feeling left out of life. Seriously, how lame and shallow of me.  Tonight as I started my usual channel surfing I ran into all of the 9/11 Specials.  I love Dateline and I love 20/20 however I deplore the doom that I feel after viewing each especially when your next and final event for the evening is attempting a good night sleep.  After a few moments of debating I decided that I just needed to get my big girl panties on and endure. 

Rewind with me for a moment.  Last January Fred and I took our first trip to New York City ever.  Fifty Years old and never been to New York.  Never really wanted to but boy had I missed out.  As it turns out I completely fell in love with a city that I had for years proclaimed I had nothing in common with. 

Now, I like the rest of the world watched in despair as the September 9/11 tragedy unfolded.  I cried, shook, felt sick and even questioned the man above. I know some of you will relate to this. As horrific as it was, it was far away and sometimes when it's not in your own backyard you just don't digest it and you just don't get the entire picture.  Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example.  It was in my backyard and as far as I was concerned in my little brain it was the only heart wrenching thing that was going on in this entire world.  I don't necessarily think these are two good comparisons but they were huge tragedies.  I just happened to be in the middle of one of them.

Moving forward....... during our visit to New York we visited Ground Zero.  As we approached the area I began my little 9/11 experience.  I was sad, mad and all the above but most of all as shallow as this sounds I was frozen not from shock but from the 17 degree weather not to mention the windchill. I was also agitated from the noise and all the construction and could not get in the groove of mourning for something that so deserved mourning.  Especially when you are standing in the smack middle of it. 

Somewhat disgusted with myself and my detached perspective I followed my husband into the 9/11 museum.  As he walked around educating himself with all the incredible pictures and props, I headed straight for the gift shop area.  There hanging right in front of me was a rack of shiny beautiful leaves with a leaflet hanging around it.  Silver, gold, brass colored.  The sky was the limit.  As I began to read the information I knew instantly that I had to have one for many reasons.  (A) it was beautiful (B) it had such history surrounding it (C) the money was going to a great cause.  Yet all I could think about was getting a cute cord to put on it to wear around my neck.  What a great conversation piece.

Your probably wondering about now what it was actually for.  Simple yet genius.  They (and I'm not sure who they is) decided to take some of the leaves off the trees that were still standing to make a template for these incredible pieces.  They then sold them to raise money to replace the trees upon completion of ground zero.  How could I not buy one?

Now here is the moral of the story-I packed it in my luggage and returned home.  I then placed it in my jewelry box and never looked back.  Last night as I am reliving this horrific tragedy via the TV. I remember the leaf.  What did I do with it?  Where is it? I jumped up, or in my condition right now, I  slowly maneuvered myself to the jewelry box.  There is was.  All shiny and just as beautiful as I had remembered.  I slowly picked it up and held it to my heart.  As the tears flowed I knew that after years and years of 9/11anniversaries and after unsuccessfully mourning even when I was standing on top of it I had finally put all the pieces together.  Don't get me wrong I knew it was special and like the rest of the world I tried to wrap my brain around it.  My heart just wouldn't let me. 

Sometimes we need a small token or some sort of visual to process something that we would prefer not to. This was mine!   I believe this is called compassion which is ironic in itself.  The one thing in life that I do have is an abundance of "Compassion" and the one thing that I often declare is wrong with this world is the lack of. So here I stood in total confusion.  It wasn't from the lack of trying rather then the ability to allow myself.  Compassion!  Stay tuned because that will be a blog in itself.

With that being said (and I weep as I type) my sincere compassion, my thoughts and prayers and any positive energy I have is directed to those who have lost, suffered and endured such pain.  I look forward to my next visit in warmer temperatures where I can really sink my teeth into an appropriate mourning and a celebration of all the progress that has been made to restore the devastation.  What a fabulous job this city has done to remember, to move forward and to maintain dignity.

And to think my $20.00 leaf may have helped.   God Bless New York!