Thanksgiving

When I was young, Thanksgiving dinner usually consisted of a mixture of traditional foods and the standard Cuban holiday cuisine. I am all about memories and traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving. These memories have imprinted on my heart and mind.

Every Thanksgiving, I watch as my Babe dances around the kitchen with grace. Looking part TV chef / part mad scientist as she mixes, tastes, concocts, and perfects our feast. My daughters occasionally make a guest appearance to lend a helping or not so helping hand, but it remains a sight I hold dear…my girls cutting, chopping, and laughing together. Tis life.

As our families and friends arrive our house transforms. There’s no longer one conversation going, but many going on all at once. We play the traditional Ambros family chess match of “we’ll talk louder so you can hear me over the TV, and I’ll turn up the TV because they’re talking too loud shouting circle.” Funny thing is, it’s always the same conversations. It’s not that we have nothing to talk about it’s just our thing/were we always end up. It’s an Ambros thing.

Sure we have added to our traditions with the invention of Rock Band and new family members, but it’s the gathering, the conversation between mother and daughter over chopped celery, the playing Monday morning quarterback while watching football, etc…that really make it special. The meal and the date on the calendar bring us together, but I cherish the fringes and all that comes out of the gathering and borders the day.

This is the way it must be. Don’t fret with world of differences, political views, arguments; rather cherish the time together and those mini moments that imprint on you forever.

Thanksgiving is not the meal…it’s the trimmings.

Happy Thanksgiving…make some good memories

 Home is something we’re building together.

 

A bridge isn't finsihed, ever

Helping your children with school work can at times be trying. As was our latest attempt with our middle-schooler.
Recently our 13 year old needed to construct a bridge for her science class. She brought home her so-called instructions and off we went into unknown territory. Supplies in hand I, I mean we...ahem, constructed the closest thing I could that resembled a bridge. Honestly it looked more like a strewn box of match sticks waiting for "Rain Man" to decipher. In any case she turned it in and it was returned with additional instructions. Once again I tuned into my inner Bob Villa and built a new bridge. This one I was proud of. Not only did I learn what had failed previously, but I really thought I had this bridge building down. However, my jubilation was brought down faster than a prom dress. Yes, there were more detailed instructions and as minuet as the corrections were, it was the difference between an A and an F. This morning I finished the bridge or so I hope. Following the instructions and specs, using all that I've learn in this process, I think I finally got it.
Every relationship is full of trial and error. Building trust, love, relationships with mutual friends, etc...helps bridge the gaps in a relationship. They add to the love a relationship already has and makes it that much stronger. But it doesn't come easy nor is the building ever over. Like all bridges, a good foundation is key along with the proper support from each other, family, and friends. Listen don't just hear each other and follow the specs (your heart). You may not get it right the first few times but you'll soon realize that the reward is in the building process, not the bridge itself. Enjoy the journey not the destination.
Willy

Will you take that leap?

Yesterday, on the last full day of our Thanksgiving vacation, we headed out to Seaworld in Orlando. The girls were excited, we were excited, but there was a bit of tension in the air...Manta was looming in our girl's minds.

See whenever we visit a theme park Babe or I usually have to sit out some rides because one child or another has reservations. In a way this cuts into "Family" fun together. Historically one of us waits with one child while the other rides with the other child. And while we never force the issue on truly fearful attractions, it's a downer when we know they would enjoy it if the just gave it a try.

So as we walked in to Seaworld and approached Manta we were again hearing the yeas and nays a kin to the NBA negotiations. This time however, and unlike the NBA commissioner, we laid down the law and stood in line with our girls. During our 40 minute wait in line we heard everything from "I don't want to go", to "We're gonna die". As we boarded I could see one of our kids take the roll of a safety inspector, checking out every nut and bolt. All through the ride, and between "woo hoos", I reassured our little one. Needless to say we survived, our little one in tears and the other wanting to ride again. However that soon changed. We left the park 7 hours and 3 Manta rides later. Yes you heard right. They both rode again and again; especially our little one who wanted to ride Manta at night. Who would have thought, besides Babe and I, that if they just gave it a try they would overcome their fears and have fun where they thought there was none. It was an awesome sight, an "awesomer" day.

True is the same in life. People fear things that are new/different, things that are beyond their comfort zones...not realizing their true happiness. I can say that had Babe and I took that approach we wouldn't be living the euphoric life we live together every day. Sure all things within reason, but not living in a bubble of fear that will leaving us saying "what if"?

Go out and live life to the fullest, try new foods, new things, new TV shows, meet new people...make new friends. You only have one life and it's yours. There are no do overs so live your life. Give it a try. Through it all there are twists, turns, and drops, but in the end life's a ride...TRY IT, ENJOY IT!!!

Willy

Me and my Babe

Your reasons are your Thanksgiving

Maybe the world's all war,
Maybe the peace is dead,
Maybe our wounds’ still sore,
Maybe our hands are red.

Maybe the earth is shaking,
Maybe the wind won’t stop,
Maybe the ice is baking,
Maybe there’s no more crop.

Maybe the banks are closing,
Maybe there’s no more work,
Maybe our homes are going,
Maybe your boss' a jerk.

Maybe they won’t stop crying,
Maybe the school wants out,
Maybe they’re just not listening,
Maybe the drugs won out.

When we all look around,
It’s hard to have any hope,
With all the things gone wrong,
It’s even harder to cope.

But as the world keeps turning,
As the sun shines on,
Much more has me grinning,
And makes my heart so warm.

So this time of year,
When you stop to think,
Remember all who are dear,
And give them all a wink.

For those are your reasons,
The air you breathe,
In each and every season,
They are all we need.

Happy Thanksgiving

Willy

Vampire or Mortal...Just Be YOU!!!

Ever since I can remember I have woken up early, maybe from the days in the Coast Guard...5 AM is the usual every day. It's just happens; no alarm, there's nothing that needs to get done at that time. Even on days where there's a reason to get up even earlier, my internal clock and brain somehow synchronize and I find myself waking up on time or just a few minutes earlier than the "just in case" alarm. I make the most of this time by ridding Babe and I of chores, reading, working out, or writing down my thoughts on this blog. ;)

Every morning is mostly the same ritual. I wake up, get out of bed, "water the plants", take my pills, grab my phone (etc.), and make my way out of the bedroom. All this under the cloak of darkness and silence. Like a ninja without a cloud of smoke, I usually accomplish this without a hitch. But on occasion my silence is for not and not just a little. See when I fail in my "radio silence "attempts ' I go all the way. I make sure I wake up the dead.

Just the other morning I awoke in the normal fashion, like a switch just turns on my mind. Oh, I forgot to mention, I rarely remember my dreams. I go to bed and everything shuts off then I get switched on. There's no in between. But as I was saying, I woke up and did my thing. In total darkness and silence I made my way around the master bedroom like a vampire hidden from the moonlight; invisible both visually and audibly. I didn't cast a shadow, my footsteps didn't make a sound, and I'm sure the mirror wouldn't show my reflection. Continuing in my Draculian ways I proceed to my night table to get my not so vampire-like iPhone, and there my mortality betrayed me. Stumbling as if mimicking a 16 year old boy on a first date I knocked over a glass of water, which I still almost caught (yes night vision), it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. My prey, I mean Babe, shot up out of bed wondering what had happened. I weaved my way around my broken pieces of failure to Babe's side of the bed and assured her it was nothing, all is good, kissed her, and told her to just go back to sleep...very much like my immortal counter-parts do. ;) I then went on and out into the dark house and began the day.

Sometimes being too careful, being too cautious lead to results you aren't looking for. Sure I think I leave my bedroom without making a sound, but there are plenty of times when I thought I escaped detection only to find out from Babe that the second I left I woke her up. Sometimes not being yourself will also result in undesired conclusions. Can you imagine living your life as someone else? Being someone you're not due to self-esteem or to please another? You got to be you. Sure there are situations where we have to play the game and appear more professional, for work for example, but I am talking about at home, with friends, with family. If for whatever imaginary reason you're wearing more than one mask in these situations you are not happy regardless of what you try to convince yourself of. Personally I like to have fun. I poke and prod in good fun and in jest. And while there are times I push a little more than most and bannish myself from the daylight, I see the cloves of garlic I have hung around people and situations, where I just won't go. Besides I've imprinted on Babe the only person who I am totally me with, forever till eternity. However, I see people every day who live a sham, who try to be someone they're not. I sense it. The key is realizing that happiness comes through in the form of acceptance. Accepting yourself for you, accepting others for who they are, and find the Bella or Edward who will accept you.

We are not immortals trapped in a soul cage in some undesired life, we do cast shadows, our noisy feet do leave imprints, and our mirrors do cast a reflection. We must let the shadows we cast not be of doubt, let others see and hear our foot prints, and most importantly look in the mirror and be that reflection

Be it Vampire or Mortal...Just be YOU

Ever since I can remember I have woken up early, maybe from the days in the Coast Guard...5 AM is the usual every day. It's just happens; no alarm, there's nothing that needs to get done at that time. Even on days where there's a reason to get up even earlier, my internal clock and brain somehow synchronize and I find myself waking up on time or just a few minutes earlier than the "just in case" alarm. I make the most of this time by ridding Babe and I of chores, reading, working out, or writing down my thoughts on this blog. ;)

Every morning is mostly the same ritual. I wake up, get out of bed, "water the plants", take my pills, grab my phone (etc.), and make my way out of the bedroom. All this under the cloak of darkness and silence. Like a ninja without a cloud of smoke, I usually accomplish this without a hitch. But on occasion my silence is for not and not just a little. See when I fail in my "radio silence "attempts ' I go all the way. I make sure I wake up the dead.

Just the other morning I awoke in the normal fashion, like a switch just turns on my mind. Oh, I forgot to mention, I rarely remember my dreams. I go to bed and everything shuts off then I get switched on. There's no in between. But as I was saying, I woke up and did my thing. In total darkness and silence I made my way around the master bedroom like a vampire hidden from the moonlight; invisible both visually and audibly. I didn't cast a shadow, my footsteps didn't make a sound, and I'm sure the mirror wouldn't show my reflection. Continuing in my Draculian ways I proceed to my night table to get my not so vampire-like iPhone, and there my mortality betrayed me. Stumbling as if mimicking a 16 year old boy on a first date I knocked over a glass of water, which I still almost caught (yes night vision), it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. My prey, I mean Babe, shot up out of bed wondering what had happened. I weaved my way around my broken pieces of failure to Babe's side of the bed and assured her it was nothing, all is good, kissed her, and told her to just go back to sleep...very much like my immortal counter-parts do. ;) I then went on and out into the dark house and began the day.

Sometimes being too careful, being too cautious lead to results you aren't looking for. Sure I think I leave my bedroom without making a sound, but there are plenty of times when I thought I escaped detection only to find out from Babe that the second I left I woke her up. Sometimes not being yourself will also result in undesired conclusions. Can you imagine living your life as someone else? Being someone you're not due to self-esteem or to please another? You got to be you. Sure there are situations where we have to play the game and appear more professional, for work for example, but I am talking about at home, with friends, with family. If for whatever imaginary reason you're wearing more than one mask in these situations you are not happy regardless of what you try to convince yourself of. Personally I like to have fun. I poke and prod in good fun and in jest. And while there are times I push a little more than most and bannish myself from the daylight, I see the cloves of garlic I have hung around people and situations, where I just won't go. Besides I've imprinted on Babe the only person who I am totally me with, forever till eternity. However, I see people every day who live a sham, who try to be someone they're not. I sense it. The key is realizing that happiness comes through in the form of acceptance. Accepting yourself for you, accepting others for who they are, and find the Bella or Edward who will accept you.

We are not immortals trapped in a soul cage in some undesired life, we do cast shadows, our noisy feet do leave imprints, and our mirrors do cast a reflection. We must let the shadows we cast not be of doubt, let others see and hear our foot prints, and most importantly look in the mirror and be that reflection.