Laughter - my workout of choice!

If laughter is the best medicine, then why don't we do more of it? I read recently that a good "belly laugh" burns more calories than walking for 20 minutes and it strenthens the abs. What fabulous news for us all. Just by laughing you are going to live longer and be healthier and happier.

When was the last time you had a really good laugh? I mean the kind of laughter that makes your eyes tear up and you have to bend over at the waist. That is the "laughing work-out", you will feel the burn from your head to your toes and feel so much better when you get finished laughing. Want to try it? No need to ask your doctor for permission before trying this work-out and it is great for all ages. Here goes . . . HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

NOW GO HAVE SOME FUN AND LAUGH!

Let the Braces Begin! Again!

On your mark, get set, BRACE!

Today started my daughters 2nd round of braces. She had to get spacers to start her journey to straight, beautiful teeth. In this world of perfection. No one has crooked teeth anymore, do they? Actually her situation is a little more serious than that, she complains "why did I have to get bad teeth?"

I remember when my son got braces he did not speak with me for weeks, nor smile very often because as he said, "if God had wanted me to have straight teeth, he would have given me straight teeth!" How do you answer to that? And of course 4 years later when he finally got them off, he did not wear his retainer and basically he thinks it was a waste of money that caused much mental trauma for him. I think his teeth look great and it was worth it.

As her parent, it is mine and her father's responsibility to take care of her and when the orthodontist tells us she has an "open bite" and this is a must, I feel as if I have no choice. She is not an easy case and what else are you to do but trust what the doctor says for her to do. This is more complicated than just normal braces. The only other alternative is major jaw surgery, so we chose the non-surgical route.

Her first round started at the age of 9 with top and bottom braces and also head gear. Yeah, I said "head gear", basically a hockey mask that you attach to your child's face using rubber bands. And I had to "jack her up" one time every night with the palate spreader in the roof of her mouth, too. Still give me chills thinking of doing that. Each night during that year of treatment I would kneel over her and pray that she would not wake up and freak out with this mask over her face. As a parent, we have to help our children understand the rules of "do what the doctor says!" Now this round of braces they are going to try a new procedure that involves putting small screws inside her mouth with rubber bands to fix her bite. I am nervous for her but I know she will do great and it will all work out for the best in the end, just dread the drama and trauma it will cause in her life. She made the statement to me last night that she had had such a great day yesterday until she found out she had to go to the orthodontist. Oh sweet child of mine, it blesses my heart that the only thing that caused you grief today is our journey to give you straight, beautiful, pretty and white teeth.

I know many of you out there have been through the braces journey, so any advice on how to deal with this parenting issue is much needed and appreciated.

Off to the "braces"!

Happy Living, Loving & Laughing,
Angie Lu

When the phone rings in the middle of the night!

At 12:30 a.m. the phone rings and your heart races. You know this cannot be good. Never in my life do I remember the phone ringing after midnight and it not being bad news - right? As the Mother of a 20 year old college student and a 14 year old, I am always on mental alert after going to bed. When your babies are young some nights it is so hard to get rest, or when they hit the terrible twos and are throwing temper tantrums, or when they go to pre-school for the first time, or when they get bullied at school and come home crying because their feelings are hurt (your first reaction is to defend and protect them always), we think these are the most difficult times as a parent. One thing is for sure those times are hard on us parents and amazingly gratifying at the same time but I remember always being able to hold my children and comfort them, just be there and love them. Being able to put a band-aid on the boo-boo, kiss it and make it all better. The joy of parenting that fills your heart is seeing the unconditional love in your child's eyes when you are there for them and you are rewarded with a hug, kiss and an "I love you Mommy".

Last night or should I say early this morning when the phone rings and I am jolted from a deep sleep to have my heart almost jump from my chest with fear and worry, I noticed that the name that appeared was "Double D". My son, the college student, was calling me and it couldn't be good because the last time he called me that late he was on the way to the emergency room to get stitches. He had just been home this past weekend and I had a great time catching up with him on the many exciting things going on in his new, independent life in Starkville. Every time I see him now I am awed by what a handsome and self-confident young man he is turning out to be. My husband and I worked hard to raise him to be a kind, self-assured, God loving man. And I am proud to say he is a true gentleman and makes me beam with pride. I love my Doodle man! As my eyes filled with tears, I say, "What's wrong son"? What happened?" And he gently replies, "How are you Mom?" and I think - okay he needs money - did he get a speeding ticket? what could it be? and then he say's with a rattled voice, "I don't feel good, Mom. I can't sleep. My ear hurts - bad!" My heart skipped a few beats as I register that my son, a young adult, had called me to help him feel better with an earache (thank God, nothing too serious) and ask my advice on what to do for it. He still needs me! Even if he is a few hours away and I can't nurture him in person but I am there with him on the phone as he walks through the drugstore to get ear drops and something for the pain. My baby boy needed me and I was there, even though I couldn't put a band-aid on it , kiss it and make it better, I could talk with him, encourage him and be there for him. After hearing his "I love you Mom"then hanging up the phone, I had a prideful, worried momma cry, and checked on my beautiful teenager sleeping softly in her bed, I dropped to my knees and said a prayer. A long while later I was finally able to drift back off to my usual guarded parent sleep.

Of course, now today, things are back to normal because I cannot get him on the phone to let me know how he is, so as the old saying goes hopefully "no news, is good news". Here's to all you hard working, loving parents out there, we will get through the stages of parenting together!

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu

I saw Mommy at the 4-way stop . . .

This week has been one of those weeks that I have been needing and wanting to see my Mom. Bad! I need her wisdom and advice, I want her to tell me everything will be OK and it will all work out great. My Mom always had the ability to cheer everyone she knew up and make you feel as if nothing bad could ever overcome the good in this world. She woke up smiling and went to bed smiling. Always positive. Always upbeat and happy. She lived life to the fullest everyday. I need her today just as I did when I was a little girl.

Unfortunately I have to have her in memory only . . . but do I?

As the anniversary (March 27, 1993) of my Mother's death approaches, it amazes me that 17 years later I need and miss her as much now more than I ever could when I had her here to comfort me. It was on this day in 1993 that I last saw my Mom alive. We had an amazing day in Pensacola, FL walking on the beach. My son was only 3 years old and he was in awe as we gathered "starfish families" that were washed up on the seashore. Never in my life had I seen a live starfish but as we walked along the cold Gulf shore, my Mom runs and started grabbing them to throw them back in the ocean so that they would survive. "Help me" she screams, we have to save them! We obliged and began grabbing as many as we could. Big one's - called the Daddy, medium one's called Mommy and the smaller one's of course were the children. After much thought we decided to keep a few to save for the memory of this day. A Daddy, Mommy, Brother and Sister. That is all we kept. We prayed for them and that God would forgive us for keeping these four for our keepsake box. *Many years later I released the skeletons of these starfish back into the ocean on the same beach - in the same spot to relive this amazing moment in time.

As I headed home tonight from a crazy days work, I was wishing and wanting and praying to see my Mother. It was such a wanting and need that I felt overwhelmed through my tears. Then to my amazement when I got to the 4-way stop in Marion . . . I know it sounds crazy but a car that looked like my Mom's old red Ford Escort with a smiling and beautiful woman that looked just like her - was waving and smiling at me! Yes, she looked just like my Mom, were my eyes playing tricks on me? As I turned right and she turned left, I quickly turned around at the gas station and headed her direction fast to catch her. It was as if she had vanished. She was no where to be seen. Did this woman really exist? Who was she? Was I dreaming?

Life is something that I sometimes take for granted as I head out each day to do all the things I have to do. Sad to think that it takes the loss of someone you love so much to make you realize how important life is - how important living is - how important making each day be of value because you never know when your last day is. So let me say right now that I love you, love my family, love my friends and I love life. As hard as it is, Mom taught me that we are only here for a little while and we have to be grateful for each day. Just like the starfish being washed on the shore - if we all work together we can make a difference in someone's life. So, if you can, go hug your Mom and thank her for your life, and if you can't I pray she shows up to visit, just like mine did today at the 4-way stop. Thank you Mommy - I needed you and you were there.

Go make a happy memory - you'll be glad you did.

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu

The Romace lives but the flowers died . . .

Here it is Valentine's Day 2010 and I am writing my first blog for Bandaids, Bridges & the Bridesmaid. A perfect day to get this blog party started.

Yes, the romance in my 21.5 year marriage is alive and well because I have the most romantic man on the planet. It is true that the way to a person's heart is through her stomach because I just lost my heart over a delicious home cooked meal of bacon wrapped filets, new potatoes and spinach salad (and don't forget the appetizer - a BLT dip to die for). For desert we had hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries and red velvet cup cakes. After we ate he gave me a lovely card with all the perfect words and of course you must get flowers on Valentine's Day - Well I am not sure what kind they are but they sure look droopy and sad. He kept apologizing for the pitiful little white and pink long stem bell like blooms that looked as if they had been out in the snow from Friday. Weird since he had just bought them a little earlier and they were fresh and pretty. So let's count this up . . .
1. Steak dinner - delish
2. Strawberries - even more delish
3. Card - made me cry
4. Droopy Sad Flowers - I just realized he had in the vase without any water - PRICELESS!

Moral to this Valentine's day story is this - You can keep the romance alive even after many years of marriage with a delicious meal, fabulous desert, card and flowers. But no matter what you do - the flowers always need water to look pretty and live! And hey one thing is for sure - that's a funny Valentine moment I will never forget as I throw my poor, sad and thirsty flowers in the garbage can (I did press one inside the card to keep)! *Remind me to share the story with you about the Valentine's Day he sent me real rose bushes to plant myself.

Happy Living, Loving, and Laughing,
Angie Lu