Oops

While making guacamole last night, I accidentally poured a bit too much garlic in the bowl.  A bit too much as in half a cup or more.

As luck would have it, Aiven LOVED it!  He ate a ton before going to bed.

When my husband and I awoke this morning with our little guy snuggled in our bed, we could not figure what this horrific smell emanating from him was.

We quickly realized he had garlic seeping out of every pore of his body.  Not only did it cure his runny nose, but he can now repel vampires.

From Prisons To Peace

As I watch the Facebook comments stream in about the impending release about Gilad Shalit, I can't join in the jubilation.  One of the terrorists being released inthe exchange murdered my friend, Fern Shawna Rykiss, in 1989 when he took control of the 405 bus and hurled it down a ravine.
 

I had gone to school with Fern since elementary school, and we shared a mutual best friend.  Fern had more energy that I could ever keep up with and overcame adversity to graduate from the Jewish high school.  Her loss devastated our community, not to mention her family.  I remember how her bubbe waited outside school every day to walk Fern home, and now that I am a mother I cannot fathom the depth of her mother’s and bubbe’s pain.  Almost twenty years later, ask anyone who knew Fern and the wound has barely healed.  Today, the scab is being violently torn off.

Of course I am thrilled that Gilad will be returning home to his family and friends.  But at what cost?  How will Gilad and his family feel when a released prisoner kills again?  Fern's murderer has shown no remorse, and it is only a matter of time before he or one of the other homicidal maniacs being released strikes again.

I wish I could ask everyone to take a moment today and pause to remember the victims of the prisoners being released.  I have often asked myself how G-d could let Fern die so young, and my only solace was that at least justice had been done.  After today, that will no longer be true.  I must find a new source of comfort to make sense of this senseless tragedy.  Therefore, I hope and pray that our sacrifices in the name of peace shall not be made in vain and that Fern's legacy will be peace in Eretz Yisroel.

Out Of Office Message

I have been wanting to write for a few weeks now. But I am having a tough time writing.  So many changes with moving to Austin, setting up a home again, unpacking endless boxes,and a quick trip back to Vancouver has left me overwhelmed and exhausted.

I hope the chaos will subside in the next couple of weeks and I get a moment to reflect on the last few weeks: the good, the bad, and the ugly (mostly my mood swings and temper tantrums).

The good news is that we have something new and borrowed (a new car and car loan) and something old and P-U (my old stinky car from L.A. that has been parked like trailer trash on a friend's front yard for four years; we had it shipped here and fixed up). We also signed a three month lease on an apartment, received our boxes from NY (only a few damaged items), and bought new bedroom furniture and a fabulous new desk for me to write on.  

As for Aiven, he is the most resilient of us all (as usual). He is running around and playing, oblivious to the madness encompassing him. Ignorance is bliss!

Although it's mid October and 90 degrees, there is a lot to be hopeful and grateful for. My husband should have his new job finalized in the next day or two, and we are about to put a bid on a house.

Wait...I will have to pack and unpack again?????  Oy vey!