Life's A Beach!

This may not be down south and we may not be barefoot, in bathing suits but we're at the beach soaking up the delicious sunshine.

We had dreams. We had hoped for a vacation with a tad more southern exposure and warmer weather .... but we're here! Massachusetts. Spring vacation...visiting friends.
Biff headed home earlier so. T.J., Grace and I drove to the beach to take a good walk on one of our favorite beaches . Spectacular sunshine and sweeping white swirls across the sky, breakers crashing, sea glass, wishing stones, myriad dogs, families, friends all out walking fthe long stretch of beach.

We love visiting our friends! Its a gift to have time with good people and a change of scenery. This scenery is familiar to us. Each time we come back to the beach where we once walked our jogstroller babies, it takes me back in time.

We started our family here. We lived here. We found our way. We learned here how to be our best for our children. Here we learned to do what's best for our family. We created balance. We enjoyed and the power of gratefulness. We found that our ups and downs teach us lessons and give us strength. Priorities were defined and refined as we grew into ourselves. We lived each day to the fullest and as best we could. We found that we happiest when we keep it simple. Our kids are learning that here as well.

Keeping it simple is easiest at the beach. Life's. a beach!

Boston

Fun with friends. let the games begin.

Baldy

T.J. had his head shaved by a friend. His friend posted the photos on facebook to show off his inner barber.Grace commente,"concentration camp" I'm just happy that T.J.has his ears in tact.

Blue Red

We texted our "Red" photo to Claire yesterday. Here's what she sent us today. Is grammar sending a message?

"Red"

Grace saw "Red" today while we were out and about. She took this photo and texted it to her older cousin, Claire.

Claire had the priviledge of driving "Red" for years..."Red" had been my mom's car for years. She called it her chariot. This little car travelled many miles on all kinds of adventures. Certainly much smaller and simpler than any of her past chariots, she adjusted to it easily as it became her trusted companion. Like any good companions, they took good care of each other.

I loved to see my mom drive up the driveway, greeted by Daisy, Grace and T.J. giving hugs and kisses while peeking in the windows to spot what surprises Gramma had in store for them! (Daisy too!)

It was fun for me and Biff when "Gramma" came to visit. We had lots of laughs together...fun conversation...love and some sweet spoiling of our kids.....long chatty breakfasts with bakery surprises from home..... delightful dinners with a little extra dessert, newspapers and magazines catching us up on life's events... just family time. Easygoing family time. Comfortable for us all...more comfortable than with almost anyone else.

In "Red's" later years, mom wasn't able to get out while recuperating from a broken hip..not once, but twice. Mom slowed down...only physically...while her trusty companion found a new purpose. Claire, college bound, drove her Gramma's wheels off to college.......where "Gramma's car was dubbed "Red"....

It was a gift for Claire to have such a priviledge nestled upon her...knowing her gramma's love of adventure and roadtrips...and her nickname from Biff, "Wheels Gramma"... Claire drove Gramma's car and slowly, it became hers.

A gift in many ways. For my mom....Claire was driving "Gramma's car" and it was helping her first grandchild. Having Claire drive kept the car running well. A gift for us all....no one had to say the dreaded words to our aging mom, "it's time to stop driving". Claire was borrowing her car until.....

Today I drove with Grace to Boston....Grace in the driver's seat....an eager student....the next generation. What a joy to give her the gift of confident driving....and for me, our time in the car together just as I had with my mom. "Red" was one of the family. Learning to drive is a big family right of passage. We've all had it instilled in us...driving is a priviledge and a chance for adventure!

Thanks to "Gramma wheels!"

Mellow Yellow

Forsythia ...another sign that Spring is in the air. Today's rain and gray skies make us all want to crawl under the covers.....all except the dogs. In between being nestled in their cozy dog beds, they're begging to be outdoors. I've just taken them far enough for us to get soaked...and back indoors.

Grace and friend are at the library this afternoon. T.J.'s lacrosse practice has been cancelled and he's at a friend's house. Biff has dinner with a customer. I'm going to hear the author of SMASHED at our bookstore. Somedays are like this.

Poison Ivy?

Really. For all of my joyous singing about spring, this is what I get? Pardon me while I laugh...at myself. Itch. Scratch. Scratch. Itch. Itch. Scratch. All of this because of one darling daffodil that got me outdoors! Somehow that perky little yellow charmer now looks like a dastardly devil daffodil. How quickly things change. Itch. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. Itch.

"I'm Awake"

After turning on the lights, a few gentle calls to wake Grace and T.J. on this damp, dreary morning I plodded down the stairs, headed for the temperature controls and cranked up some heat. Making lunch was next... followed by a follow up wake up, hurry up call. I heard rustling in T.J's room. Check. "Grace...are you up?" "I'm awake!" ...the words were all too familiar as I flashed back to my high school mornings. I followed that voice.....Grace was under the covers when my urgent plea shocked her from slumber. One thing for sure , you can't pull the wool over my eyes... or the covers! I've been there, done that! The world has come a long way but some things never change.

Dirt Flirt

You Dirty Dog!

Yesterday Fitz was feeling all flirty dog while wearing my lipstick...today she's "digging" the dirty dog smutty look.

Daisy Days

Daisy keeps me company while I get down and dirty doing a little spring cleanup. Good company.

One In A Million

One! One perky bright yellow daffodil is all we have so far! Words can't describe the delight we're feeling. We look forward to so much more. Daffodils, crocuses, day lillies, sedum, grasses, irises......lilacs and grass! That daffodil is the first burst of spring...just the beginning...newness...life...hope....possibilities. Both physically, spiritually and metaphorically, we look forward to the growth and goodness.

Smooch

Not me. The pooch. Again. Fitz is all dolled up today. It's no special occasion. Maybe she needed a little something to give her a little lift on a gloomy Monday morning. Sadly, it was my favorite lipstick color.

It wasn't Chanel or even L'Oreal. It was Cover Girl and precious to me. My "Ice Blue Pink" has been discontinued which made me want to cry! My lipstick addiction is serious. What's a girl to do?

Amazing Race Sunday

This show fuels my travel bug! I love seeing the world as the teams travel around the world. What an awesome adventure. We all have our own paths for adventure. Travelling anywhere, meeting people from different cultures, different backrounds and lifestyles. We share so many similarities. It's "amazing!"

The Good Old Days

Kind of. As Biff and I roller bladed alongside each other, we talked about our early dating days when he taught me how to roller blade. Those dates roller blading were a continuation of our skating dates....we really had fun seeing each other in new places and trying out new things....like roller blading.

Today felt just like the old days. One thing HAS changed drastically. Not the laughter, not the respect, not the love or sense of humor....that's all gotten even better. What's different? The hair peeking out. from the back of Biff's helmet, is gray. Really. I never noticed!

Coffee to go

Grace and I went shopping this afternoon. It took some time to get ready. I spent some time cleaning out the car....while the dogs were in it.

Car mats out. Candy wrappers tossed. Water bottles removed. Coffee cups out. I swept out the crumbs, fur and sand. My Dylan's Canidy Bar mug...I put on top of the car since it was full of coffee and didn't want Fitz to drink it. Any other spot...she'd get it. Only experience can teach some things.

After clearing the car, Grace pleaded with me to be the driver. I'm a good sport...so I was happy to give her the keys and the experience.

We drove for miles. We drove through town. We drove on the interstate. People smiled as they drove by. They waved. Friendly follks in Connecticut.

So many friendly faces. So many. That's when it hit me. Not literally. My mug! My Dylan's Candy Bar mug. On top of the car!

People waving. People smiling. People pointing. I calmy alerted my driver,Grace. Without panicking, she zipped off the next exit ramp. We both laughed for miles. And we laughed some more.

Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan. Preppy candy!! Candy heaven! Upper East Side, New York City. Rooms for private parties. We had a "Dylan's To Go" party in Connecticut. Oodles of candy and oodles of fun!

Today we drove off with a Dylan's Coffee Mug on the car! My 16 year old girl and I are still laughing....together! Really. Sometimes life is great!

http://www.dylanscandybar.com/

Yellow Roses

Not Funny. Not one bit. This is how I feel right now. And it's Sunday….3pm. The end of the weekend. How is it possible that I feel as though our house is more in an upheaval than it was yesterday!

I hate when this happens. Why do I have to be the one to alert everyone. Don't they notice? Haven't I asked? Oh, I must have on my cloak of invisibility again. Darn that cloak. It always gets in the way of progress. 

Biff and I have been trying to get things done all weekend. Basic  cleaning. And a bit more. 

Laundry. Check.

Closets. Check.

Giveaway. Toss. Need to sort through piles. Started but now the piles are everywhere…in every room. Bedrooms. Family room. Vacuum. Vacuum everywhere. Or maybe nowhere until tomorrow.

Dogs. Check. Kind of. Sort of. A little bit.

The car interior. Check.

Basement. 

E-bay listing. Nope. No check. Camera broken. Yup. Another camera dead. Just like that. Poof. Dead. No good. No more pics. Done. Need to buy a new camera. Great.

The garage awaits. Need more Hefty bags for that job. Trip to the store? I think so.

Lawn.Plenty of lawn seed and holly toner. Too much in fact. We bought it last year from the boy scouts. Oh. We bought it again this year. Biff likes to give the kids $ for their fundraiser. Now we don't have enough space to store it all. We better pour it on heavy.

Kitchen. No paper towels. How can we begin with no paper towels? Better go to the store for those.

ReLAX!

It's great to be back on the sidelines again. Seeing the kids playing a sport they love is a joy! My challenge is cheering without ruining T.J.'s life In my own enthusiastic way, I scream for the team in Tourette like outbursts. The other parents empathize as I blurt out names and numbers and the color, team name and school...all in a desperate attempt not to embarrass my son or worse.....ruin his life. After all it IS a possibility. One burst too many from mom might just make a. difference in his high school social status. That IS rather incredible pressure...after all I'm just one mom...standing amongst other moms with the same cheering instructions from their children, "Pleeeeeeeeeease DON'T!" Really? Oh wait...they're teenagers. We cheer anyway.

Beachy Keen

Daisy, Fitz and I squeaked in some moments for a beachcombing/beach- sniffing adventure. Just the quiet time I needed...in between my mom adventures today. Gentle lapping waves have a way of calming the soul.

Grandpa Fitz and Mom

Funny. I've been thinking of Grandpal lately. Mom...everyday. This sweet father daughter photo (color tinted...fancy 1930s style) turned up. It's a little treasure. The memories of them are my treasure.

Funny to find this pic on the week of my grandfather's birthday! He died when I was in 5th grade. My first funeral. I had to have new shoes for the funeral.

Once I got back to school, wearing my beautiful, shiny, new patent leather shoes with my plaid school uniform ...my friend Maureen asked me why I was wearing my "Sunday shoes" (old school term that kids don't understand today)......I told Maureen the reason for my new shoes. She shrieked, "I've heard of Sunday Shoes and school shoes but I've never heard of funeral shoes! Wow! "

Playtime For Murphy, Daisy and Fitz!

Good Day?

Play Time

A Blog After My Own Heart!

http://coloringoutsidetheline.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-flowers.html

This is a blog I happened upon this morning while having morning coffee. Just love her spirit. I'm posting her link just in case you'd like it too!

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!

Oh what a beautiful day! Daisy's checking it out ....making plans....checking her agenda. Sun.... check. Squirrels...check. Grass...check. Neighborhood dogs.....check. Full schedule.

Rainy Day Cozy

Boo jumps up and settles in with me to find a bit of cozy and warmth on this damp, raw day. Our black kitty is sleeping on my Black Dog sweatshirt. Cat-dog. The irony makes me smile. Then I realize this is nothing new. Boo sleeps with Daisy and Fitz all of the time. Even irony isn't irony in our house! That makes meeting laugh. Life is funny.

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

As T.J. said recently, "I don't even remember warm weather!"

Rules. Rules. Rules.

There are lessons out there for us everyday...somedays they are more spelled out than others. Today I saw this at Whole Foods. Adults can learn from this too! I do think everyday we can do our best to play nicely with others. Some people or situations may challenge us more than others! If we look to learn something from everyone we meet, rather than judge, we may play with others a little better everyday! It's tricky when we ARE the adults...with only our own conscience for supervision. If we're honest with ourselves, we know when we're playing nicely and when we're not.

Grace walked into the kitchen yesterday, shuffling along as she read her cell phone texts, stopped short, looked up, smiled, shook her head and spoke,"Mimi apologized. Hmm. She texted, Grace I'm sorry. Huh! " Sometimes people surprise us. Hearing the words "I'm sorry" can make us feel better...knowing that we matter enough for an apology. We can be relieved or freed of a huge burden by apologizing. if we grow up...and forgive....our hearts will be lighter and the bonus is that we can play and HAVE FUN like the rules say.

See That Face

Don't be fooled. I have treats. This is the face of a thief. This cute face looks innocent. Watch out. It's all a ploy. This is the same sweet face that chewed through the pocket of my North Face jacket...because I left treats in the pocket. It was awhile ago but I still remember!

Moorings ...A Sure Sign That Summer Is On it's Way!

She Smells Sea Shells By The Sea Shore!

Glorious!

Double Dipping

Cold feet? Never! They love it! Daisyp and Fitzy love the water...no matter what the weather. Bifff and I had a walk on the beach and let the dogs run..and run....and swim...and roll in the wet sand and shells. Biff and I only do that when it's warmer!

Fun For All!

The Whiner's

Remember them? Some days I think it would be nice to whine or just complain. Complain about anything. Or better yet...everything. Sometimes living with teenagers, I hear so many random complaints, it seems ironic that Biff and I do our best to make the best of each day...the good, the bad and the ugly.

I'm tired. I'm sick of doing everything for everybody. I don't like rudeness. I'm bothered by people who are grossly closed minded, judgemental and have a deep seated need to feel superior. I'm annoyed by insincerity and phoney baloney folks...posers. I get tired of being the first one to reach out. Some people bother me when they pretend that their life (kids, husband, dogs, cats, childhood, job...) is perfect.

I would love to be a "Debbie Downer" or "Wendy Whiner" or "Patty Poser" or "Katie Complainer" for awhile. Wouldn't it be fun? Probably for an hour. After that, I think it would get old. And tiring. Maybe an hour would be too long. Writing about all of this negativity is draining.

I'm exhausted from finding fault with everyone and everything around me. Funny...did you ever notice the complainers and downers never think it has anything to do with them? I think life works better for me if I don't look to blame others. It feels better when I'm accountable. Whining is exhausting. I'm already sick of it!

Gift Card Central

It's Friday afternoon. Apparently we are in the hottest spot in town. As I wait for Grace to select something fun from this trendy little shop, I see mother/daughter duos galore. Grace is here to spend while considering buying a gift card for another sweet 16 birthday party. Cha ching. Cha Ching. Cha Ching.

So many gift cards, so much fun to spend them! Teen girls of every team, clique and friendly group come and go in minutes. Like a drive through window, currency is exchanged and the customer is off and running with a smile. Like the convenience and safety of the known entity on a fast food menu, a gift card from this small town, teen trendy store is a safe bet. Grace was there to cash her birthday cards in and stroll out with the shopping bags.

We walked out the door and followed the gift trail to the silver store....where we found some of the same mother daughter combos. Here is the alternative, more traditional personalized gift. That's my heaven. Sterling silver, engraved sterling silver charms or signet rings....heaven.

Another gold mine....silver in this case. This is my drive through shopping preference. The owner greets us with a big hello! She's been there for us for every occasion. She's lived through our birthdays, graduations, special occasions, Mother's Day gift from our kids, Godchildren, communions....and more. She knows our names and the names of our kids. She knows our stories. That's why we shop there. I'm so happy my girl likes to go the traditional gift route! It's more fun for me. Trendy, lesser quality doesn't do it for me quite so much. And the store owner who takes my business for granted...not so much. Just sayin'.

Midnight Lacrosse Laundry

Long story that was list in cyberspace just moments ago.

Serioiusly? Not kidding. About 11pm,  T.J. came into the family room and says……"Oh, mom…could you just toss all of my lacrosse pads and stuff into the dryer….now…tonight? Dad says if you just put them in the dryer with a couple of towels they will be o.k."

 When these words come out of your child's mouth…."Oh mom, could you just.." RUN! RUN FAST and don't look back! These words are never followed by…
1. give me a hug?
2.  take more time to sit and chat with me more often?
3. sit down while I do that for you.
4. put your money away, I'll pay for it.
5. let me finish my homework? Please!
6.  let me clean my room now?
7. let me walk the dogs?
8. Put down that kitty litter, I'll clean up after the kitties.
9. hand me that vacuum?
10. let me mow the lawn?

Oh mom, could you just…….never has an easy ending!

It reminds me of my friend's dad, Joe O.
A long time ago, he taught us that these words usually come with a bad ending. Here they are:
"BY THE WAY….."

It has always rung true. Over the years, it seems that Joe O. knew what he was talking about.
"By the way, …":
1. You're fired
2. We have to talk
3. I want to break up

I think that's enough. You get the point. Whenever Biff and I here these words come from anyone's mouth, we laugh. We know what's coming.

And as an old friend said to her boss after being reprimanded for something insignificant,
"By the way…..you have lipstick on your teeth!" 

What Fun!

Listing lots of new merchandise ini my e-bay store today. I get so excited to post things that I know my customers will love. I can't list my finds fast enough! This photo is J. Crew Madras. What fun!

If you like, take a peek at the store! I'll be adding new auction items all night...and all weekend....since the weather people are still calling for snow. I'll be listing the spring & summer merchandise that we're all hoping to wear....this year...we can only hope!

http://stores.ebay.com/littlemarymixup?_trksid=p4340.l2563

Daffodils and The"Snow Event"

Really. The T.V. weatherman just called today's weather a "snow event"....really. Really? "Snow event"....now I've heard everything.

Memories Of Earlier Days

The enthusiastic little voices caught my attention this morning long after Grace and T.J. had slowly, deliberately stepped onto their rumbling bus. The sweet sounds of the playful brother and sister eagerly awaiting their school bus brought back sweet memories. Bittersweet. These days are special too....just different.

Really? You've Got To Be Kidding.

Wednesday Woes. "Precipitation" is what my mobile "The Weather Channel" has in our hourly weather prediction for the day. I remind myself...we do live in New England.

The good news is,,,,despite the challenge of getting Grace and T.J. up and out the door, we've done it! Team work? Kind of. At least AFTER the part where I was able to get them to stand up. Once they're standing, it's all down hill from there. Unless they miss the bus.

Unlike the bus drivers of previous years, this woman waits for no one. We have always lived a life of well timed bus routines. Like clockwork..the bus...and us. On the rare occasion, we were running a minute behind, the bus driver would sit for a moment...in case. But no more. Running out the door...arms flailing, running, doing a sprint, the long jump, even screaming or summer salts...the conscientious driver glides by. Bye bye, that is.

Today, they made it without gymnastic pole vaulting. Phew. I was sure to be the scapegoat if we were one topsider short of catching the bus driver on a mission. Biff was already off on "vacation" as he merrily drove off toward the morning sunrise, whistling while he worked....ALONE in the car with his XM Radio, I had Grace and T.J. critiqueing my warnings. "WHAT? 2 MINUTES, you're supposed to give us more notice than that!.....Are you kidding me? 2 minutes?" T.J. spouted as he gathered his backpack and lunch while simultaneously pushing on his sneakers. Grace scrambled alongside...agreeing with her brother that I had failed them.

Oh well, at least our dueling teenagers could agree on something! As I review our children's cohesive manner in which they found fault with my meager attempts at warnings, it warmed my heart to have them in agreement. As T.J. said earlier, "Are you kidding me?" I'm happy to see them agree on anything these days!

Daisy's Favorite Crunchy Snacks

Not the delicasy Fitz found!

Oh Happy Day!

What a gorgeous day. What a delight to be at the beach as the weather warms up. What a joy to be at the beach with wind that doesn't have sand whipping me into a bad Elizabeth Arden Red Door facial experience.

It's lovely to be at the beach as the weather gets warmer. The days with the dogs playing in the water, getting wet, shaking themselves dry...all over me.... jumping in the car with wet sand frozen solid in the hair, defrosting all over the mats of the car, as the heat begins blowing throughout the wet dog scented car. In. case you had any question...I'm referring to me...just kidding...not me...the dogs.

In the middle of winter, the wet dogs, the smelly, puddled up, sandy car doesn't bother me. Now that the dogs are swimming and drying off in the sun before the car ride, I am grateful.

Whether the car windows are open or closed, rain, snow, sleet, hail or sun...Grace and T.J. will blame the dogs for our clean car status....due to paw prints.

Now it's the little things that make me happy. No frozen fingers, no frozen toes, no runny nose....things are looking up. That makes me happy.

My only concern in the warmer weather....things like the dead fish head Fitzy attempted to take home today.

Beach Playdate

Puppy Peanut Butter Playdate!

Daisy visiting with Ranger, her handsome beau. They've frolicked together since their puppy days. They each celebrated their 9th birthday within the last week and they've both been on puppy love since they met!

They Say It's Only Puppy Love"

It's a Wrap

My eBay store has kept me busy as a bee. It's so much fun to sell. Having my own store is a dream I've had since I set up our basement as a store at age 5 when I invited all of the kids in the neighborhood to shop.

The sea shell necklaces were stunning highlighted on display high atop the ping pong table. Here in my eBay store, it's less about display and more about packing and shipping. I'm working on that. Originally I wrapped each package like a gift with pretty ribbons and colorful wrapping paper. I thought it would be nice for the buyer to open a little wrapped gift. My friends suggested a simpler method with a more no-frills wrapping. It works. But I still believe presentation is everything.

Selling is something I love...on eBay or face to face. It always amazes me how interesting people are. Even from afar.

Like our kids, I began by selling lemonade and girl scout cookies. T.J.and Grace are delighted when their things sell on eBay. As teens, money is a wonderful motivator. Listing, pricing, selling and shipping are all good learning tools.

Grace has come a long way. When she was almost 5 years old, she sold string cheese to the neighbors for a dollar a stick. Interesting choice of merchandise. Still, the cheese sold well. In 4th grade, Grace created a frenzy on the playground selling 25 cent paper clip bracelets. The testimonial advertising worked! 4th grade girls love trendy fads...especially when the supply and demand create the bigger buzz. Grace had to enlist friends to help sell when the supply was less than the demand.

Shortly after the business growth, the assistant principal had to shut down the shop. Shopping on the playground became too much like Macy's on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

As for T.J., he loves selling on eBay. He's more of a barter man and he drives a hard bargain. In preschool, he bartered his used Jeff Gordon #24 racecar for another boy's new Jeff Gordon #24 racecar. Now, that's a gift! T.J. always had a right if recision clause...it was a 24 hour rule....in case either child had buyer's remorse at bedtime.

It's all in the family. Quite the sales force. Who knew?