May 202013
 

confidence, dreams, inspirational quotes, sayings, wisdom, word wise web

Today’s wise words were found on Inspire Bohemia and were quoted by the author,  poet and philosopher- Henry David Thoreau. This has been a huge mantra of late for me. I often question my future steps and sometimes lack the confidence to go further. I have to remind myself- If I can’t see it, how can I expect other’s to? I’ll never know what lies ahead until I try. There are so many directions in which I’d like to go but fear has a way of tugging at my hope and adventure. (Honestly, it can be relentless at times). So I say, “F* that!” Recently I scheduled a meeting with my girlfriends to go over our bucket lists. There will be wine, great friends, discussions of upcoming adventures and… hope. And why not? Cause sometimes in order to move confidently into our dreams, we need a little kick in the a*.

If you’d like to share your current endeavors or upcoming adventures, we’d love to hear.

The word-wise web is a new addition to the {jcp} blog and a way for me to share my daily inspirations with you.  I put great value on vocabulary and find that the web is an incredibly rich resource for discovering those wordy bits of wisdoms. In fact, I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to finding these.  So stay tuned for more and if you have any words of wisdom that you love, pray do tell!

May 122013
 

It all started a month ago when my husband stated “we should go see your Grandmother for Mother’s Day.” A statement that excited me as much as it frightened me…

mi abuela, mothers day, alzheimer's, my grandmother, Arizona

My Grandmother has Alzheimer’s. The last post I wrote on her was when she was first diagnosed and while I’ve visited her since, I haven’t posted since. She’s had Alzheimer’s for a few years now and every time I see her, I come to the painful realization that the disease has claimed yet another one of her cherished memories (and she has so many). I also realize, there’s no going back. As much as I would like her to come back from this, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and she will never again regain the memories that she has lost. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s hard for me to admit. She is one of the most vivacious and adventurous people I have ever known, a constant inspiration and one of my dearest friends. She’s not just my Grandmother but a wise old friend and true confidant.

So my husband’s idea was bitter-sweet. I love him for suggesting it. I’m just scared. Trepidatious. I never know what to expect with each visit and find myself hopelessly wishing I could stop time. If only I were a super-hero. I thought she was, when I was five, in the way that she told stories or taught me how to ride a bike or how to cook “guatemalan style.” I wish I could be that for her right now.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized… I can. By not having any expectations, I can. I can keep the mood light, consistently give her my patience and listen. I can help her whenever and wherever she needs to go and I can laugh heartily at her joke as she repeats it for the seventh time (cause lets face it, sometimes, that’s the best delivery). With each visit, I see the constant fear in her eyes, the questions and her hesitant body language but I can also turn it around. Because it’s not about me, it’s about her. She is still here. She’s a little scarred, a bit bruised but she is still here. She still dances, smiles and her eyes still light up when you walk into a room. She is still here and for that I am grateful.

That to me is what mother’s day is all about, to celebrate the love, care, peace and patience that they have brought to our own lives. My grandmother raised three strong boys and played a huge roll in the greatest love story I have ever witnessed. She came to America from Guatemala, taught herself English and vivaciously became a US citizen. I am proud to spend this day with her and proud to have my mother by my side for the entire journey. There is no room for fear and I realize that now. It’s going to be hard but it’s going to be fabulous- three generations of awesome (to be exact) because ”The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

My husband is right- she deserves to be surrounded by family, on this day especially. So, as this is being posted, I’m happy to report that we are exactly three hours into our journey, to Arizona. My husband, my mother and I, soon to be reunited with Mi Abuela. I can’t think of a better way to spend this precious day.

Abuela, te quiero mucho y te llevo en mi corazón. Felix día de las Madres.

mi abuela, mothers day, alzheimer's, my grandmother, Arizona

The first time my grandmother moved into her new senior citizens home, my mother and I drove over to help her decorate. She went from a two bedroom bungalow, located within a Country Club, to a single room. It was a nice room but a big change for her nonetheless. As a way to break the ice, I asked her to pose for me and to share with me what her expectations were. At the time she was excited about her new friends, new dance partners and our next visit… I love you grandma.

mi abuela, mothers day, alzheimer's, my grandmother, Arizona

May 022013
 

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Once upon a time, in the midst of a classic Los Angeles backdrop, there lived Amy and Dan. They met through the help of Match.com and have been inseparable for the last two years. It was an instant match, there was no doubting their chemistry, friends and family knew immediately which is why they were asked to surround the happy couple on the day of Dan’s proposal. The proposal took place within Griffith Park, after a long hike. Amy claims she got them lost and Dan was afraid she was going to give up on the hike and immediately turn around but they pressed on, they even jumped a chain-link fence in order to make their destination. In the end, it was all a surprise to Amy when she suddenly stumbled upon a scenic vista where their friends had set up a romantic picnic for them. Dan dropped to one knee and proposed as quickly as he could get the words out. And Amy?…well, she said yes.

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Their wedding was nothing short of a dream. It all took place within the rose gardens of The Muckenthaler Mansion in Pasadena, the entire venue was lined in shades of orange, fuchsia, and yellow, giving the overall feel of a fall infused sunset. For the groom, a Texan at heart, he wore an orange tie (as a nod to the University of Texas, where he attended college) and cowboy boots. The bride wore a dazzling pair of Jimmy Choos and a beautiful butterfly necklace that her mother had often worn within their family portraits growing up. It was these small and intimate details that made their wedding so stunning and so evocative. From the minute you walked up, there was immediate warmth, a comfort and ease amongst family and friends. A bluegrass band played an array of favorites from New Orleans jazz to Country. Their best friend was their officiate for the evening and during their vows, they drank from the same kiddush cup that the brides parents used in their wedding almost 40 years ago. Small tomato and basil plants, in terra cotta pots, were used for the guests place cards. They had been hand planted and cared for by Amy and Dan themselves and so became amazing keepsakes for their guests to later plant and enjoy within their own homes.

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

As the Reception kicked off, Amy and Dan made their grand entrance to “If I Needed You,” by Emmylou Harris and danced their first dance, as man and wife. Their cake, creatively crafted by Collette’s Catering, complemented the delicate garden euphoria that the bride and groom were hoping to capture. Flower arrangements, created by The Urban Gardener, decorating each table. The reception began just before sunset and was followed by a canopy of paper lanterns for the guests to dance beneath. It was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all. Congratulations again Amy and Dan!

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography

Amy and Dan, Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Muckenthaler Mansion, Weddings, wedding photography