Side By Side

Golden Morning

Really Sweet

Love Them

Happy Easter!

Hugs and kisses on Easter morning! This morning was quiet and peaceful outside with my coffee....and the menagerie. Daisy, Fitz and I were soaking up some sunshine, Jinx joined the coffee klatch. Looking at all of the buds and new life was very moving on Easter Sunday. Rebirth. The gift of life. Precious life!
I realized the animals were living in their own world...very peacefully.A beautifully symbiotic world!

Family Photos

I just stumbled upon my grandmother's scrapbook. I wish that the photographs could speak to me. This picture seems to be the family picking blueberries. What lovely family times they had. I recognize some of of grandma's family..brothers, sisters and friends. I wish I could ask my grandma and my mom about their lives...day to day life, special travels, events and friends. If you're blessed enough to have family still with you, ask now...everything you've wondered about. Ask now...you'll be happy you did.

Eggs and Bunnies and Memories

 

Decorating Easter eggs is one of my favorite memories of Easter. We have had so much fun over the years. Even though Grace and T.J. are older now, we still have fun decorating the eggs. We like to get the  traditional Paas Egg Decorating kit and lose the stickers enclosed.  The whole family joins in and we come up with some crazy eggs....

Tie dye eggs...You could have guessed that!  

Stripes. 

Monogrammed, using a crayon first so the dye won't take on the wax.

Polka dots

Rasta colors

No matter how crazy the eggs get, it's fun for us all to be together with a common goal. Creativity creates peace in our home. Everyone has style.

My mom loved to dye Easter eggs when she visited for Easter. I think of her whenever I see the Paas Easter Egg Kit. She loved it. Her preference was solid pastels. After they were colored, she got her bunnies in a row and put the eggs in all of her crystal candlesticks. Mom loved decorating for the seasons....at Easter, I'm thinking pink candles.I'm happy that our memories are sweet.

Mom loved to come with Easter Baskets for the kids. She loved to watch them hunt for eggs and jellybeans She was delighted to see them dressed in their Easter finest. Going to church with them added a new dimension to prayer. Easter Baskets, eggs, bunnies and enthusiasm. That's how I think of mom at Easter.

What Easter Bonnet Will You Be Wearing?

As the song goes......

Never saw you look quite so pretty before
Never saw you dressed quite so lovely what's more
I could hardly wait to keep our date this lovely Easter morning
And my heart beat fast as I came through the door
For

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade

I'll be all in clover and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade

On the Avenue
Fifth Avenue
The photographers will snap us
And you'll find that you're
In the rotogravure

Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter parade

Generic Easter Families

 

 

 

I did.  I used the loud voice. The desperate mother voice.

 

We stand on the sidelines. Parents. Moms and dads. We all have someone we love playing out on the field. We all  love and care deeply for each of our children. We stand watching our team...through the good, the bad and the ugly. Players in the game, players on the sidelines, on the field...defense, offense, goalies, middies.... penalties, players down, time outs, goals, missed goals. 

 

As we stand on the sidelines, we all have one thing in common....we love our boys and we want them to play their best and win the game. Each of us knows how much they have invested in the game...the practices, the training, the years of dedication.  We also know our own boy. We know how desperately they want to win. We know that this has been a tough year for these guys. They have new players, a new coach  and they've had disappointments. They keep working. The team plays well. Sadly, we have seen their opponents play better...or luckier...or.....

 

So, on the sidelines, we want them to win...not just for the win but for the spirit of each boy who works so hard. We know our boy. We know how hard he will take it if the team doesn't win. We know what happens on the ride home...the disappointment of his own plays, disappointment of the team, feeling bad that the team has disappointed the coach....overall misery for all.

 

We know our boys. We feel their pain. They are big guys now....taller, stronger, tougher. They play hard. They do their best. To us, they are still our little guys. They may have deeper voices. They may have bigger, smellier feet. They may get sweatier. The may yell louder. Their lacrosse sticks are longer. But, they are our boys. We know them better than anyone. We know their ups, their downs and their in betweens. We remember how they played as toddlers, we remember their time-outs and we remember their tantrums. We see all of this as they play on the field. We see it in their faces when they get a penalty and when they miss a goal..We know that they still like peanut butter and jelly, only on whole wheat.

Moms and dads care. Moms and dads get excited as we watch the games. Some may shout out plays or yell to the ref. while others, like me, cheer for our team. I call out their names! I shout out the name of  the team! The other moms and dads do the same. Sometimes I  do my loudest whistle. I yell DEFENSE! YOU GOT IT! YOU CAN DO IT!  and more. So do the other moms. We stomp our feet on the grass. We turn away. We shout some more. 

Almost every one of us have heard those words...before the game, during the game or after the game. We may even hear our kids beg of us in their sleep. Their view of their world. T.J. can only hear my voice out on the field. Mike's mom only hears her voice. Grace heard only one thing at her last game...it was when I called her name for another player....same uniform...same ponytail...same pink goggles and a random happy color stick. No matter where, when or how....they do not want to be different. They want to fit it.. They do not want embarrassment. It's all about them. Life. Their life. The way they see it. The teenage struggle.throughout time. They think it is only their struggle.

 

Still on the sidelines, we talk about our families.We compare our kids stories from school. We laugh. We see them miss a goal and we cringe. We root some more and try to will their ball into the net. We scream. We pout. We talk amongst ourselves. We talk about our boys. We talk about school. We compare stories. We talk about the royal wedding. 

 

Parents on the sidelines....it's a connection like no other. We know the boys play on the same team. We know they are friendly We have known many of them for years...if only at the sidelines and Stop and Shop or a second grade field trip to the farm. We know how they play. We know where they live. We know their siblings. We know there will always be superstars. We know there will be kids who struggle. We know there are some who do it because there older brothers or sisters play.We know the parents who live through their kids. We know there are players who give it their all. We know which players lose their temper.We know which players hog the ball.

T.J was on his way  back out to the field. He ran towards our gaggle of parents who had been cheering our hearts out. He ran towards me..I smiled the smile of a proud mom...I wanted to give him support....by giving him that motherly nod of approval. .He continued towards me like a football player en route to a touchdown....he had his helmet on...he had his mouthpiece in....he had his stick in his hands... like a weapon? He looked fierce!

 

No, he looked fiercely at me....he spewed through his mouthpiece, "DO NOT CHEER! STOP".....and he was gone. Out on the field. In the game..Did I mention that he had eye black on his cheeks.... that somehow it looked like war paint?

 

We continued our chatter on the sidelines. We laughed at our teenagers'  rules. They really believe that we should listen to their rules. We call out the wrong names. We cheer at the wrong time.We cheer too loud. We take pictures. We call out the name of the town when we should call out the name of the school. We don't know the game.We just don't get it. I continued cheering. I stopped the whistles. I still cheered. The other moms and I felt as superstitious. Just like players in the big league....and our boys have superstitions.... .we thought when we cheered they got the goals. Maybe? Either way, we know they need us.

 

One More Time

Grace's masterpiece for Earth Day. Thanks to Starbucks, I had a free Earth Day coffee because I brought in my travel mug.

I guess I should thank my Cake Boss for this groovy cake. Oh wait. Grace and T.J don't like when I use that word. Groovy. Groovy. Groovy. Groovy. Groovy. Groovy. Nee-ner-nee-ner- nee-ner!

Tug of War

Our dogs love a good tug of war after retrieving sticks from the water. Growling and gripping the sticks with their white teeth, they dance back and forth in the wet sand. I love to see them play.

There are plenty of "tug of wars" with Grace and T.J., who are growing up with feelings, opinions and new ideas of their own. Just as Biff and I do our best to teach and expose our kids to the world, our kids do their teenage "job" by challenging our opinions, ideas and boundaries...within reason. Some days there are more challenges than others!

This week was a very low key vacation. We enjoyed our time away. We were home in time for lacrosse practices and games. We had some time to relax at home. We were not off by plane to a faraway paradise, Disneyworld or foreign country.

We are blessed with many gifts. Our children are blessed to live a wonderful life with an abundance of love, family, friends and new experiences.

As anyone living day to day with teenagers knows, it is essential to have a sense of humor. To live with people who doubt my sense of style, facial expressions, timing,old school words and worries, choice of dogs, elocution, work and prioities...a sense of humor is not optional!

Ironic. While discussing vacations of "everyone else," each child had plenty to say. The following quotes really came out of the mouths of our babes..one from each child...please remember these words before reading:

1. Teenagers.
2. Irony.
3. Drama
4. Violin.

Quote #1. "Mom...do you think we could go to Australia? I really want to go. Seriously, we've never been anywhere. Do you think it's possible? Really...please tell me because I'd like to think I could have some decent childhood memories "

2. How come everyone else can go to Disneyworld, like, every year... and I've NEVER been even once? Nevermind now...it's too late...it doesn't even matter now. My childhood's practically over anyway! I'll just have to take MY kids!"

For real. Really. Welcome to my world!

Look Who I've Become!

The Devil You Know....

Yup. It's true. the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. I held out. I gave in. I sold out. I put up. I got down. I was fed up.....that's how it happened.

Today's beautiful weather of blue skies and sunshine started the whole thing. I was out and about early this morning to help a friend. Windows down, sunroof open, music on, Daisy in the back with the wind blowing her lovely golden furry locks...

Then....I noticed my goldilocks. NOT! Just one glance...that's all it took. One glance in the rearview mirror...and I knew I was a "Glamour Don't." My hair....although holding it's own in the golden department....desperately needed some lovin'...and quick!

It was time to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again. But how? What's a girl to do? Who could I turn to?

I know. I know. I said I wouldn't go back. I was desperate though. I had to. HAD TO. No question.

I did it. I acted like a grown up. I stopped in to see if my ex-hairdresser would take me in ....in off the street...for a cut and squeeze in a touch of color to hide my grays. I admit it. I hit bottom. I reached an all-time low ...I know. But come on man...I needed something...anything. I was in rough shape. I brought cash baby. This was serious stuff. I had to make it work.

My hairdresser was happy to see me. I didn't have to grovel or beg. I just had to sit in the chair...and look at myself in the mirror to see what I had become. That was punishment enough!

Hairy Situation

Do I have to beg? Well, maybe.

My Cake Boss

Grace was inspired...all day she hounded me to buy the ingredients for her cake idea. I did what my cake boss wanted. This is her tie dye cake!

Who's The Boss?

Cake Boss. Grace had the TV Show on today. Buddy from Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, N.J. is. a riot. Cakes...the whole show is about the creativity and challenges of making cakes to order. Grace loves the show! She has us all hooked. It's an Italian family busiiness. We love the family and we love their accents even more.

The show was on when Biff came home....he got hooked.
T.J. walked in after lacrosse practice...he got hooked. We all had a fun time....AND we found a show that we all like!

Their creativity inspired us. Grace made a cake this afternoon. and I got out some pain and canvas for fun. I painted some florals and Grace painted a daisy. Family fun
....like the old days!

Who's Paranoid?

Why? Me? Am I paranoid? I'm just concerned that I'll never, never, stop itching and scratching and rubbing and OH! Did I give it to you too? Grace is concerned that I touched the steering wheel in the car. T.J. is worried about the outbreak of poison ivy in the family. Cooking. Washing. Enough already! Or is it? Maybe I am paranoid. Stop looking at me. Are you looking at me?

Enough Already

My kids are afraid to touch me. I'm terrified I'll pollute Biff with Poison Ivy. Could it be possible for me to give it to the dogs? Or cats? What if they all gang up on me? We know what fear and paranoia can do to people! What if this itching never stops? This is payback for making light of other people's (Biff) poison ivy affliction. That'll do it.

Drop Me A Line

Poking along the quieti roads on the cape gave us all the thrill of what's to come in just a few short months....Cape Cod summer. We stopped to see the sailing club....boats are covered, buoys are hanging, the sailing shack is locked up tight. I can imagine all of what's to come

Quiet roads will be filled with summer people. The hustle and bustle have begun. Landscapers, painters, builder's, small shops are doing prep work for summer. What's not to love?

Isn't That A Fine How Do You Do

Springing Spring

"Red" Again!

And again and again and again! Biff's good friend Mike owned a Ford dealership.Mom talked to Mike for advice on her purchase. After benefitting from all of his information, mom asked if he had a little Ford Escort so she could buy the car from him....letting him benefit on her purchase. Mike checked into his stock on the car, called her back. He shared all of the details and finally the color, "Calypso Green!" Hearing her disappointment with the less than regal color, Mike burst enthusiastically, "Grace, come on...it'll keep you young!"

We've all had some good "Calypso Green" laughs over the years.

Another "Red!"

We're beginning to wonder if Mom's trying to let us know she's here for us!

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Lots of work is being done at this time of year to get boats ready to float, houses perked up, stores and restaurants re-opened. I love watching it all ...springing into action and preparing for summer!

When Opportunity Knocks

Sell the hand made monkey door stops. Necklaces. Bracelets. The sales crew is out on the roadtaking pre- season orders. The business is growing! The sales force is recommending pre-season orders and customers orders are encouraging! The kids have a great meet and greet routine ...customers are impressed! Beautiful to see these kids cold calling with confidence!

On The Cape

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!"