littlemarymixup

2011-06-15T11:21:00.001-07:00

MY BLOG HAS MOVED TO LITTLEMARYMIXUP.TUMBLR.COM

2011-06-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

I Do

2011-06-05T22:10:00.001-07:00

littlemarymixup moving to littlemarymixup.tumblr.com! Come on over! It's easier! You'll like it there. You can even comment without giving your whole life story. Come check it out. You'll be happy there too! Change is wierd but I'm giving it a go. So far I love it...I can always come back....please take a peek! Let me know what you think!!! I love my blog friends...I don't want to lose you...so tumble on over to my new home! xoxo

2011-06-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

2011-06-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

Surprise!

2011-06-03T20:33:00.001-07:00

Friendships. Birthday celebrations. BFFs...Best Friends Forever. Sharing moments. Growing up together. Living through life's ups and downs. Making memories. Setting goals. Learning. Dreaming dreams. Encouraging. Laughing. Giggling incessantly. Singing. Creating drama. Talking. Talking. Talking.

Grace and some friends planned a surprise party for their best friend Kaley. Kaley is a true friend. They're "besties"...she's like family....she's always welcome...always!

Best of all, Kaley was surprised!

Coffee Break

2011-06-03T19:25:00.001-07:00

Seriously? Does Fitzy really need a caffeine boost mid afternoon? I think not. Energy is one thing that's never been an issue with this dog! I just hope it doesn't become a habit!

2011-06-01T23:41:00.001-07:00

"Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth." - Erma Bombeck

2011-06-01T23:36:00.001-07:00

Oh my. It was only yesterday that I was pushing the jog stroller...or pulling the bike cart behind me on my bike....or teaching how to race the big wheels.....or holding my breath for those first moments with the Playskool plastic roller skates....or sending my 15 month old out on the ice to skate with single blade skates....or taking off training wheels on the bike.....or watching the speed of the Razor Scooter as it rolled down the steep hill...or watching the sailboat sail off into the horizon with my little sailor...or watching the speed of the kid with the brand new high tech Rollerblades zip by me....or watching the little feet work so hard to make that Little Tykes cozy coupe roll.

Grace. She has passed her driver's test. She has completed the driver's education class. she has driven for miles. She has parallel parked, 3 point turned, blinkered, reversed down the driveway, stopped at stop signs, merged on interstates, righted on reds, slowed for pedestrians, driven over bridges, driven around rotaries, parked in shopping malls, grocery stores, friend's driveways and at sports fields...in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts ....even little Rhode Island. She's ready. The paperwork will be finished today...it will be official.

I just had a flash of me putting her in her little automatic indoor baby swing....it was like sending her off to the moon on the Apollo Space Mission! My itty bitty baby was flying...through the air! I wasn't sure I could trust that motorized swing with our precious baby...how could I let go...what if....she LOVED it! She squealed! She smiled. She relaxed. So did I.

The next step. She's so ready. I know. It's me. It's one more step of letting go. I remember my own excitement when I could drive! My mom had great faith in me....as a driver and in life...just as I do with Grace.

Wait! Snap! As in Snap out of it! I can hear it already....like nails on the chalkboard, "Mom! Can I have the car?" I have an even greater faith that I'll be hearing those words quite a bit! And then T.J. will start....ahhhhhhhh! We haven't even gotten to the D.M.V. yet....why do I already feel stranded?

Time

Kaboom!

2011-06-01T21:11:00.001-07:00

One minute we were walking in sunshine and the next minute....CLAPS of THUNDER! BANGING from above! CRACKS of THUNDER and LIGHTNING! Grace and I ran between the raindrops ....rainplops! Pouring! We scooted along through plentiful puddles....dashing to the car.....splashing and wading all the way....the windows were only open a crack...still, the seats in the car were as soaked as we were! We just sat and laughed...at ourselves! That felt good. Then the sun peeked out. Life is funny.

Fitzy checking the vet's notes on the computer

2011-06-01T20:06:00.001-07:00

Adding to the vet's notes:

1. Give extra treats
2. Serve steak for dinner
3. Serve steak for lunch
4. Serve steak for breakfast
5. Serve steak for snacks
6. Serve steak for treats
7. Repeat
8. Repeat again
9. Repeat again and again
10. Repeat again and again and again

Fitz... she's proud of the number on the scale

2011-06-01T19:54:00.001-07:00

Here's Fitzy on the scale at the vet....I think she's showing off. Yup. It's true. Fitzy and Daisy both took off a few pounds...and only because we began feeding them a little less at meal time. And to think that surprised me!

Maybe it's just that simple....eat a little less at each meal, exercise and drop a few pounds. So simple! To think of all of those fad diets we hear about everyday in books, on TV shows, the news and commercials. Maybe we should take a page out of our doggy notebook! Eat a little less, walk everyday and add some swimming, running on the beach and hiking in the woods and romping playfully in the yard! So simple. It's something we can all do....everyday!

How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

2011-06-01T19:29:00.001-07:00

Oh wait. That's about looking IN the window....Fitz is the doggie in the window looking OUT! She's not trying to make a break for it....she's looking for a kitchen, the garbage or an Ice Cream truck! Always checking....sniffing...looking...on the hunt. A Golden Retriever retrieves....Fitz just can't get that far...she only retrieves if she's motivated to eat it.....whatever "it" may be!

Where's The Vet?

2011-06-01T19:02:00.001-07:00

Daisy and Fitz at the vet today

2011-06-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

Monkey See, Monkey Do

2011-05-30T22:06:00.001-07:00

Monkey's Fist to the Max! Last summer, we made our usual beach trek on one of the glorious uninhabited islands off of the cape. As we always do, once the boat is anchored, we walk the beach and climb rocks, step over stones, hunt and gather random treasures washed ashore by some storms.

Hunting List:
Sea glass

Gathering List:

1. Buoys
2. Beach balls
3. Boat line
4. Flags
5. Occasional tire
6. sneaker or single flip flop
7. tennis ball
8. Fishing lures
9. Fishing line
10. Pail
11. Shovel
12. Beach chair
13. Cooler
14. Tattered tacky beach towel
15. Boat ladder
16. Frisbee
17. Goodyear tire
18. Tugboat dock lines
19. 14k Gold and sterling silver bracelet
20. Cell phone

** #18...huge hunk of big clunky tugboat line stuck in the rocks...most intriguing ...especially to the kids. To repurpose? Huh? Ta-da! It's been hauled from boat to dock to beach to little red wagon to...home, made into a Mega Monkey's Fist like sailors made for their ships long ago. How will this be used? We're not quite sure...but we painted it anyway!

**#19...a shimmer of gold caught my eye one day...pushed away some sand with my toes and voila! simple abundance! A treasure that I treasure...for it's reminder of the abundance in our world.

Buoys Will Be Buoys

2011-05-30T21:29:00.001-07:00

When The Paints Go Marching In

2011-05-30T20:49:00.001-07:00

Well not quite. The paint crews arrived on the cape Saturday. Paint brushes. Check. Paint. Check. Enthusiasm. Check. Experience? Some. Many hands make light work is a saying Grace and T.J. know well around our house.

Somehow, out of state, on Cape Cod, at a beach house, with friends like family, Memorial Day weekend, with music, laughter and catching up....many hands make light work turns out to be much more fun....lightening the load than home sweet home.

And what fun we had today! 4 parents, 4 kids, 2 grandparents and one stereo...painting the porch, prepping the house, stopping for lunch and a quick jaunt to the beach, coffee, clean up.

What a gift! All of it. Even the paint on my toes. Life's better barefoot! With family and friends! With music! With enthusiasm to welcome summer!

Fitzy Again?

2011-05-30T18:41:00.001-07:00

NO! Are you as surprised as we were when we got home from the movies? Remember, we're on the cape...so unless Fitz followed us....I don't think she got to the pizza. Daisy? Never! But Quigley?

Yes! He seemed to be running wild while we were out...was it a party? We think he was worried he was left behind. Ooh! Did he look guilty when we got home! Guilty and full!

Guilty As Charged!

"Losing Isaiah" Our Saturday Night Movie At Home

2011-05-28T21:28:00.001-07:00

What a movie. Beautifully done. Powerful. So many questions. Who are we to judge? Which situation is best? or better?

A very good movie ...at home..on Netflix. Biff and I both really enjoyed the acting.

Beachy Keen

The boat is at the beach! T.J. took it out today for the season's maiden voyage...beautiful afternoonf or beach, picnics and sailing....and friends!

Beauty And The Beach

Fudge, Fudge, Call The Judge!

2011-05-27T22:18:00.001-07:00

Mama's got a newborn bayyy-by...... well, I guess I forgot to sing some of our old jump rope songs while jumping rope yesterday. Maybe it wasn't so much "forget" as it was "couldn't sing AND jump at the same time".... Nope...not a blonde joke! For real.

Even Biff said I looked so serious that my face seemed to be frozen with fear...well, maybe that's just my determined face? Nope....it was concentration!

There were some technical difficulties...how can jumping rope have technical difficulties?

1. The rope was too long
2. I seemed to have lost my rythym...maybe that's what all of the songs were for!
3. Biff was counting for me...I felt jump rope performance anxiety!

Initially, I could barely get to ten. After adjusting the rope, I felt my six year old spirit fly.... twenty...twenty five....thirty....and I got it back! Biff walked the dogs along side while I skipped down the hill and circled back up the hill.

It sounds like a cute little hop, skip and a jump doesn't it? Well....no. I was sweating...not like a soft and dry commercial but like a marathon runner south of the border. I was panting, desperate for water. My hair was as poofed out as it could be. My legs were shaking...maybe up the hill was pushing it. But really? I'm not over the hill yet...or am I and I just didn't get the memo!

Then I remembered I had to be at an event in 25 minutes...the fun and games were over...literally! I had just showered hours before after walking the dogs to the beach...and being wagged on! Back to shower again.

I went to the event and hours later I collapsed into bed. When I woke up this morning it wasn't clear, at first, why evvverrryyyy-singggg-lllleee bone in my body felt stiff. Did I have whiplash? Fitzy doesn't pull that hard at the beach. Wow! How hard did I whip those sticks out in the water for Daisy? Lifting a few groceries?

As I plunked my body down the stairs, one step at a time, it came to me. Jump rope. Something as innocent as jump rope? Really?

I treated myself to a pedicure today! After pounding on those piggies, they needed a little lovin'. After all, it's Memorial Day weekend....beach season is official! Uh oh....better get out that jump rope again....or maybe hop scotch will do...hide and seek? or stick with low impact catching lightning bugs.

2011-05-26T19:40:00.001-07:00

Cat-atonic?

Are you tired or listless? Do you poop out at parties? A semi-quote from.the I Love Lucy TV show. Is little Boo depressed? He's been jumping up at this commercial. Then again, if we all listen carefully to this commercial we'll all be depressed. Just listening to the advertisement is depressing! It's like they want us to be depressed...

On A Clear Day

2011-05-26T11:21:00.001-07:00

Not! We've gone from spring to summer in 24 hours. Hazy, hot and humid...sweaty, sweatier and sweatiest. I win the prize. The dogs had a swim...smelly, smellier and smelliest. They win. I hope! What of it's me? Oh don't worry, the kids will be home soon...they'll tell me. One thing about teenagers, they tell it like it is!

just a few...
"mom! the dogs smell"
"what are you cooking? it smells gross!"
"mom, dad, please don't embarrass us"
"dad...I hate to tell you but your jokes aren't funny. So stop. Really"
"mom, what is that lipstick color? it's just wrong."
"Dad...please don't come to my game after mountain biking. You're a mess."

That's just the tip of the iceberg! Funny how each one is all about them! Except for the lipstick...and Grace was right. It wasn't my color!

Lights Out!

2011-05-25T21:57:00.001-07:00

Do You See What I See?

To Do

2011-05-25T21:51:00.001-07:00

I know. I know. A place for everything and everything in it's place, as mom used to say. The lawn was just mowed. the lawn. I went outside with the dogs tonight ...we have a light out in the backyard... it's out...as in needs a new bulb. It's been out for awhile now.

Life gets busy. When we enter the house in daylight, we don't think of replacing the light. When we come home in the dark, it's not a good time to replace the bulb. I suppose other people might write it on a to do list. By the time I get inside I'm on to the next thing....kids, kitties,dogs, groceries, dinner.

Tonight, I took the dogs out ...very dark...tripped over the lawn mower...walked into the front... fell over the flat motor in the front and kept going until i hit the push handle with my forehead and landed on the pushing handle...with the motor tipped up in the air behind me...my feet up in the air and out of my clogs .

It happened so fast...it hurt so much...it surprised me...it was late...i was alone. Then I realized Daisy and Fitzy were standing by me...more confused than me! I told them what happened, my frustration, my hurts....they listened. I felt better.

Head Over Heels For The Lawnmower

Sun, Sun, Sun, Here We Come

2011-05-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

Wow! Waking up to sunshine is a delight. I feel a bounce in my step again! I feel blessed to have the energy to take on any little thing that comes my way. Most days. I especially appreciate this since my "hypothyroid" slowed me down...before I was aware of this common 40 something occurrence in my body. Slow was not a speed I was too familiar with.

Slow. Sleepy. Lethargic. Like swimming through seaweed. Was it depression? Certainly there were many life events....loss..family illnesses... big life changes that could have made that a consideration. How could that have been a possibility when l was given so many blessings for which I was most grateful. Depression isn't a flaw. It's not about grateful vs. ungrateful after all. It's chemistry.

So many things to consider when a body isn't performing at top speed! As a mom, we don't always take the time to stop and listen to our body and it's signals. Its not convenient. We have so many others to look out for.

My body finally called out. I was even becoming clumsy. That was what stopped me in my tracks....quite literally. I fell off Biff's bike(too tall) and hit my head...got a concussion...doctor...catscan...tests ....my blood test showed low thyroid which explained so much!

The change was incredible once I began taking my thyroid supplement. My energy level slowly returned. I felt like me again!

The sun is out today after weeks of very gray days! Those gray days had me wondering....is it me? Why do I feel so slow and tired? Guess what? I think the weather was taking a toll on many of us. Today is a new day with brightness and the energy all over seems better. Phew! I'm. off for a good long walk with the dogs...as usual, but with sunshine! And T.J. Oh. Did I forget to mention he was feeling under the weather today? He stayed home from school. I'm getting him out in the sunshine too, sore throat or not. The sunshine is healing....for everyone!

Snack Time!

2011-05-24T21:27:00.001-07:00

Oh wait! Grace and T.J. are teenagers. Then why are all of the kitchen cabinets still open? They can certainly reach them these days. How about the dishes in the sink? How is it possible to fill a sink so quickly? Hey! The garbage isn't full...that's good news. Oh...not quite. Everything's all over the counters. There's more on the kitchen table. Follow the trail.....to the kids in the family room. T.V. is on. IPhone in use. Computer has music playing. The blackberry is beeping. The white noise of family.

Nevermind. I'm grateful they're home. I'm grateful that their crumbs are in our floor. I'm grateful they're sitting and talking with me. I'm grateful they're laughing together and having fun. It's all good.

It's a good thing I'm not perfect....I can lower my expectations!

No! It Was Clean YESTERDAY!

Here We Go Again

2011-05-24T20:56:00.001-07:00

Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. I potted the Geraniums for the deck...Impatiens in the blue ceramic pots on the front steps and Coleus for the window boxes in the back.

Inside.. so clean UNTIL the kids take over the kitchen for after school snacks. Outside...dirt...dirty...dirtier...dirtiest...all of the planting...no gloves...really dirty ...oops. Inside with sneakers...white floor...not so much anymore!

Back to the drawing board!

We Are Family

2011-05-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

Cousins. These days it's not so easy to get everyone together....distance..family scheduling..kids' activities...work. We do our best.

Sometimes we have.to think like Nike,"Just Do It!" rather than wait. Sometimes we wait....trying to get everyone at the same time, in the same place, with the same people. That's quite the challenge.

Thanks to Facebook, we were able to coordinate a wonderful day with cousins...from Biff's side...although since we've been married, Biff and I have no "sides"....we have "our" family. It's such fun to get together at home ...share the dogs,cats, kids and tbe beach, laugh, tell stories, see things and family from a different perspective, learn little bits of family history...and have the time to really know each other...now, as adults, on our own terms.

Biff, the kids, the cousins and I had a blast! And they brought cake and cookies from one of my favorite bakeries! Coffee and bagels, beach, dinner, home for dessert and coffee...talk and a funny movie. A vacation in a bottle day!

Best of all, they're coming back soon. Think of what we might have missed if we waited until....until...until. We just did it and we're so glad we did. Simple abundance...family fun.

.

Cat Scratch Fever

2011-05-21T08:46:00.001-07:00

Daisy and Fitzy averting their eyes ... inside they're thinking, c'mon already. You're a cat!

Just Hanging Around

2011-05-20T21:59:00.001-07:00

Boo suddenly jumped, flew through the air and clung to the screen of the window....latched himself onto the screen. Hanging there, he seemed to be trying to prove to me that he meant to do that. Yup. Uh huh. Here I am attached to the living room window screen. Weee! Lookk at me Daisy, Fitzy, T.J. and mom! Now I'm really having fun. You bet! I'm loving it!

I sometimes feel embarrassed for Boo when he gets himself into this kind of predicament. Really. It's awkward! For all of us. HmmmmMmmmm...we' not paying attention Boo. It's. not like we feel your pain..la-di-da.

He jumps up at the windows and doors when he sees a fly, a moth or a leaf. Sadly, he jumps up on the glass and goes plummeting down...bump. Oh sure, like he meant to do that. I wasn't born yesterday. Doesn't he have any dignity?

Frankly, I don't like to offer help in these situations. I mean, Boo is a cat...it may leave him feeling less than feline. It may diminish his confidence as a cat. Maybe we won't have to let the cat out of the bag....ssshhhhhh.

To Market, To Market

2011-05-20T21:12:00.001-07:00

Here in Connecticut, spring is officially here when the farmer's markets fill the town greens. Each market has it's own energy. Staying at the local market or visiting out of town, it's a taste of the simpler life and natural goodness.

With folk music, flowers, herbs, fish, soaps, meats and cheeses. Folks of all ages bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets scattered all over green grass, toddlers dancing and spinning, babies in backpacks, grandparents with grandchildren, tourists and teenagers

Imagine how it was long ago...the town green...the meeting place...news...families...happenings ...activities
...politics...music...the place to be. Now, some find it kitchy. Ironic. Everything old is new again.

Sun, Sun, Sun, Here We Come

2011-05-20T20:07:00.001-07:00

Another gray day. Until it/ changes ...for awhile. I change my clothes. Grace and T.J. arrive home after school as the sun begins to shine. Yay! It's Friday. I love the weekends. Always have, always will.

The kids are exhausted by Friday. It's nice to have them laying low after school...relaxed having some "chill time"...for now. Grace has to babysit. T.J. has no plans...til tomorrow. After making some "indoor s'mores" and chatting, I was off to walk Daisy and Fitz.

We walked down to the beach....in sunshine. "Walking in Sunshine," as the song goes. Beautiful.

Kayaks are beginning to spot the racks...soon these racks will be full with colors like a pack of Lifesavers candy. The pop of color delights my eyes and reminds me it's time to get our kayaks to the beach...and the sailboat too.

Dogs swim and shake sell over...me. Who cares! It's sunny! Sea glass sparkles on the dry sand....heaven. Heavenly. Life is good. I'm grateful for the little things....I go home and change clothes...it's a bit damp. Here we go again!

Mud Room

2011-05-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's true. It's Connecticut after all. Everyone has a "mud room" at the back door. Well, almost everyone. We have the back door. Oh wait...sometimes the front door. There are mud rooms that are as formal as the Oval Office and there are mud rooms as basic as hooks and a bench with everything in between. I'm not sure when the mud room came into existence…it is definitely a New England thing…certainly now that our living is just a bit more rural than suburban. Now we have dirt, boots, sand, sneakers, dirt, hiking shoes, sand, sandals and shoes….and paws! Lots of paws…with dogs who could use their own mud room. For the dogs, we have the ever coveted Billy Maes ShamWow as seen on TV! Don't laugh! It works! I'm a real live testimonial!

Growing up in my lovely suburban bedroom community, we didn't have mudrooms...we kept our shoes on. There was a mat to wipe our feet, even in our upscale community...just a mat. Kids just kept their shoes on....unless a mom was the type that didn't want the kids in the living room. The front door was a clue, an unwritten kid code that signaled the type of house we were entering.

As we walked in the door, instantly we could sense the atmosphere. Shoes...on or off. Check. Everything perfectly in place with no sign of life. Check. Volume in the house. Check. Some houses were ultra quiet, uncomfortably quiet. Check. Whoop! Whoop! Playdar! Our playdar went off! This is a show house....this house is fun! The mom has lots of rules. Check. Playdar let us know how to behave. Tiptoe shoes off house or skip shoes on house? By the way, the skipping, shoes on house had better snacks too!

Houses are different. Families are different. Energy kicks in right at the door...or mudroom. Just wondering, is Martha Stewart reponsible for the mudroom? What kind of energy does your home have? Really, all that matters to me...to make everyone welcome.

I try not to send the signal that I'm one of "those" moms. I don't want to be THAT mom, as Grace and T.J. say. Funny but I'm not thinking I stand a chance to be THAT mom. Byt thte way, THAT mom might run right out of our house without a specific place to keep her shoes….and we don't often wear slippers…we're not THAT family either! Don't get me started. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Weather Or Not

2011-05-19T22:22:00.001-07:00

Weather. Everyone's talking about it. Rain. Wind. Damp. Windbreaker. Slicker. Polarfleece vest. Pants. Rainboots. Sandals. Shorts. Skirts. Sneakers. Sweater. Tee Shirts. Baseball cap. Socks. Sweatshirts.

All of the clothing worn in the last 2 days....hot. cold. steamy. damp. sunny Wndy. Blue skies. Thunder. Chilly.

3 clothing changes before 5 p.m.

Do you know what all of this means? It's back to the dungeon with a gigantic pile of laundry! Happy weekend? Don't worry...the weathers report is for partly cloudy wit some rain and maybe some sun...probably damp until it dries up...in which case it may be warm with a breeze it cold with wind unless the sun peeks out and heats things up. Maybe. Sometime. Or not.

What's a Connecticut girl to wear?

2011-05-19T21:58:00.001-07:00

Love

Red

Chatty Catty

2011-05-18T22:15:00.001-07:00

Every now and then T.J.mentions to me that I'm talking to him in the same tone that I talk to the dogs. Oh! I probably should mention the way I talk to the cats too.

It's true. I'm quite aware that I use the tone...we all do it. Biff, Grace and T.J. too. Grace pops in the door after school and squeals, "Feets! ....Dooog! ....Buddhist! .....Blink!" Translation: Fitz, Daisy....Boo..Jinx. And I'm the one being reminded? Hmmm. Kaley, Grace's BFF, told me I was talking to her like I talk to the dogs...I told her she should be flattered! I love our dogs.

Once, when Biff's brother was visiting, in the middle of a conversation, we noticed Grace's new kitty attempting to jump up onto the kitchen counter.......instantly we all sang out,"MEHHH-HEHHH!!!!" Ed burst out laughing and choked out,"I'm afraid to ask!"

So when i get a little reminder from T.J., it's not with the same teenage sarcastic tone or disillusioned look that he might give me when I ask the name of the song on his i-phone. It's not the pained look he gives me when I mention my twitter name to a friend....or that shake of his head when my blog is being discussed. His reminder is merely a cue to catch myself before I ramble on throughout the day speaking animal speak. At least I think that's why he calls it to my attention.

It's not that T.J. doesn't chat in his own "talk to the animals" tone of voice...he understands. It's the other people. I think T.J., like any other teenager we know, is desperately afraid that I'll continue my animal speak at the grocery store or at a school event. Really.

After all, the sole job of our teenagers is to monitor us or do damage control for every situation they have to be seen in public with us, the parents. That's quite a full time job! I wonder how Grace and T.J. can go to school with the responsibilty of reeling us in. Oh well, we manage to get by...until we're out with them in public again.

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again

2011-05-17T18:36:00.001-07:00

Wet Dog Days

2011-05-17T18:22:00.001-07:00

Yes it's the day after...cleaning, scrubbing, mopping, washing, wiping, steaming. Today...wet dogs! Wet dogs smell. They shake. Paw prints on the white tile floor. Life. Life goes on...and on and on. I love our family, including dogs and cats and muddy prints, way more than the white tile floor...most of the time...just kidding...kind of. It's just more challenging the day after the mean clean.

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Looking Out My Back Door!

Ashlaen Farm Coffee, Old Lyme, Ct

2011-05-17T15:48:00.001-07:00

Here in Connecticut it's a treasure to have a family run farm reinvented by roasting coffee, serving it fresh in the small coffee bar right there at the farm. What a step back in time..a real niche for locals to meet and swap stories, coo at new babies, keep up on local news and events.

Always greeted with smiles, a warm hello and immediate attention to the business at hand....putting a cup of steaming hot coffee in my hand.

It's the people, the place and the atmosphere...horses and random farm animals outside add to the peaceful, natural beauty while the interesting and friendly people that make it all a pleasure. I stop in for just a moment to get a morning jolt and ironically stopping at the farm gives is a little treasure....slowing down! For a mom, that's a good thing!

Do you have a favorite place that slows you down or gives you peace?

Cuddle Kitten

It's been a busy day. Finally I mademo it home between the raindrops and downpours....I took a moment to flop on the plumped up couch while reading my emails....suddenly Boo appeared and as if calling to me with a trill so I was aware he was ready to pounce, get some cozy time while nestling into my arm, settling in, purring and falling asleep. He was so sweet, stretching across my arm, I took those minutes to enjoy the quiet and his warmth on such a damp day.

Grace and T.J. arrived home from school just as my arm began falling asleep....funny because they don't think I do anything while they're at school. Now they have proof. Bon Bon mom!

More Laundry

2011-05-16T23:18:00.001-07:00

just when I thought I was safe.after 7,658 loads of laundry today...in between taking out 214 bags of trash for the garbage collector, scrubbing bathrooms and attempting to look like a glamorous, put together stylin' wife/mom and dog walker (glamormama)....I heard footsteps coming downstairs long after our Good night and God Bless You's were through...maybe 10:30p.m.? It was T.J. He called, mid-staircase, "Mom, did my khakis get washed? I have to wear them tomorrow."

O.k. Practically the only thing unwashed? The khakis. I probably didn't need to tell you that...if you're a mom!

A Yogi Berra Monday...it ain't over til it's over and it's not over yet! I'm going to bed. It's after midnight. I put the khakis in tbe wash. First, I moved the load in the washer to the dryer. I poured in my Tide with bleach and closed the lid. I pushed the power button and went on my way.

About an hour later, I went to switch the laundry to the dryer.......Horror! Ahhh thr agony! Apparently, in my enthusiastic attempt to do yet another load of laundry, I must have skipped off after pushing "power" but not the "start" button. The khakisare on spin cycle and I'm on fluff...my pillow, that is. I'll have to switch the khakis to the dryer in the morning....when I wake up...if I wake up...in time to put the pants in the dryer..and remember to push the start button..or maybe I should just do the switch now???

What's a mother to do?

..

Me. Now. Tonight. Or Is It Tomorrow Already?

"Mom? My khakis?"......the first words I'll hear in the morning. Yawn. Zzzzzzz.

Forgot The List

2011-05-16T21:26:00.001-07:00

As I skipped throughout the aisles at the grocery store, hunting and gathering dinner, I made it throught the fruits and veggies before it hit me. The list! I forgot the list. Again.

There I was smack in the middle of the meat department with no idea what to make for dinner The meat department is not usually my kind of place to linger but I have been working on my Becky Home Becky skills...like cooking. It's not that I can't cook...it's just that I've been boiling water and tossing in a different pasta every night....for years! Dinnertime is challenging...although pasta works with many dishes.

Grace is 16...her meal of choice is still pasta...white pasta. Peas or frozen Lima beans. Thankfully, T.J. has branched out in his Epicurean delights...although he doesn't eat peas...or frozen lima beans....or oatmeal, another staple in Grace's culinary repertoire.

Try not to judge...we all have to pick our own battles. Yours may not be food ...it may be school...or hair....or clothing...or friends...or homework....the battles go on and on. I didn't eat lasagna until college because I didn't like the name...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. By the way, Grace and T.J. both like apples.

Yes, we are an odd bunch. Speaking of bunches, bananas were one of Grace's favorite fruits...until they weren't. T.J. still likes banana. Both kids liked meatloaf...until one day at age 4 when Grace stopped liking meatloaf...and every meat. T.J. likes a variety of meats. Grace doesn't eat sandwiches. Or jelly. Yes for peanut butter on Ritz crackers. T.J. likes sandwiches. They both like waffles. Grace loves scrambled eggs...You guessed it....T.J. not so much. They both like cereal...Cracklin' Oat Bran yes...Grace doesn't care for Cheerios...T.J. does. They both like clementines, oranges, grapes, melons and strawberries. Raisins for.T.J, not for Grace.

Funny, I guess I should have made a fruit salad for dinner. Don't say it...you're thinking we're a bunch of fruits. Yup...maybe even mixed up. It makes life interesting.

Cleaning Lady

2011-05-16T10:58:00.001-07:00

Mondays are like that. Why is the house even more upside down when we have a whole weekend to get it right side up? I guess I know the answer. Considering my mom taught me there's a place for everything and everything on it's place, you'd think I'd have caught on by now.

She's also the one who taught me to make the bed first thing in the morning so if all else fails, at least your bed looks pretty and it pulls the room together. At least I caught on to that tid bit of wisdom...or really, now I think it might have been the working mom's attempt to get it all done!

Oh! One other thing she taught me...if your house is perfectly spotless, then you're not having any fun. I guess I've been having too much fun....until today.

NOT!

Monday Morning Mellow

2011-05-16T03:37:00.001-07:00

Gray day. Damp. Drizzly. Oh to cuddle up under the comforters again.

Bookstore Date

2011-05-15T18:07:00.001-07:00

We've been going on bookstore dates from the very beginning. Biff and I love books. Today was a lazy, rainy day at home until early afternoon. We took some time to get out on our own. Sometimes we just need our own time....it's still a treat. It's not about where or what...it's just time for us to be alone...together. So we spent some time, side by side, in the bookstore. Reading. Sharing. Talking. Just a couple of hours....so sweet.

We called the kids and told them to get ready....we all went out for dinner for some family fun together.

Ladies And Gentlemen

2011-05-15T11:15:00.001-07:00

Oops! He forgot to open the car door! His parent's jumped! How could you forget. We reminded you of that's earlier. You're supposed to be a gentleman! We all laughed. Awkward moments. Grace glided over to her car door...business as usual.

Pre- Prom Moments

2011-05-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

How can it be possible? Our little girl is all dressed up to go to prom. It may not be her prom...her day will be soon enough! The boy invited her about a month ago. He arrived with yellow roses the day he came to ask Grace to the prom....sweet? Yes. Kodak commercial? Yes! Our little girl was asked to the prom...by a boy she knows from the winter ski bus.

It's prom day. It's time.

Fancy That!

2011-05-15T10:48:00.001-07:00

Glamorama!

2011-05-14T22:59:00.001-07:00

Pre-Prom-Prep-Pic

2011-05-14T22:48:00.001-07:00

At the hair salon. Not the 1st hair salon with the crazy appointment time....12:30p.m. Yes. 5 hours before prom. Wait. No. Cancelled.

Really. The ONLY appointment! The prom is at 7p.m. Called another salon...and another...and another. Uh oh.

Grace was calm. We decided I could handle the curly locks pony tail that she wanted. No problem. Until I realized the mother daughter hair involvements I've lived through over the years. I called some salons in post prom towns. Score! 4:15!

I had just told the kids my traumatic story. The horror! Scarred for life because of my mom .....taking picture after picture of the wrong girl at a rather important 6th grade event. On the night before the momentous occasion, my mother curled my hair with pink foam curlers...lots and lots of pink foam curlers. My hair was so curly the next day...my own mother, the same woman who had given birth to me...only 11 years before...took pictures of the wrong girl.

I waved. Quietly. It didn't seem appropriate to create a scene. Mom. Mom. Hi mom, it's me...over here. When the film was developed, we had a whole roll of the other 11 year old...you know, the 11 year old with the straight hair. Maybe 2 pictures of me.

Issues? Who? Me? You betcha. I couldn't. let history repeat itself. Off we went to the 4:15

Pins And Needles

2011-05-14T21:43:00.001-07:00

Prom Prep. Yup. Me....sewing. Just saying..just a little pressure...prom dress...the TOP of the prom dress...for our little girl. Yup. Uh huh. Hmmm. It's probably a good idea that the top of the dress stay ON! Pray for us! For real.

Just Sitting On A Saturday

2011-05-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

T.J. and I were just sitting. Quietly. Chatting about the simple stuff. No agenda. No rush. Just sitting. Cats. Dogs. Biff passing by. Stopping. Talking. Sitting. Grace singing. Pausing to listen. Sitting. Me. Biff. T.J. Grace. Dogs. Cats.Petting. Cell phones. Messages. Chatting. Facebook. Chatting. Commenting. Laughing. Comfy. Calm. Quiet. Family.

Double Fluff Oreos

2011-05-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

2011-05-14T17:04:00.001-07:00

If It Looks To Good To Be True...

2011-05-13T19:29:00.001-07:00

It is! That's what Mr.O told our friends long ago. Those words of wisdom, so simple, are words to remember. When things (or people or boyfriends or vacation rentals or jobs) look too good to be true....we don't like to question things.

We deserve good things and good people! We're having fun. Life is good. No. Life is great! It's all so intoxicating...we're living the dream. Finally. We think it's finally our time...our big break...our chance...our true love...that we've waited for so long.

Until...a shoe drops. Clunk. On our head..or heart...or paycheck. It's not until the clunk on the head that it all clicks....like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces all begin to fit together. Little by little...we become acutely aware that there were clues that we eithee ignored or dismissed. Clunk. Click.

I'm watching another Dateline NBC story about a woman who married her "soulmate," a successful, well-educated,highly regarded surgeon,romantic, wealthy, genius...that's just the tip of the iceberg...or the click of the puzzle piece. I HAD to watch. The setting of the story...Greek Islands...Yacht...bikini blonde...billion dollar doc....and when she woke up, he was missing. Gone. Adios. Sionara.

Mr.O's words of wisdom...the words that follow the words, "by-the-way," are usually followed with unpleasant news.

By the way, if your lover, newly married bride or hot date is invited to vacation or honeymoon on a yacht, cruise or scuba diving, don't do it. They always end up dead..or they are leading a double life. "By the way," if it looks too good to be true.....it is.

Why is it so clear when we see other people falling? I guess we all learn in our own time. By the way, I hate when that happens.

It's Alarming

2011-05-10T22:42:00.001-07:00

My grocery shopping extravaganza...in reverse order. Just an average day.

20**Delicious steak and fabulous salad is served! Oops..how did I forgetting the potatoes?

19**Started grill.

18**Carried ALL of the groceries into the house. No way would I let Fitz get our steak and Twizzlers.

17**Drove off...thinking about the nice people out there.

16** So nice. The lovely woman thought it was her car. I confessed it was mine.

15. Nice woman in the next parking space stops to pet Daisy and Fitz. She asked if her car alarm scared my dogs.

15**Finally quiet.

14** Apologized to dogs for the whoop whoop noise.

13**Ran out to car, put key in to stop whoop whoop whoop blaring noise!

12**Found keys in little hand basket under checkout counter.

11** Run to checkout. nope. salads.nope. meat department. nope. magazines. nope. cereal. nope.back to cashier. to customer service.Run back into store to find keys while car alarm whoops!

10 **Get outside to car with no car keys....dogs in car...windows open a bit....stuck arm in and unlocked car. whoop.whoop. whoop. whoop. whoop. whoop. Good Samaritan leaves in a hurry when alarm started whooping.

9*** Nice gentleman asks if I need help with my car door. Hung up on friend.

8**Walk out to car with groceries, chatting with old friend on cell phone, I realize I have no car keys.

7**Take the little basket for shopping since it will be a quick shop..salad, steak, cereal. and uh, oh yeah ...replacement Twizzlers...I'm in the mood. After these, I probably won't want them fir months!

6**Run into store

5** Leave all car windows open a bit for doggies. Tell Daisy and Fitzy that I'll be right back.

4**Nice parking space...dogs have a nice location for people watching.

3**Drive to grocery store, sunroof and all windows open...singing to an old "Boston " song...no kids in car to complain about my "old school" music. Dogs happy with the wind blowing their beautiful golden fur...and mine too.

2**Get in car with the dogs in the back seat. Start off to grocery store.

1**T.J. and I were talking about dinner. I asked what he was I. the mood for...we settled on steak on the grill for tonight. Better get out to the grocery store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHBG3ABUJU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

2011-05-10T11:57:00.001-07:00

Yes. It's me. This is my life.

Not Again?

2011-05-10T09:42:00.001-07:00

Biff poked his head in the door just moments after he walked out the door to drive off to his office......he quizzed me, "Just as a reference point, how many Twizzlers were remaining in the pack you left in the car?"

Uh oh. Fitz has been out in the car(her crate? no. more like her condo)...oh no...she didn't? ...yes she did!

She just digested her big gummy blue sharks! Just! Just! And her we go...3/4 pack of twisty twizzlers. Mmmmmwwwaaaaooooo..Blech!

Not Again?

2011-05-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

My Mom And Me

2011-05-09T19:55:00.001-07:00

Connected from the beginning. I was blessed to have her love. I miss her everyday. I treasure the memories.

Have A Cup

2011-05-09T17:27:00.001-07:00

Half a cup? No. Have a cup! Pick out your favorite cup...it's your special mom cup...to take home.

Everyone was confused. I have collected lots of pretty cups over the years. It's a nice time to share....with other moms... as a little Mothers Day treat to ourselves. Moms have to take care of each other, look out for one another. The business of motherhood is tough stuff. We have to stick together...to learn from each other ...mistakes and all!

Have a cup!

Monday Morning Post Mother's Day Moms Coffee

2011-05-09T17:11:00.001-07:00

All of the goodies are on the table. Strawberries, grapes, crumb cake, croissants, sugar, milk, juices, sparkling water ...and it's time to make the coffee. The fresh grounds are on the counter next to the Keurig Coffee Maker...so easy. Friends will be arriving anytime after 9. It's time for my coffee...I'll have that in hand so noone has to wait for their morning jolt. My coffee with a splash of milk is perfect.

Mari arrives...big hellos and hugs! We haven't seen each other in ages. I find a spot on the windowsill for the Aloe Vera plant Mari brought.

Prepare the Keurig for Mari's morning wake up call. We talk while we wait...patiently. We have lots to catch up on. Hmmmm. Her cup is half full....literally ....and metaphorically!

Half full coffee in the morning in a coffee drinker's world is definitely half empty. We panic.We laugh. The Keurig? The fancy pants coffee machine? NO! Let me get this straight. I've invited a million moms for coffee...alright, maybe 10 or so.....and I have NO working coffee maker! Giggling ensues.

Thankfully, I've invited my neighbor over too. She's home all morning and planning to come. I call her. Hi...remember how I invited you for a little Monday morning post Mother's Day coffee? Yes. Would you have a coffee maker that I can use? Yippee! You saved the day! GOOD MORNING MOMS. Mom's can handle anything!

Mom's Monday Morning Post Mother's Day Coffee

2011-05-08T20:19:00.001-07:00

Last week. My idea.... coffee...our house...some other moms. Just a fun way to get together with some of the fabulous moms I've met over the years, thanks to our kids.

It seems we never have time to just chat. It's time to chat tomorrow....it's late...I'm tired...exhausted from roller blading with Biff. I'd better start cleaning up around here...vacuuming, windexing, sweeping and putting out some coffee cups....and pretty napkins...and some flowers...and some trays.

I'm not trying to impress them....I'm just hoping to be able to let them in the door. Once they get in the door, I'm hoping to avoid the possibility of someone tripping over flip flops or topsiders or rain boots or a dog bowl or a dog leash...or a dog! A mother's work is never done...literally.Happy Mother's Day.

Thanks For A Great Day!

2011-05-08T19:27:00.001-07:00

Breakfast In Bed

2011-05-08T13:31:00.001-07:00

Yes it's true! Breakfast in bed. The all time number one Mother's Day dream come true. Sort of. Kind of. Maybe. Almost.

As Biff entered the bedroom followed by Grace and T.J., he and I gave each other a knowing nod.

It was a sweet moment. Here we are all together on the morning of the day we all celebrate our mothers....a day created by Hallmark. A day of forced loving and giving...ahhh....a lovely spring day created for the moms of America...that causes more stress than a house full of monkeys!. The right card from Hallmark, the perfect Zales diamond gift, perky flowers from FTD and dinner out with the whole family at Red Lobster or Olive Garden...at least, that's what the commercials suggest.

As the kids get older, their enthusiasm fades for the precious attempt to serve the ultimate surprise for mom, waking up early for the kitchen whirlwind of adventure making burnt toast slathered with butter and gobs of jam....lukewarm coffee with grounds clinging to the perimeter of the mug, a wilted flower yanked from the garden placed in the most treasured wedding gift handed down for generations..... hand colored cards on construction paper with giant hearts and misspelled words...all on an unsteady tray....hopefully all with supervision of their dad, overtired and overwhelmed by the sunrise surprise party for mom. The reality for most moms I know....is a very strained day...since the commercials have insisted that good children in nice families are publicly displaying their love and affection...dammit!

Teenagers would most likely prefer sleep rather than saccharin smiles so early in the day but they know the drill by now...so they rolled out of bed for their required performance.

We all laugh at ourselves. Its clear that dad pulled it together while the kids caught a couple more winks. We take a few moments sitting in the tousled comforters to look back at so many other magical Mother's Days. I look at our family...squished together...as I sip my lukewarm coffee and bite my burnt toast....and I couldn't be happier. This is my new magic! The burnt toast couldn't be better. I'm so grateful to be s so blessed as a mom.

"Mom "

2011-05-08T10:08:00.001-07:00

I wore this ring yesterday. Grace looked astonished," oh my gosh...it's so tacky. I can't believe you wore that!"

Tacky? Perhaps. Just a tad tacky. She bought it with all of her love and enthusiasm. Grace was 9., old enough to want to take on her own gift shopping. She asked Biff to take her to Walmart to select her gift. She knew it immediately ....this was it!

I said thats partly why it's so special. "you were so proud that you picked it out yourself." "But mom, it's so cheesy. I'm sorry."

"That's why I love it.That's what makes it so special! That's when you loved me!" We both laughed. Priceless!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T23:36:00.001-07:00

1923. We've come a long way baby!

Happy Mothers Day!

2011-05-07T23:25:00.001-07:00

Grandma...@1906

Derby Day

2011-05-07T22:35:00.001-07:00

So many Derby Day memories. It's such a lovely time of year to get dressed up a bit for a late afternoon party! Oh wait...I forgot...that's how it used to be.

Today I'm wearing my Nantucket red shorts, Ralph Lauren navy and white striped 3/4 sleeve knit shirt...and bare feet...add a bit of golden fur, some sand and sea glass...we're. all set. Today we're lounging in the family room...my Biff has on Levi's with dirt from yardwork, a dirty tee shirt with heavy sweat...my man. Our dogs have that outdoorsy smell of beach, wet dog and dog breath from eating Lord knows what in the woods! And the kids....

I digress. Things are different...and very nice in the comfort of our own home with a family we love and all of our animals...smelly or not!

Our dress up Derby Day parties are memories. Our days at New York City brownstones, Southampton lawns and Westchester patios ......mingling with friends and friends of friends...chattery cocktail conversation while toasting with official Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby, Mint Julep filled glasses seems a lifetime ago.

Today's cup of cider in a plastic cup, corn chips and our kids, comfortable in Connecticut is all I could have wished for! Way back when was fun....glad we had those days ...happy to look back.....so grateful for the love we have and life we live. Now is very, very good. Thankfully.

Wait! I've Got My Derby Hat Too!

Southern Comfort

A Daisy Date

2011-05-07T14:07:00.001-07:00

Dog Paddling

It's Like Money In The Bank!

2011-05-07T13:54:00.001-07:00

Grace had plenty on her agenda today HOWEVER sometimes her teenage agenda is all about her...like most teenagers. When I stopped her from spouting out her list of "needs" and "have to's" in order to hear my list of things to do.... she was bothered when my agenda included work. Parents always ruin everything. I hate when that happens.

After some further "discussion" I "suggested" she come with me to walk Daisy....just Daisy. I took Grace hostage so we could take time to get things sorted out...plans...needs...wants...demands. Hostage negotiations...sort of!

I'd like to say we went skipping down the lane together
but no. She pouted a bit. I ignored that and talked to Daisy, our great mediator. I decided to show Grace one of my favorite walks, with the beach as our destination.

It worked! We walked and talked and life got better...for both of us. One thing for sure, Grace is fun to be with...even if I'm not her first choice to pal around with. I'm happy for that...at least, I'm happy it's normal! I'd also be happy if it was more like the Cleaver's...I keep trying to remind myself that real life isn't The Brady Bunch, The Walton's or Father Knows Best! The Adam's Family, maybe!

We arrived at the beach and saw someone from sailing...the little sister of a friend. We all chatted, through sticks for Daisy, they walked the beach and collected sea glass....it was delightful. We all left the beach together.

As my mom always said, it's so good to get up and out in your town, seeing people you know...it's like money in the bank! Time spent with our kids at the beach is like money in the bank too. I remember a little old woman stopped Biff and I after church to tell us how beautiful our babies were....she said,"oh my what a beautiful family! You have a boy and a girl! You have it all...you're millionnares!" Ain't that'd the truth! My time spent with Grace...priceless.

One More For The Road

2011-05-06T22:57:00.001-07:00

So Sweet!

2011-05-06T22:51:00.001-07:00

More. You see, I was distracted. I took out a bunch of the candy I had hidden ...in a hefty bag...put it down...went back into the house.....and who even knows what she ate... I'm sure Daisy joined in the festivities. I think Daisy has figured out, while the cat's away, the dogs will play....and if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Fitzy Goes Frat Party

It looked like the day after. Containers strewn everywhere, wrappers, chunks of plastic....hangover.

Dum Dums

2011-05-06T22:42:00.001-07:00

Mmmmhmmmm. Fitzy's got a sweet tooth. Or a sweet nose. I'll admit it's my fault. In the midst of tossing out hidden candy...from Easter and Grace's birthday (o.k. I know sometimes I forget that I hide things...until I've found them! In my world, everyday is Christmas morning!)
I hid the candy from us...the people in our family. We had way too much. I also have to hide food/candy way up high....you guessed it...because of Fitz.

We act like it's normal. Friends see us grab a kitchen chair, slide it over to the pantry and tuck food/candy/gum up high. We don't even notice anymore.

Don't tell Grace or T.J. ....shhhh...yesterday, Grace and I bought some cider donuts at the farm along with lots of other groceries....we got home, lugged in most of the groceries but somehow the donuts got left behind. Later,Biff had Daisy and Fitz jump in the car.....Fitzy lunged for the plastic donut container, somehow gulped down a bite or 2, Biff threw himself into the rear of the car and squished between the 2nd row passenger seats!(*please take a moment to get the visual...imagine gutteral sounds coming out of my husband while foisting his whole body after our 4 legged beast, who had a mouthful...Biff clamped his handsome her snoot, shook out the robbed, slobbery wet chunks of donut while barking out orders, NO%#@ DROP IT #*+NO**# NO@%+) As Biff worked his angle, I swung ooen the door, swooped into the back seat and grabbed the donut magnet. Phew!

At first, I admit I panicked. These farm donuts are coveted in our home...I knew word would be out that donuts were in the house. Thinking on my feet...maybe a bit of sweat on my brow...after taming the beast who had made quite a donut dent, I placed them back in their plastic container...after cutting off the chunks that our four legged friend had eaten....I cut them all into halves.

Fact1. Kids would blame me if Fitz ate their share of donuts
Fact 2. Kids would blame Fitzy
Fact 3. kids would tell me it's because I didn't train her well

Grace came into the kitchen for milk and a donut. She opened up the container and said in a rather cheery tone,"oh! I like that you cut them like this!" phew! Take credit where credit is due! Shhhhhhh. Some things are better left unsaid.

Animal Farm

2011-05-06T17:09:00.001-07:00

Outdoors...sitting on a rock....in the yard...in the sun...petting Fitz...Jinx jumped up onto my shoulders! His padded paws...his velvety soft black fur...his motor purring loudly....he stayed quite awhile...and *poof* he jumped down, circled and weaved through Fitz's legs...and trotted off! Fitz barely blinked...she was just happy that she was still getting pet. Life is good.

Fitz...Like A Lion In The Jungle

2011-05-05T22:30:00.001-07:00

Dreams Do Come True

2011-05-05T22:21:00.001-07:00

Make a list. Write down your hopes and dreams. Be specific. Who you dream to be...not career(save that for another day. too many folks think of themselves as their work title...who cares? its a title-a job...not who you are!) just you as a person...you're the only one who matters for this list!

1. Who do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be?

2. Where do you want to be living? house? condo? beach? lake? neighborhood? country? city?

3. What is your style that you envision? a. Personal style details. b. decorating

4. Imagine the people in your life...who will be there? how close will you be to family?

5. Dogs? Cats?

6. Friends? New love? More children?

7. Health...imagine good health. Happy. Taking good care of yourself. Healthy, inside and out. Write down details.

8. Lifestyle? Interests? Going back to school? Art class. Cooking class? Volunteering? Teaching?

9. Money? Big bank accounts? Real estate? How will you handle your money. Will you have extra earnings coming in? Will you have your own business, sell your art or talent at craft fairs, country farmers markets? Will you be in an office, at home? Traveling?

10. You...overall picture of you? How you live. Draw it...all of it..in color! Or cut out pictures from magazines..tape them on a posterboard.

Sound crazy? Nope. I'm living in the house I imagined ...almost everything here was on my list. Really! I'm married to the guy I imagined...all of the qualities I dreamed to find in a guy....swear! I only wrote the positive qualities that I wanted. Not a creepy list...just a list of what I knew I needed in a guy....a good guy for me! my kind of guy! I'd share my list but you need your very own!

Oh...did I mention we had a dream list of kids? We never could have imagined the love we feel for our children...but we could make a list of what we want to be as parents and what is important to/for our family. We have it on a list...the list keeps growing and changing. Guess what? Much of our list has come to be. I'm grateful. Write your list!

By dating, I learned what I liked and what was totally unacceptable. Simply the good....that I realized over time... good that mattered. Some things I learned by seeing the good in other relationships or what I loved in my own relationships..however fleeting or deep! Basically, positives. Negatived turned around into positives.

It's simple. Simply, this spells out what matters. Only to you. Do it. Try it. It's amazing. Biff and I still have our list of what we wanted in a house ...it's amazing!

Oh! Did I mention that I told my oldest friend about my "Biff list" ...she was amazed...and single. A couple of years later she called to tell me she was getting married. Her fiancé had everything on her list! Yup. She wrote her list. She's still happily married!

Write your list. Tuck it away. You will find your list again someday ...and it's likely you'll be living the life you imagined!

Memories Matter

2011-05-05T21:03:00.001-07:00

I like this. Isn't it good to let things go sometimes? Have a day just doing what pleasures you. Maybe making your bed pleasures you. Maybe the thrill is gone!

Mother's Day is upon us. Maybe this is the time to let things go ...if only for a day. If you are a mom, take a moment to enjoy something you love. Treat yourself.

Visit an art museum. Go to a public garden or a nursery. How about a fabric store? Shop in an upscale grocery store. Maybe you're like me and the beach and the ocean are your heaven.

Give something like this to yourself this weekend. Give a day like this to your mom...take time together. Spend some time like this with your grown children...time together. With little kids, take some time doing something that's easy and fun...not stressful for you.

One of my favorite Mother's Days, we all took my mom to our favorite carousel...Biff, Grace, T.J. and me got mom to ride with us...it WAS a mother's day we all remember! My mom....about 75 years young...I'm pretty sure she did it for her grandchildren. Maybe she took the ride just because she was asked! Sometimes all it takes is an invite!

Another dream mother's day, I was served breakfast in bed by T.J. and Grace...with an envelope. It was family membership to our favorite CT. art museum! We all went that day...we all painted en plen air...buckets of water, brushes, paints canvas' and oversized button down shirts.
Magical. Fun for all of us.

It's a gift when we let go of routines and "have" to-do lists.Pencil yourself in for your time. Click on your iphone app...for you and your very own schedule! Take time. Make time to make memories.

2011-05-05T19:14:00.001-07:00

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2011-05-04T19:27:00.001-07:00

PUT ON YOUR PARTY PEARLS AND DANCE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!

2011-05-04T09:43:00.001-07:00

Mother Theresa's Words….The Same Things My Mother Taught Me By Example

2011-05-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it."
— Mother Teresa

2011-05-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

1924..A Very Good Year

2011-05-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

It's Been 3 Years

2011-05-03T09:17:00.001-07:00

I miss her everyday. Do something special for your mom today. Call her.... Say thank you...Surprise her....Hug her.... Ask her something about her mother.....Take her to lunch.... Buy her flowers..... Send her a funny card.....Post a funny yutube video on her facebook page....just do it.

I wish I could. Really.

Waves

2011-05-02T23:29:00.001-07:00

News stories are like waves in the ocean...there's always another one that follows..and another and another. Sometimes the ocean is calm and quiet...even serene. At times, the water sparkles like glass. The calm before the storm. Tumultuous waters, crashing waves, pounding surf churning.

Depending on the weather it can change in moments. Everything comes and goes like waves.

Life. News. Local. World. Family. Change. Moments. Blink. Time. Think.

That's how it feels...

Life Is A Gift

Hope

2011-05-02T23:17:00.001-07:00

Just as we were beginning to overdose on Friday's royal wedding excitement, Saturday's headline news of outrageous U.S. tornados blew across the television and internet into our family room showing the devastation of lives and communities rattled to their core. Prayer has made the difference. Their world has been rocked yet prayer gives them hope.

Sunday night, our heads were still spinning from accounts of royal kisses in London to mothers in Alabama ....on the ground, instinctively throwing themselves over their children to protect their sweet lives. A news bulletin interrupted the silly Trump boardroom on the Apprentice to wait for breaking news and word from our president that Osama Bin laden had been killed. Shock. Relief. Terror. Safety. Family. Life. Military. Prayer gives us hope.

What a whirlwind of information to process.....love and marriage, royal or otherwise. Disasters, natural or unnatural. Death, killing or dying. Prayer gives us hope.

another red

2011-05-02T14:06:00.001-07:00

News Alert Interrupts Trump's Apprentice

2011-05-01T20:48:00.001-07:00

President Obama is about to make an announcement about Osama Bin Laden. NBC interrupted The Apprentice TV show for the news bulletin.

Trump has been working hard to create doubt in people's minds about Obama's birth certificate. As Biff and I sat in the family room, we wondered if Obama purposely came out with this newsflash....to have some fun with Trump! Just wondering?

"Never Give Up"

2011-05-01T20:22:00.001-07:00

"Never give up. Never give up. Never ever give up" Words of Winston Churchill.

The words of Donald Trump,"Never give up" during a very heated night in the boardroom.

T.J. has some decisions to make. He's got so many good things going at school and after school. He's thoughtful about the choices he makes. He's weighing things. He's giving thought to pros and cons.

He's talked with Biff. He's talked with me. He goes back and forth. Quit. Go forward. Why quit? Why not? Change. Keep doing the right thing. Do your best. Keep trying. Give it your all!

We all have the moments in life. Tough decisions. We can all give our opinions and hear the opinions or suggestions of people we trust but at the end of the day, we have to trust ourselves. It's quite a big deal for a fourteen year old
and starting to make his own choices...not simply cherry vs. lemon ice choice.

That's big stuff whether you're in Trump's boardroom, a mom, a dad or the American Military fighting and searching for Osama Bin Laden!

Never Give Up!

Queen For A Day Or A Lifetime?

2011-05-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

This is going wild in Queen Elizabeth's style handbook! I was happy that she made such a bold choice of ensembles for her grandson's wedding day. It would seem, wearing a color so bright, she is one very happy grandma. Style may not be her strong point but I give her credit for her tailored consistency over the years ...even with the handbags.

I may have some fun with her Highness's wardrobe but she is truly a woman who has aged well! All of her little hats have certainly kept her skin from aging. Her eyes and her smile are so warm. She's been blessed to age with a distinguished head of white hair, so distinguished. Her understated 3 strands of pearls were perfect as she certainly could have pulled out the stops to wear something grand and sparkly. She is surely a lady.

A friend and I were discussing the big day..she and I had seen the last royal wedding together. We laughed about the hats and welaughed that we both questioned the same people.

1. we thought Camilla looked ok.....perhaps matronly
2. Tasteful Mrs. Middleton
3. Fergie's daughters looked like Cinderella's stepsisters.
4. During the ceremony, we could see their hats poking out from behind the queen. Beatrice and Eugenia's hats stood like hotels in the backround!
5. Primeminister Cameron's wife wore no hat... instead she work clips. Really? if royal wedding isn't worthy of a new dress and hat...what is?
6. Wife of Dianna's brother had a pretty pink hat with the widest brim we've ever seen! We couldn't see her face...we both acknowledged that if we were at a royal wedding, we wouldn't want to be hidden under the hat...or want to miss a thing because of it.
7. Crazy Princess Margaret with crazy purple hat and suit was worse
8. Some of the royal family relatives had to ride in motor coaches! imagine being true royals, but not important enough for the Rolls? Ooh family drama begins!
9. We. both miss my mom at times like this because we'd have. so much fun discussing. the clothes and people with her!
10. Loved seeing Elton john singing church hymn. That would have been great to sit near him and hear him. belt it out!

*** 1 more comment came to me via text during one of the hymns..."I. don't mean to be irreverent but isn't this reminiscent of Monte python?"

OK...maybe I wouldn't make it as Queen for a day or a lifetime...I could barely make it through the wedding ceremony!

Royal Entry

2011-04-29T08:52:00.001-07:00

TV Time!

2011-04-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

What a great gathering to celebrate the wedding excitement. The hostess is from Scotland and shared so many stories of time living in London while Diana was there. Great to see so many friends at the early hour...some popped in before work, after the kids were on the bus or out walking the dogs.

So many laughs. We all. were wondering why we needed a royal wedding to take time for local friends. We decided it was like our old playgroup days minus our kids! Why can't moms have "playgroups"???????

Early Morning Royal Wedding Breakfast

2011-04-29T08:27:00.001-07:00

Wedding Bells!

2011-04-28T22:10:00.001-07:00

Alarm bells. Wedding bells.I hope I wake up when the alarm goes off. When i announced the hour of my early morning wake-up plans, my children rolled their eyes. Although Grace said she would join me IF she could take the day off from school. Tempting as it may have been, I knew her heart wasn't in it and she was just using me and taking advantage of royalty. Nope. This early morning wedding is a solo invite...better for me. I wont be distracted!

Biff defended my temporary insanity as I pulled out my sparkly wedding headband for the occasion. After all, I should dress up just a little, don't you think? It wouldn't seem right to spend the day with royalty and not do something a bit special...I'll skip my wedding shoes. They're for our anniversary. I might try those sweet curlers during the guest arrivals. Ooh! My pearls! What's a wedding without pearls? I do have something white to wear with my tiara...no, I mean headband! I loved our wedding day...how could I be anything but enthusiastic for this couple? Sure, they have a few more tiaras and castles and butlers and ladies in waiting (mine are Daisy and Fitzy) and a horse drawn carriage....but I wish them only goodness and love and babies and fun and family and happiness together...deeply in love as best, best friends. We are blessed. I hope, at the end of their days...no matter what their stress or chaos or life may be....I hope they laugh like we do!

Sorry. Wait. Tonight that's not happening for me and Biff. Sadly, we won't be laughing as we fade off to dreamland tonight. I'm sleeping on the couch. In the family room. He kissed me good night and walked upstairs....I've got to be here for the wedding warm-up at 3:00 or 4:00 a.m....then to a little royal coffee at 6! I hope I can sleep with all of the excitement!

Royal Wedding Frenzy!!!

2011-04-28T21:13:00.001-07:00

So much hype about the royals, Williamson and Kate, London, Balmoral, THE wedding dress, Diana....it's all such fun! Really, no matter how high-fillutin the royal family is, why oh why can't we get that queen a nicer handbag? All we keep hearing about os Kate's dress..what on earth will the queen carry as a handbag? She has diamonds and an awesome collection of tiaras...why wont anyone give her a nice handbag. May I see something in a really royal style please? I'm begging! Won't someone poke at the pink elephant handbag in Buckingham Palace? Please sir, I want some more...handbags!

Getting Married In The Morning

2011-04-28T20:36:00.001-07:00

Ding Don't the bells are gonna chime! So exciting to see another royal wedding! Having oodles of fun with friends...on facebook, with friends and TV!

Rough Stuff

2011-04-28T20:29:00.001-07:00

Daisy loving it!

April Downpour

Wild!

2011-04-28T20:20:00.001-07:00

Wind! Waves! And dogs! Fitz ran off like the wind today...well, more like...escaped, broke loose, hit the road.One minute Daisy was surfing in with a retrieved stick, Fitz would swim to Daisy...and they swam back to shore together. In an instant, I saw that look in her eye! Poof! She was gone!

Thankfully, a town worker with a giant lawn mower had his airplane like motor running...which stopped Fitzy in her tracks. Daisy had her under control when I caught up. The lawn mower fella looked a bit befuddled by the scene! He may never know that he saved the day!

Green!

2011-04-28T20:00:00.001-07:00

Green! Finally green! Walking the dogs with wind and a fine mist was delightful since I was dressed for the elements. I love when that happens!