I love Easter, the renewal of spirit and the signs of life popping up.  My father is Greek Orthodox but we were raised Roman Catholic because there isn't a Greek Orthodox church, I think in our whole state.  We have kept many of the customs while still practicing the Roman Catholic Faith.

This week being Holy Week is hard and makes our family very thankful for many things that are a given in our daily lives.  We don't eat meat Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until our Easter foods are blessed (here it happens on Saturday).  When I was growing up we were not only not allowed meat we weren't allowed dairy, or grains either.  That just leaves fresh veggies lol.

Each Easter our family makes an Easter Basket that is taken to the church blessed and then we eat our Easter food.  I'll make a basket out of bread this year.  I love the look and that it is a basic food item that will hold and display our Easter Foods. 

The basket will contain, Easter Eggs, homemade Horseradish (making this is an experience let me tell you!), homemade egg cheese, salt, smoked sausage, ham, butter ours will be in the shape of a lamb, wine, fresh homemade bread and we add a candle.

Building our basket is a labor of love, and by fasting showing our love and respect.  Do I think you will go to hell for not fasting?  No, I don't but I think we are showing we care and are thankful for the sacrifices made for us.

Happy Easter!

Usually I wake up in a mood and stay in it whether the rest of the day goes sour or not.  Today though I have a huge mixture of feelings and I don't know why.  I'm crabby because I'm into my own thoughts and my thoughtless family wanted to know what was for dinner lol.

I don't even know what I'm thinking about except that its so nice and bright outside.  I feel my kids are now old enough that I can do what I want.  Nothing radical I assure you more like if I was to pick up my fat booty and get it moving in a walk I can. 

I've been giddy and something I haven't felt in a long time.  Happy!  It took me a while to figure out the emotion but that's what it is happy.  When happy has been gone so long that it was hard recognize it.   We aren't rich, and we have a ton of work to do on our home but my home is going to be done by fall.  16 years living in this house and it will be done.  What in the heck are we going to do?

I have a job I adore, and I'm doing some traveling and yes life is good!

My friend Rose and I found Xanga and found a place to heal with great people and a support system.  For the last 3 or 4 months we've disappeared to make a business work that we KNEW we could do if we were given the chance.  Now we are on our own and pleased as punch.   We work hard but we enjoy what we are doing and we only have each other and our families to answer to.

Speaking of families you would not believe how much changes in a year.  My kids are another year older and I have found that I am raising kids who are thoughtful, empathetic, and help those in need.  My children have never felt deprived or unhappy because we have less money.  I as a mom though had always felt bad or like I was depriving them.  I have over come this year and have changed my own attitude and accepted the lesson taught to my by my children.

Lastly I wanted to post back on Xanga not because I am broken or fixed  but because I MISS Xanga and the closeness of its bloggers.

Cheers!