Who miraclesrule, come on down!

[gwendolyn]

Date: 6/22/2008 11:43:37 AM
Author: miraclesrule

Date: 6/22/2008 5:14:35 AM

Author: gwendolyn

I LOVE reading about you, miraclesrule! You have had an incredible life--not many people can handle the sorts of challenges you have with such grace and maturity. That photo of you and your daughter is just beautiful! How old is she now?

Oh trust me, I didn''t always handle it with grace and maturity. I swore like a sailor and had my ''Terms of Endearment'' moments with medical personnel, case managers, insurance companies, governmental agencies and even my Dad. It wasn''t an easy ride. But I learned that the squeaky wheel got the grease when it came to keeping my Dad alive. There were times I was extremely resentful but then had to remember that my Dad was both mentally and physically ill and that he just wasn''t going to be easy to care for. I avoid the ''Taking Care of the Elderly'' thread because it would open the flood gates that I built a dam around.


My darling daughter will be 29 in October...I can''t believe it. It goes so fast. So he is our matching shirts that I made us for this past Charger Season. We took this around Christmas or right after. All I know is...that I wanted a big change, so I am no longer a blonde. I am a brunette and still trying to get used to it.

Hahah, no, I know how it is. While I was writing the ''grace and maturity'' bit, I was thinking, "I''ll bet she''ll say that isn''t really how it was!" Although maybe at the TIME you feel like you handled it differently, you clearly have taken those experiences and used them to become who you are today, and I think that is the mature way to handle it. I''ve known people in my life who have had to deal with things half as difficult as you have, and they remain bitter, resentful people to this day, feeling like they were cheated out of some imaginary life to which they feel they were entitled. But that''s not you. You took what life presented and you have made yourself into a strong, beautiful amazing woman who I find admirable. So that''s *really* what I meant the first time.

 

[miraclesrule]

Oh, that was big...yikes...here are some smaller ones. WE LOVE CHARGER GAMES!! It''s one of my favorite times of the year because I know that whatever is doing on in our individual lives, I will get to be spending times with my daughter and we have been doing this since she could walk.

 

[miraclesrule]

Well, today I am off to a brunch with some friends at the La Valencia is La Jolla...woohoooo!
I sure hope it cooler than the 106 degrees yesterday.

I just went out to feed the cats and it 9:00 a.m. and HOT already. Ugh... So I''ll leave you with a little Charger peace.

 

[pennquaker09]

I''d just like to say you''re an absolutely fabulous lady.

 

[miraclesrule]

Gwendolynn and PennQuaker..thank you so much.

Gwen, you are so right, I was cracking up when I read the "grace" part.

I don''t think that is a word many people have ever used to describe me. But I understand what you mean. There are a lot of people, especially in America, who don''t understand how good they have it. I just feel so fortunate that me and my daughter have our health. I remember talking to God at night. I do believe in God..and believe that it is in each and every one of us...it''s our unconditional love.

But I digress, I guess that means I remember talking to myself (lol) and saying "I don''t care what you put in front of me...give it to me...I will take whatever you have to give me, as long as you keep my daughter safe. Please God, I know I am not supposed to be scared and pray for "things", I will do anything you guide me too, but please know I am not strong enough to watch my daughter die...just an FYI God...you know, in case you get me mixed up with anyone other souls. Thank you. Amen"

So, basically, it was the reminder of what I percieve as my "pact with God" that kept me going. Of course, we never know what tomorrow will bring, yet I just assume that any challenge I have means that my daughter will be safe. Or rather, that I will be safe from what I can only imagine is the worst possible thing that can happen to any parent.

Sheesh, I sound crazy don''t I??? Eh, if I am, it''s genetic.

 

[ladypirate]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:21:54 PM
Author: miraclesrule

Date: 6/21/2008 11:59:03 AM

Author: ladypirate

Uh oh--your daughter''s father sounds like he looks like my dad did in the 70s--tall, long blond hair, blue eyes, dimples...

Luckily, he''s 15-20 years older than you are and was with my mom at the time, so I think we''re safe.

Also, he doesn''t sound anything like him personality wise. Your dad did pass away on his birthday, though (same as Freke''s). Weird.


I have to ditto SDL--you are an amazing lady! Your daughter is lucky to have such a strong mom as a role model. Do you still live in Los Angeles?

My Dad moved to San Diego in the late 80''s and lived in North Park. He lived in the same rented place up until the day he died. I have never lived anywhere except San Diego. The only thing I like about L.A. is the shopping.


Did you get your Dad''s dimples? My daughter didn''t. She didn''t get his blue eyes or his thick blonde hair either. I guess I had the dominant gene. She did inherit his megawatt smile and long legs.


Thanks, I try to be a good role model, but I have to learn to let her be her own person too. We are both so different, but hopefully, once the stress of this wedding is over, we can both relax into just being again. I guess I''m getting scared because I have gained about 5 pounds in the last month and I am still freaking out over the dress she is having me wear. I am stressed about her dress being too short because it came in too big and when they took it in it lifted up...a lot!! The MOH broke her foot at last weeks ''Friend bridal shower'' and is in a boot. The Vegas party is in two weeks and I want to stop eating....but how can I when they keep having these parties and there is so much great food.

I did get my dad''s dimples, although my sisters didn''t--I definitely take after him in looks. My sisters and I all got his curly hair (and we all share red hair from his side of the family), but they have my mom''s body type (shorter) whereas I''m more tall and lanky like he is.

I''m sure that you look fine--5 pounds isn''t that bad. When is the wedding, again?

 

[miraclesrule]

I adore dimples. It is my weakness. My daughter didn''t get them though.

The wedding is 7/25. I know I can toss a spanx on, although I haven''t wore pantyhose or anything since I left my job after 9/11. They would probably drive me batty. I am going on a strict diet now, except for Vegas..

I really need to drink water. Really, really bad, but I just hate drinking the stuff.

 

[miraclesrule]

Date: 6/22/2008 6:08:49 PM
Author: pennquaker09
I''d just like to say you''re an absolutely fabulous lady.

You are pretty darn fabulous yourself there missy...
With a darn fine house and great taste... Are you sure you don''t need a nanny?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I love the photos!! This is so cool, keep it coming. It is so neat to learn more about everyone!

 

[miraclesrule]

Dang, every photo I can find of me and my sisters as kids..we are matchy, matchy. My Mom was all about the matchiness... See what I mean...

 

[miraclesrule]

Oops, it helps if I attach the picture...

 

[miraclesrule]

But just for you ladies, this has to be, without a doubt, the worst photo of me in existence. This rivals any bad pregnancy photo. It''s apparent that a) I was eating b) There couldn''t possibly be a reason at all for the hair...ever c) I was probably trying to stop the picture from being taken and d) It was also obvious that I wasn''t the kind of girl with any pregnancy fashion sense or that my "girls" didn''t get bigger during pregnancy....Ugh, ugh, ugh...This one is for you Freke...

Go ahead, laugh your butt off...

 

[FrekeChild]

I LOVE YOUR PHOTO NAME!!!

Oh my goodness you look very unhappy!! And very pregnant!!!! I love it!!!

I''m going to have to find some better humiliating pictures of myself....

...I will win...[/b]

 

[FrekeChild]

I hate that you can''t edit in here...

I was going to say that you look absolutely beautiful with your dark hair!!!It''s making me want to dye my hair dark again. Dang it miracles!!!!

 

[iwannaprettyone]

I think you are soooo interesting, beautiful and a genuinely sweet person. Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories and your beautiful photos.

 

[bee*]

Great stories and pictures Miracles! You''re a stunner!

 

[miraclesrule]

Iwannapretty one...and...
bee.

Awww, thank you so much.

If you know any nice, single, honest, heterosexual men....please point them to this board.

 

[miraclesrule]

Date: 6/23/2008 2:07:12 AM
Author: FrekeChild
I hate that you can''t edit in here...

I was going to say that you look absolutely beautiful with your dark hair!!!It''s making me want to dye my hair dark again. Dang it miracles!!!!

You know that it will just fade, dontcha??? You would look gorgeous with green hair chicka!!

I am still wondering if I made the right choice. I definately went through "Blonde Withdrawal"
It doesn''t seem as though anyone looks at me anymore, but my daughter assures me that the right one will.

 

[FrekeChild]

I really do think it looks great. And yeah it''ll fade, but then you can just dye it again! I think it makes your eyes look gorgeous! I loved having dark hair because it made my eyes stand out like crazy. Whats your natural color?

So I want to know, what is your real first name?

 

[miraclesrule]

Well, my real hair color...good question. I don''t even think my hairdresser knows for sure.

Actually, it''s a lighter version of what it is now. It''s rather ashy brown without any hint of warmth. The sun highlights it fairly easily into a gold, which is why it was easier to go blonde since I keep it long. I have been getting some gray hairs in a few bunches at the crown of my head, so highlighting covered them really well. Much more so than the dark color does and for much longer (read less $$$)

When I first went dark, we passed a reddish phase and my eyes "POPPED". They were so green, everyone commented on what a great color it was. But it only lasted a few washings before it got very ewwwwwwww....

Now, my eyes aren''t as green, and are more of a hazel, but I''m okay with it. This color matches more clothing.

Mi nombre es Janice.

 

[miraclesrule]

Here''s another "Hottest Babe on the Planet" picture. My senior picture. Lordy, lordy, what was I thinking....

 

[FrekeChild]

Hola Janice!

I know what you mean about the red hair-I had people asking me all of the time if I wore colored contacts when I had it.

You and I have similar hair color. Mine is dark blonde/light brown without any real warm tones at all, but it also highlights into a golden color very easily. I keep thinking about adding highlights to help mask those grays that keep popping up.

Isn''t it weird how when your hair changes color, clothes look different? I had serious issues going from dark brown to my *natural* color. Everything was jewel tone (which looks ok both ways-but better with dark hair) and I had to kick some pastels/neutrals back in there to go with the hair. WTH? I change my hair color and then have to go buy a new wardrobe? Yeesh...

 

[FrekeChild]

I have a pic of one of my senior pictures...I''m afraid that you''ll want to see it....

 

[miraclesrule]

I hear you on the clothing AND the makeup!! I wore a lot of black and brown when my hair was blonde and some of this things I wore required a cover up at work, which was almost always black. Now, when I put them on, I am thinking...Blech...

So, I bought a white blazer and am trying to buy lighter tops that contrast with my hair color. And instead of weaing a lot of color shadows, I have been wearing a lot of white or beige and using my usual black eyeliner. It seems to help. I am still experimenting and hope to have something concrete before my daughters wedding next month.

It''s so expensive being a woman.

 

[miraclesrule]

Date: 6/24/2008 1:40:09 AM
Author: FrekeChild
I have a pic of one of my senior pictures...I''m afraid that you''ll want to see it....

Afraid...you...nevah...

Bring it!!!! I''ll be waiting in your thread.

 

[diamondfan]

Miracles, warts and all I am sure you were and continue to be a fab mom. Kids can also learn from OUR errors, see that we are human, we mess up, but we do not give up. We get up and keep on trucking.

And may I say that this will pass, my mom and I had terrible fights during my wedding, or more of I did not speak to her and thought she was possessed and horrific? Things will calm down.

I hope you get this tax return and can be earring twins with Michelle!

I also think, though of course you were a smoking babe back in the day, you look even better now?

 

[diamondfan]

It would not let me edit!

Also wanted to add with your new hair color make up and clothes will maybe need a tweak in terms of color choices...fun to play with!

 

[miraclesrule]

diamond fan: You''re right, weddings can be stressful. It didn''t help that my daughter gave only 5 months to plan and execute. She is now realizing that I was right on a lot of the things, but I avoid doing the "Told you so" dance. I am a "preventer of disaster" by nature and spend a lot of time up front anticipating consequences in order to prevent them. My daughter is the opposite. She goes in with good intentions, without anticipating the consequences and then has to control the damage or deny it. Most of our fights haven''t really been about things she has done, but more about her delegating important items to the wrong people. That and not being able to make a definitive decision.

But, I think we have turned a corner. I know that the weddomg day will be beautiful and memorable. We are down to the last leg and I think that everything will come together...and for better or worse, it will be what it is. I have finally just "let go" of expectations and am trying to enjoy the final month.

I agree with you. I got better with age. But then again, I blame the era for most of my fashion faux pas. I thank the lord everyday for make up.

 

[diamondfan]

It will all come together and be lovely. And she might even realize you told her so and tell you, so you do not have to.

It is tough, because you approach things so differently, but she also knows you are her wingwoman, so she can trust in you to be there for her. That is awesome on so many levels. But this process kind of sucks too.

Funny she wanted a sibling, the one thing she did not get. I think kids are often like that. I wanted to be an only cuz my sis was hideous. I had a sister that died as an infant and I used to daydream that if she had lived she would have been the nicest sister ever. Who knows? Just know for sure my sister bit it big time.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/24/2008 2:01:45 AM
Author: miraclesrule
I agree with you. I got better with age. But then again, I blame the era for most of my fashion faux pas. I thank the lord everyday for make up.

Yeah, blame the era. I think you look fab-and actually a lot better in your old school pics than some I''ve seen. What did you look like in the 80s? My cousin/godmother had half of her head shaved, minus a braid with beads on it, and the other side was about 3-4 inches long and spiky. That is much worse than yours. Not to mention my other incredibly elegant professional ballerina cousin who had a MULLET in the 80s. Hee hee hee...oh the blackmail. Too bad all of my cousins are all older(38-50), married, have kids and don''t care anymore.

Hmmmm...Maybe I could blackmail their kids!!!!!

Seriously, I think you look gorgeous!

...and I posted eye candy for you...to laugh at...