6.30.2011

Who is the Fairest One of All?



I have to say, I love my fair skin.

I wish people who had fair skin would just embrace it and love it. Unless you are naturally dark by the good graces of god, it is just better to let your skin be. If I could do away with self tanning cremes, lotions, sprays and  the like, I would. I won't go on about the fact that tanning salons make my stomach turn. But now that you mention it... I should just ask...Does the surgeon general have any warning signs on the doors of these places?  Why are we wanting to be something that represents unhealthy and dangerous skin? Sure, it may look good now, (and smoking made us look cool, right?) but regret is just waiting around the corner. And it comes in the form of aged wrinkled decolletes, sun spots and cancer.

When I was young and impressionable, I was ridiculed due to my fair skin. I would be in my swimming suit and other kids would say "Wow! Where are my sunglasses!?!"  It made me feel so ashamed of what I naturally was, I started insisting I wear no sun screen and instead, I would beg my mom to let me go tanning. Thank heavens for my Italian genes, I tanned quite nicely once I went into the sun unprotected, but now that makes me sad. I don't want to think of what damage those impressionable few years did to my skin.  Lucky when I was about eighteen, I snapped out of it and realized fair skin is beautiful. I get mad at myself as I think back to about the age of twelve when I became self conscious of my skin color. Why did I ever let other kids determine what was beautiful and acceptable on me?  I will have to pay for that in the form of  high end skin care products for the rest of my life.

My point? Protect yourself in the sun. If you are fair skinned, embrace it. Be happy you are taking good steps at looking great for all the years ahead. Afterall, your skin will be the first thing to show age. Being pale now is much better than being wrinkled and cancer stricken then. I promise.
Things That Make You Go ":)"

 


6.26.2011

6.25.2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT


Dear Garrett,

There is so much I want to tell you... Starting with how cool you are. You just are. Everything about you from your sense of style, your sense of humour to your interests and hobbies. Your witty comments always have us laughing and your smart comments always have us wondering. I love that you are a leader.  You are brave and smart and you always stand up for what is right. Even if it's not the "cool" thing to do. I can not. can not.  believe you are fifteen years old. Part of me is terrified and broken hearted you are getting so old, so fast...Afraid  I will lose you to girls, friends and adulthood...But part of me is so excited to see you reach your potential as you go through high school, your mission, college, etc. Your future is so bright. All the world is out there, just waiting for you to take your place in it...I hope it's ready for you.

Everytime I think back to when you were just a little boy, my favorite memory is our Thursday nights together. Daddy would be out and you and I would  just plan on that as our night. We always made cookies... And as we would take our first bites we would  say to eachother, "Are you ready for heaven?"  When I would make bread from the bread machine you would call it "mega bread" and although I don't know why you called it that, now everyone calls it that. Because of you, the entire Valerga family adds a "y" on the end of every word.... To this day, I will here Uncle Brandon say "Are we out of milky?"  I hear Aunt Jackie say "Ugh! I have to go to worky!" I hear myself saying "All I want is a nice hot bathy"... And of course, we can't forget the time Daddy went through the McDonalds drive thru and ordered "One ten piece of your chicky nuggies, please." Without realizing he even said it. 

Garrett, you changed not only mine and daddy's world, you turned every single member of our families lives  upside down and made this world a place where none of us ever wanted to know what it was like without you.  I love you so much. I am so proud to call myself your mom. Happy Birthday, Sweetie.
Tomorrow's Church Dress

Just One More Reason...


6.20.2011

Love This.



Be. Still. My. Heart.
 Bathroom Edition


There is only room for one bathroom in this post. This is too beautiful for any other bathroom to compete. My heart is beating just a little faster.




6.18.2011


Happy Father's Day!

To all the wonderful and amazing dads out there. Make sure you insist on the same special treatment that us mommies request. Breakfast in bed, french toast, fresh fruit, a clean house and best of all, for all the kids to get along and play make believe together.  Daddies make this world a much better place to live in.
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 To Tom who is the most amazing daddy,
 You are everything to our precious children. They would be lost in this world without you. Because of you, they get to explore the mountains, eat yummy dinners, go on the best adventures daily, have a love for reading and imagination, love to go all out on holidays, especially Halloween. They have the confidence to know that they are amazing children and no matter who they are or what they decide to be, you will support them. And best of all, they know their daddy loves them more than anything in this world.
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And To my dad,
You have the dryest humour, you listened to music other dads wouldn't have heard of, you have political views most people around here would frown upon and you do it all unapologetically and with such style. If I ever had a question on what was cool or acceptable, I trusted no one more than you. You truly are thee original hipster. Dad, you taught me so many things and showed me how to be the best kind of person. Your advice has been such a huge tool in my life, and I wouldn't be half the girl I am today without you being such a great example.
(And no one can do one liners like you can)

Love you dad!
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To the single best father in law a girl could ever ask for,
You are a so tough on the outside, but I have never met anyone who is as thoughtful, caring and as generous as you are.  You bend so far over backwards to make other people feel happy and safe. You say the funniest things and have to be the most capable man I know. You did an amazing job raising a son who is following right in your footsteps. I couldn't have asked for a better dad! 
We love you Paul.
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Tomorrow's Church Dress
Father's Day Edition

(I thought I'd wear something Tom would like.)


6.17.2011

Mary,Mary, Quite Contrary
How does your garden grow?

I am really loving the whole gardening modus operandi. I am so into everything about it, from selecting the plants to digging and playing in the man-dirt to just being out there watering it. And of course, The most rewarding part...Watching something you planted and care for grow into what it was meant to be...It's a lot like parenting, only the plants are less tempermental. 

Growing up, my dad always kept an immaculate yard. Although his love was more of a fruit tree and grass fancy, he was always outside doing something to perfect it. One of my very favorite childhood memories is playing in bare feet at dusk, while my dad took care of the garden. (Not to leave my mom out of this, she was probably in the kitchen making us the best meal ever) To this day, I love hearing the sounds of lawn mowers and edgers. I love the feel of sharply cut grass on my feet and I love laying on it, letting the grass poke at my knees. When I got a little older, all I wanted to do was use the lawn mower. My dad's answer was always the same..."Honey, why don't you go inside and see if your mother needs help." I would get so upset, I thought he didn't trust me with such an important job,  but I realize now, he just wanted to do it himself because he also found a therapuetic and joyful spirit being in the garden.   

Granted, I am no green thumb. Our garden is looking less than desirable right now...I have no idea what I am doing, I just see something pretty and I put it in the ground. Although I find myself removing and transplanting plants around the yard all day, (and I am quite confident it's driving my sweet husband nuts) I have to say I think it works out well for me. After all, I am just learning. My uber talented gardening sister, Mandy, has been trying to teach me there is more to gardening than just finding every plant species out there and buying it. She said "Lyndsey, You can love all kinds of plants, that doesn't mean they all go together...Eventually, you will have to say no to something." I get it, I have to pick and choose if I want things looking cohesive. I need to find things that will compliment each other through color, texture and size. She tries to liken it to interior design. Would I throw a hot pink crewel pillow in with a sleek red sofa and shantung green drapes? My answer? Of course I would... I think that sounds just lovely.
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I will eventually post pictures of the yard as it starts coming together, which mark my words...Will happen sooner or later. In the meantime I am loving just being out there, spending time with my little lovelies, encouraging their growth and tending to each one of their needs. I love them. I really do. Unfortunately, I don't love our grass as much...And you can tell. It's despondent and has been fighting for it's life. I'm blaming that one on the people we paid to lay it last year. They did a shite job. As we speak I am getting up the courage to ask Tom if we can get rid of it and just let me fill it in with some beautiful plants.


Here are some beautiful gardens that do not resemble mine in the least.

But one day...