My phone went dead....*POOF*...just like that! *POOF*....*------NOTHING-------*. I was using it 

yesterday.  It was fine. I went to sleep after reading last night. Reading on the phone that is. Yes, this amazing phone has an app on it that gives me free books to read. I just started taking advantage of that app.,finding some books that I enjoy and *POOF* ------NOTHING-------.

Just as any good American family would do????  we made a family trek to the Verizon store to have my phone repaired. Going to a museum should get that kind of enthusiastic response! Since Biff had just arrived home from an overnight, he came too....just so we could have some family time. Everyone jumped into the car as quick as we could say cell phone. 

We all had a great time.  A car ride with 2 kids and 2 parents, no earphones or contraptions....but radio which gave us plenty to discuss...different music, upcoming concerts.....phones, free upgrades. 

All VERY important topics.  To our teenagers.  What's important to them is important to us.....sometimes. We did also talk about choices and money and how to save and how to spend and the conundrums that come with making choices of how to best spend money.  They're catching on now that they're earning some of their own money!

It never occurred to me that it was as ridiculous as it sounds right now. someday,our kids will tell their kids about family outings....just as our parents did with us.  We thought it was outrageous that they all sat around the radio....or black and white t.v.s! Now we're driving 20 minutes on the interstate to have a phone fixed so that I can read a book! 

A book that now will have to wait until Saturday.....cliff hanger! They had to order a new phone for my ailing device....and now that has me waiting for my book with great anticipation. 

Funny....on the way home the kids  were saying how the the companies make it so difficult and confusing with cell phone plans and 2 year contracts.  That's when Biff and I both said, "Easier.  It was much easier before they had all of this stuff! We just lived and talked to people when we saw them. Sometimes, we made long distance calls for special occasions or grandparents." 

 

Then again, some of this technology is great....because we can connect even when it's not a special occasion.  I would have loved "talking" to my grandma on facebook...or picking up my cell phone and having my favorite aunt on the phone.....or seeing photos of my cousins on facebook...all 23 of them!

It's here...technology is here and moving fast......if we want to take advantage of some of the good it offers....I'm open.  I'm open to all of it.  The world is moving faster, I'd rather not be left behind!  besides, it gives me the chance to have a few minutes here and there to connect with someone I'm thinking of....after all, some days are so busy we forget what we want to say if we wait...the moment is lost!  Unless we write it down....but then we need a pen.....and paper.....then save the paper until we chat again. 

I think of family and friends everyday....I'd have pockets full of paper! So, I'm very open.  Besides, I'm the one who didn't want to be in the office the day they taught us about that silly old thing called "e-mail!" 

Another day off! Our kids have been in school since August 30th. They have had one national holiday. They have had one early dismissal.  Today our kids have off for the Jewish Holiday, New Year.  Since they've started school, they've been home more than their summer vacation....kind of.  Crazy. They go to school tomorrow, Friday. Go figure. Funny, I wish they could just start on September 15th.  Oh wait, there's Yom kippur, another Jewish Holiday! How about Columbus Day?  Oh wait, they don't have that day off! Then again, maybe they do. there was something sketchy about Christopher Columbus that people were buzzing about. We'll see. I guess this is what they mean by "one day at a time."

It's after 1abor day.1etting go of summer is very hard for me....i don't 1et go without some kicking and screaming.  we'11 sti11 have time for some more beach days and some sai1ing too.  We had some beautifu1 beach days 1abor day weekend...we were up in watch hi11, rhode is1and.  g1orious.  boogie boarding. great waves. great sun. b1ue skies. comfortab1e water temps.

the bad news is that there aren't many of those days 1eft! the good news is that the dogs are a11owed back on the beaches! that makes a big difference in our1ife! anyone with a dog wi11 agree. we are we1come!  sti11, there wi11 be some peop1e wa1king the beaches who wi11 1ook with disdain. they are not the dog peop1e.

we know the dog peop1e...they're the friend1y ones...they're the ones who stop to ta1k....they'11 be the ones ce1ebrating our return. meeting dog wa1king friends...it's different...we're just friends because of our dogs.  dog friends. gotta 1ove it.man's best friend he1ping to make friends! 

they may not be friends that we have over for birthday ce1ebrations. they are specia1 in their own way.  they're our dog friends!  we 1ook forward to seeing them.

we have 1ots of different friends from different p1aces and times in our 1ife...

dog friends..summer friends...sai1ing friends....friends because of our kids...friends from schoo1s...friends through our kids' sports 1ike coaches and the parents spending years on the side1ines....work friends...friend1y neighbors....friends come to us in many ways. i'm gratefu1 for my friends...o1d and new, young and o1d,  near and far, cats and dogs........

just sayin'...

School started Tuesday.  Today is Thursday. I received an e-mail today from the school closing! superintendent.  It was to notify us of an early dismissal tomorrow, Friday.  I'm thrilled! Already there's a school closing

It's very nice for all of us. When Grace and T.J. arrived home this afternoon, T.J.announced that they would be having an "EARLy  Dismissal." 

Already this week, we've lived through homework.

T.J has done a short power point presentation with great tension since it could only be done on Biff's computer....Biff was in Boston at homework time.

We've covered geometry books, spanish books and  history books. 

Grace has spent hours of deliberation over clothing choices.

We've cut off the computer and x-box for the week....most of the week.

Grace has announced many times that she's "stressed out" because of the new school year! 

We've packed healthy lunches, bought healthy snacks. 

We've all worked on getting to sleep earlier and waking up without drama. 

We've had to do the a.d.d. selection of the school picture package....which they make so confusing that we are forced to plunk down millions of dollars just to get the form filled out. Then, our students need to select one of 238 back rounds which must coordinate with the clothing selection for picture day. 

We've had e-mail communications with the Guidance Counselor... T.J. found out that chorus was not the mandatory elective as his sister advised.  Phew! He likes music, he enjoys many different styles from rock classics to hard rock to rap to marching bands and salsa!  Just kidding about the salsa...I think.  It could have changed this afternoon.  The good news is that both kids enjoy a wide variety of music.....I digress!  

All of that and more for 3 1/2 days of school!  Wouldn't it have been simpler to just waited until after Labor Day? Did I mention that the schools are closed for some of the Jewish Holidays this month!  They may not have a 5 day week until after Columbus Day.......

Just sayin'.

Like it or not, Earl is heading for Connecticut

Our newsrooms have been busy covering all things Earl throughout the day.
As it stands right now, Earl is a Category 3 hurricane off the coast of North Carolina and is expected to start impacting our area around Friday afternoon. For our readers in New Haven county, as you probably realize, you’re already in a tropical storm warning.


We’ve also got a really useful interactive map on CTPost.com with the absolute latest Earl trackings.

2010 Life is good Festival

The festival will feature a first-of-its-kind fundraising component,rewarding festival attendees who raise money for The Life is good Kids Foundation with exclusive hospitality, preferred viewing, artist meet and greets and other prizes. Fundraisers will be called VGP’s – Very Good People – and will have a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. You can sign up to be a fundraiser to upgrade your ticket during the ticket purchase process.

Life is good Festival will also feature interactive art exhibits,hands-on games and activities, great local food and the “Good Kids” zone featuring kid-friendly music and dozens of fun activities for the little ones.

Tickets are on sale now click here. Prices are: $50 for single day pass / $90 for 2-day pass / Kids 6-12 are $10 and Kids 5 and under are FREE!

**************************************************************************

Life is good!

Isn't this wonderful?    I want to take our kids.  It is such a great group of people doing so much good. The proceeds help kids in need....many different kids with a variety of needs. This is kids helping kids.  I am always impressed by the many ways that people come up with to help others...big scale or small scale!

I do hope our kids still have these kind of ideas....they matter.

sometimes it's overwhelming....so many to give to.... so many in need....I do believe that we all want to give....there are just so many ways to give that it gets overwhelming.

*Hospice volunteer...doing art therapy with the patients...I get more from the patients than They ecver got from me.  Those patients are in my heart everyday.

*Junior League volunteer opportunities....with children, women starting over, cooking and having dinners with people who had been homeless and were working there way back up.....projects that were "Done in a day"...those were awesome because they allowed us to do different work with a variety of groups.

*Volunteering with "High Hopes" in Old Lyme, Ct. working with autistic children and special needs children who came to ride the horses as therapy.  I walked alongside the horse and the child as we circled the indoor ring or walked outside on the trails. It was an incredible experience to see these children light up and sit up tall, high up on the horses and gallop and trot and walk an communicate with their horses. It was magical for me....and I'm not even in the horsey set!  I worked with people who had a passion for horses and the passion to help others find joy and self esteem through their work!

*volunteering with small scale beach clean ups.

*fundraising for my alma mater.

* volunteering in the thrift shop for Jr. league and here in ct., the a.b.c. thrift shop ( a better chance....funding smart, hard working kids who come from city schools to come live in connecticut and go to our schools)

* volunteering in our own schools with our own children.

* volunteering with church group, driving down south to help some people's homes that were affected by katrina.

 

*many forms of giving to our servicemen like sending Christmas packages to them 

or their families.

*volunteering with teenage moms who need to learn mothering skills.

  

SO MUCH TO GIVE. SO MUCH TO DO. THERE ARE SO MANY WHO NEED SO MUCH.  EVEN WHEN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE A LITTLE, TIME OR MONEY, IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME HOW GRATEFUL THE FULL TIME VOLUNTEERS ARE.....THEY ARE SO HUMBLE AND ALWAYS SO GRACIOUS AND WELCOMING!

WHY NOT VOLUNTEER? EVERYONE NEEDS HELP....

DONATE TO THE THRIFT SHOP?

SHOP IN THE THRIFT SHOP?

WHEN MONEY IS TIGHT AND ALL I CAN DO IS  GIVE TIME, THEY ARE GRATEFUL!

WHEN TIME IS TIGHT AND MONEY IS DONATED, THEY ARE GRATEFUL!

Those LIFE IS GOOD guys are inspiring!

Just sayin'. 

 

It's not you it's me, rutine: invented by George

Just thinking about so many of the kids we love....going off to college...i just had to write a message on facebook to one of the girls we've seen grow up....she's the big sister to one of Grace's friends....she's just a few years ahead of Grace and T.J.  We've known her since our Montessori days...for our kids...it's quite literally almost a lifetime....our children's lifetime!  

Annie....

Just want to wish you well as you begin your college life. Also...you may not realize this but you have been, and you still are, someone who Grace looks up to as a role model....for real. She's always taken note of your successes! I thank you for that. She needs that and she needs encouragement. She had a challenging freshman year so she's pretty psyched for a fresh start. So...thanks Annie ....and remember .....you never know who you touch!!!
Have a great year!

Then, Annie was sweet enough to write back .....

Thanks so much Mrs.Biff! I am glad I've been able to affect Grace, and I would love to have her here for a visit with Lilly, so I can expose them to what really hard work can turn into.

I look forward to seeing you guys when I come home. Thank you for all of your support.

Love,
Annie 

"It's not you, it's me."

"It's not you, it's me," as the old break up line goes. That's not the line I got this week.

I was "fired" from my doctor (physician's assistant) after choosing not to get a cat scan after my concussion.  My decision was due to outrageous pricing that would not be covered by our medical insurance.  The issue was not so much about me as it was about liability.  The physician's assistant called me again and again.  she called Biff. We were very clear about our health care and we were very clear about the cost which was astronomical.

I found my new physician.  So, off I go again working on building a rapport and doing my best to get comfortable with the new doc.  Comfortable is an odd word to use considering the open front dressing gown I am required to wear while laying on a leather? gray or tacky mauve table....oh, did I mention that it had stirrups.  "Awkward", as our kids say.  Yes. Awkward.

Now that I have found a new doctor who may or may not be the right fit.  I was proud to have gotten the appointment since it's kind of like going on a blind date or a job interview. It's awkward.  For both of us.  The new doctor appeared as though she was being interviewed. Maybe I should I have felt as though I was being interviewed. "Yeah, but No," as our kids say.

"Yeah, but No" because I have more fun being interviewed than I do getting the paycheck. The interview is my favorite part.  Unless it's not.  The interviews where I daydreamed about my dinner plans or date that evening or manicure were no fun.  The interviews that got me enthused and excited weren't necessarily because the job was the right fit....it may have been the location of the office, the people, the stories I encouraged the interviewer to tell about themselves! The interviewer felt so engaged answering MY questions that they were thrilled to hire me! If I got the job, "Yeah, but no" came to mind.  

It wasn't fair....I loved interviewing so much.  It was usually after the job description that I lost interest or the reality of the hours or the pay that halted my intererst.It was a shame that I didn't want the job! I love interviewing so much, I should have gone the Oprah route.  Oops...there I go again...daydreaming...just like the interviews!

Today I received a letter from another health care provider.  It seemed to be telling me that I had been warned or fired.....because of missing some appointments while on vacation. I think that's what the letter said.  If it was in a movie, I would have held the letter in my hand....with the music of foreshadowing playing in the backround. "Oh, come on!" as or kids say.....You know the music of foreshadowing....just stop for a second....look out the window.  Act forlorn or concerned.  

Anyway, the cancellations were like "pre-existing" cancellations...my caregiver had vacations during that time period too! "Go Figure?" as our kids say. It may be a misunderstanding. Although, times are tough.  Maybe it makes sense.  My own caregivers are downsizing.  Maybe it's time. Someone decided to fire the patients. I didn't get that memo.  Another pink slip? "Whatever", as our teenagers say. That means I get to interview some more!

Oh...one more expression I got from the kids....." just sayin' "

HOT!

Why is it always a million degrees when school starts?  It's so hot that i had to leave the beach today.  The dogs were romping and frolicking near the water. I tried to get Fitzy into the water and that's when I realized it was to hot to be at the beach.  I was tugging and pulling this kooky dog while Daisy plunking her nice furry, golden body into the crystal clear water when i realized I was the one who was too hot.  That's when I resorted to walking in...the water...sneakers and all.  I tugged Fitz one more time.  Then she came in.  Quirky? Yes.  Once I went in, Fitzy followed.  I had to leave once we were all wet.  It was too hot to walk at 8 in the morning! It's too hot to sit.  It's too hot to write.  T.J. and Grace want to go to the new YMCA today. Indoors? A.C.? Pool?  Sounds good to me! 

This is a great motivator....this is on the fridge and it makes me think.  Some days, it seems as if I missed the boat on that wonder woman career.  sure, I've had some awesome experience at the finest companies.  I've worked very hard and had some great responsibilities and fabulous experiences. I've also worked for some great people who made a difference in my life.

Some of those experiences were very exciting and empowering. It's nice to know. yet, I never had any giant achievements.  Nothing BIG.  I think in the 80's, woman believed we could conquer the world.  We could be anything!  I just didn't know how.  I also had New York City which may have distracted me and created it's own challenges....I loved it and wanted to experience all of it! .

Being married and having children is greater than I ever could have believed or imagined!  Now, that's my career.  That's been my career for the last 17 years.  Their are good days and there are not so successful days...real or perceived.  Everyday, since having children, is important. Everyday i can make a difference.  Everyday i can try to make it my best.  Some days are more challenging than others.

Those are some of the days that i'm hardest on myself.  Those are the days when I question how good a mother I really am. I'm a harsh critic.  With babies, then toddlers and small kids, young kids....it seems so hard...until we get to this teen stuff.  We want our teens to know how to make goo choices and we have to

let them figure it out on their own with what we've taught them or shown them by example....that's the tricky part.

It seems that there are notonly helicopter parents who hover and try to do some of that work for the teen/young grown up and now, i have just heard that their are velcro parents!  That's wild!  Again, I commend Mrs. T at Montessori for shutting that door to the classroom or maybe I would be sitting at lunch in the high school right now!

E-bay came at the perfect time for me.  I have more time to do the work, I want to contribute, I want to do something I love, the kids are old enough to understand it and learn from it, Biff is very enthusiastic about it and best of all..... I work my own hours!

believe it or not....that fridge magnet is all I need to keep pushing ahead!  In my mom life and my own store on e-bay!  Oh! Biff's enthusiasm and support make a difference too.  Really.  At first, he thought it was just a passing interest.  Now, he can appreciate my experience and know how and enjoymen and contribution!  It's never too late to be what you might have been. o.k. it's not that big, but it's just the right big an I have the chance to make it as big as I want!

Moments

Moments....sweet memories of these beautiful children going off to school. 2 are in high school? How could this be? It seems like just yesterday we were walking them to Montessori in the jog stroller....I walked home crying after dropping them off. I cried. I worried how they would do it without me...how they would enjoy it....would it be warm and nurturing?

Biff and I watched them get on the bus together...Grace in second grade...T.J. new to the bus in first grade. We've seen all of these transitions ...some they make together...looking out for each other. Some they handle on their own. They are good kids. They are sweet kids with kind and compassionate hearts.They make friends easily. They have good heads on their shoulders. They know they have to.make good choices to do well as they maneuver these new challenges...I pray they will. I trust them. I love them more than I ever could have known....all of my years deeming of being a mom...I had no idea how intense this love would be. I want what's best for them..

They'll have to figure some of that out on their own...individually ...with the knowledge, example and smarts of their own...and make their own mistakes...it's the only way. I want to save them from that pain and any setbacks...but they must experience some in order to grow and become more experienced....all with their own mistakes,successes and failures ....just like I did....I hope that they'll feel safer knowing they have a soft place to fall..because Biff and I will always be here for them.

...

beach night before school tomorrow.....

A lovely night after some back to school organizing at home.
Grace spent lots of time reviewing her clothing options for the first day while T.J., the freshman to be took some time trying to list the books he read over the summer.
I had my own errands to run for e-bay and back to school preparations. No matter how calm the atmosphere, there always seems to be an underlying angst in the air....not a bad angst...just high energy with an edge.

It's no wonder...no matter how much we enjoy school, it's that feeling of a new start, change of routine and work after a more than relaxing summer.

I'd love to post a photo of this quiet ending to our wonderful summer. It's peaceful with only scattered groups of people here for Monday night barbeques and a few sailors and swimmers. T.J. has home off in the distance on the sail boat. He had an old friend with him today. They both had a summer's worth of catching up to do...and much to discuss about the upcoming school year. Upcoming was an understatement. By the time they got stuck out on the sound with no wind, towed back to shore by the harbormaster....got the boat taken care of, grabbed a bite to eat at the snack bar...it was time to get back home and into the shower! The school bus would be outside in less than less than 12 hours! Grace and Biff made it down just in time to help with the boat and have some last minute fun and wrap up what was left of a beautiful day.

That all sounds too perfect...doesn't it? That was the good stuff because I 'm just to tired to mention some of the drama throughout the day!!! Everything's better at the beach! Let me live in the dream!







!

Here I am writing my blog from my cell phone! What a world! For as long as I can remember, I have written in journals or written stories. The first story I ever put down on paper was for my mom. I was 6 or 7...I only know this because I can recognize my lovely attempt at Catholic School handwriting..and my spelling was a bit iffy...even though I excelled at 2nd grade spelling bees.

My stories back then were on index cards with my own illustrations. My story was of my hometown.

My story was written in pencil...with lots of eraser smudging.


Here I am today writing some tidbits on my cell....what a crazy world!

On the other hand, my battery seems to be fading. I don't know if this will be a common practice
But it is amazing to be able to write when the spirit moves.....life is cool. My markers still make nevertheless happy. My cross pen writes well. A sharpened pencil is awesome too. For now...I'm on my Droid!

o.k. promise......one more grateful moment!

I just saw that some more comments were posted that I never knew about.  You know how people say that we never know how the kind things we do or say may make a difference......they do!  Thank you.

I really do think we each make a difference in other people's lives everyday.  Truly make a difference. Just by the simplest things.  I know I still remember some of the kindest faces and words spoken...from strangers....God's little angels he puts in our life to keep us on track!  Hopefully we can all make a difference by the little things.  The simple things.  Keep it simple.  Quiet goodness makes a difference.  If we take the time to notice the goodness...in the simple things.

Just sayin'.

YIKES!   just saw this photo and thought we should all take a moment to enjoy every moment of summer!  Just sayin'.

Some simple joys being back home after an awesome summer......

Daisy and Fitzy.

Waking up and seeing Daisy sleeping on her bed next to ours.

Jinx the black cat.

Having Jinx walk on my back when he's particularly affectionate or wants to go out or have his food dish filled.

Happy the cat...who is now missing and we are so sad.

Sitting in our peaceful, shabby chic, living room with the large picture window...enjoying the view.

Driving up our driveway.

Walking the dogs down the hill at night.

This computer since my little Barbie style Pink computer had the famous "L" problem.

Time in our yard....even mowing our lawn....being grateful for the little quirks of our house.

Our family together and home with Biff....even though he was with us on the cape for lots of our time there.

Our dining room that pleasures me.

Walking the dogs for long walks and having friends from town beep and wave as they go by.

Our little beach with our beach friends and beach/sailing talk.

Our neighbors exchanging hello's and chatting.

Friends riding bikes past our house with a wave and a shout hello.

Griff falling asleep while I'm writing my blog late at night.......a good time to say good night.

Thanks for stopping by!  I missed my blog.....who knows if anyone else did.....I'm still grateful that I have my blog!  It's a comfy place for me.  Whoever you may be who does pop in to read....I'm grateful for you too! Really grateful. Just sayin'. Thanks.

Facebook to Blog to E-bay store.....and now I've learned a new dimension of the cyberworld.  I've heard about this...it's something that I've heard and seen apps for....podcasts.  Go figure.  StarTrek was not my world.  The ugly stretch suits and ears turned me off.  Actually, there little starship gave me a little claustrophobia.  There computer board seemed so dull.  The show had so little color. I could go on and on. It was surreal.

Now I'm living it. Facebook, Blogs, E-bay store.....podcasts? I thought the word cubical a.k.a "cube" was forward.  That was like The Jetsons.  

While waiting for  T.J. at his friend's house , I chatted with his mom.  She has a Podcast!  I was thrilled and "WOW!" was the only word that came to me.  I said, " I have a blog but a podcast....that's cool!"  "What's a podcast?"  "Where does one find a podcast?"  "Why do you have a podcast"  "What do you put on your podcast?"

Katie told me that she writes and illustrates childrens' books!  My dream!  I was thrilled to know someone who was successful at my dream....a dream that I that overwhelmed me.....she really did it....many times!  I wanted to know more....but there was no time.  Places to go...people to see....specifically, Jackson Brown!

Before I drove off, she explained how to get to her podcast.....she encouraged me....she explained....she instructed.....whatever.....all I heard was Charlie Brown's teacher......."Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah....."  I came home.   I asked Grace for help. She only knew about i-tunes.  I remembered....bit by bit it came to me....i-tunes....podcasts....Brain Burps by Katie Davis.  Children's books.  Adorable.  Fun illustrations.

More to learn!  Crazy.  

E-bay.  Today.  One Ralph Lauren Handbag.  One pair of Banana Republic Nantucket Red pants.  One shirt.  One A.T.T. Push Button Phone.  One April Cornell Handbag.  Random!   Wacky!  SOLD!  More to list.  More to do.  

Life comes first.  Family.  Mowing the lawn!  Laundry.  Find those vacuum bags that no one in the universe seems to carry.  Grace's new backpack for school.....called 6 stores within a thirty mile radius. Maybe eight stores.  Online doesn't count...that would be two of us searching at different google hits.

A school backpack is a big commitment.  The right one makes all of the difference.  Like a husband.  Like a wife. You don't want to just grab any backpack....or any husband. If you find yourself with the wrong one, it could be one thing after another.  Little glitches along the path of life.  It could be uncomfortable...the backpack....or the wrong husband.  It could feel too tight or not enough space.....the back pack or the husband.  It has to fit just right.  It has to be comfortable.  It has to be flexible. It has to be unique.  It has to have aor different days. It has to have endurance to get through the tough times....the backpack and the husband.  It has to have room to grow.....it has to grow with you....it needs to be strong....it needs to have lots of pockets to deal with different aspects of your life.....most of all, everything should feel right.  It's just something you know....No one can find it for you....Others may have an idea of what you like....the backpack and the husband.....when you know, you know.....just like everyone says.  Grace just knew. She has a good head on her shoulders and she wants the right backpack on her back.  She had lots of choices. She knew the right backpack to that would fit just right.  I hope she's learned that from my example....for the backpack and someday.....a long time from now.....the husband.

After checking out many possibilities.....she just knew the right one.  She would not settle for any old backpack.  She's a girl who knows what she wants! I called the store to make sure it was there....it was.....no wild goose chase for Grace.  I made sure they would hold it for Grace to pick up.  She just knew it was right.  She found just the right one.  She took her dad to pick it up at the store today.  He approved.  He knows what's good for his daughter.

By the way, T.J. found just the right backpack....perfect for him.  He knew.  Just like that!  He and I were out for some T.J. back to school clothes. We came upon quite a few choices.  After checking them out, trying them on for size and fit, he knew it was the one.  Look.  Fit.  Size. Style.  Flexibility. Dimensions.  Not quite so much drama.  He knew.  He just knew.  I hope he's learned that from Biff's example for the backpack and someday.......a long time from now........the wife!  

If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans....I think that's how the saying goes.  Since we've been home from the cape that's how our lives have been.  As we say, quoting Seinfeld, "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

We arrived home Saturday night. Sunday we never got the boat back down to the beach. It was pretty windy and rainy.  Lightning and sailboat masts don't play well together. We took care of things around the home that we had been away from....the animals we missed....and the cozy of a dark day.  It was a great day to make our transition.

Monday I can't remember.  It was busy...kids seeing their friends and loving their home and back to school shopping for some wardrobe basics and school supplies. Whoosh....a blur.

Tuesday I can't remember.  It was busy.  Oh! I had my doctor's appointment, got home and took Grace and T.J. to their doctor's appointment.  We began our trip to the store for an errand when Grace realized it was time for her hair appointment.  Later, we tried to go to IKEA as a family outing....plus Kara, Grace's good friend that we love.  IKEA was closed when we arrived at the doors.  People were standing at the doors....stunned and confused.  We were among them.  We began our drive home.  Grace was begging for another stop to take care of another back to school purchase.  No. No. No.  We couldn't handle it.

Then, we accomplished the famous annual sneaker purchase.  I was releived to have Biff with me for multiple consultations.

Since we had planned to have one of IKEA's famous hot dog and drink followed by the frozen yogurt, we were starving.  We stopped to have dinner at the diner.  Quite a stretch from our little IKEA plans. BUT our kids had sneakers.  We all had lots of laughs in the car going and coming and sitting in the diner.

Wednesday Biff had a quick overnight to Boston.  After that, I can't remember what happened. We had more to accomplish in our home.  We had lots of errands.

Wednesday I can't remember but I do have a vague memory of cooking a pretty nice dinner for T.J., Grace and I.

Thursday I can barely remember.  Grace, T.J. and I got the sailboat down to the beach and got the mast in and set in place.....Grace and T.J. were charming together.....but, they got the job done.  I did get to walk the dogs at the beach with a friend and her happy dog. Biff arrived home.We had a nice dinner. We went to say goodbye to a family friend who was leaving for college.  We spent time with the family but not the college freshman to be.....even his mom and dad were surprised by the change of plans.  They had hoped for their first son to be home for a "family dinner" and a little goodbye gathering.  The freshman to be was visiting friends who were off to other schools.  We had a delightful time and left messages on the white board.

Friday I can barely remember.  A whirlwind.  T.J. had high school orientation while Grace volunteered as a sophomore giving tours to the incoming freshman.  I delivered kids in different directions and began my plans for dinner at the beach on this gorgeous day with not a cloud in the blue sky.  Biff called my cell phone.  He was excited to be on his way home and reminded me of the concert tickets he suprised me with last weekend.  Surprised again, I forgot all about the concert.  Jackson Browne.  Dinner at the beach was not an option. Beach was not an option.

I do remember mailing lots of littlemarymixup e-bay store this week.  Biff had 2 pair of wonderful needlepoint shoes in his car....since the cape.  Since he had them, Biff mailed them out for me.  No sooner were they in the mail to California when I found that the wrong pair of needlepoint shoes were on their way cross country!  oops.

We have planned all summer to go with our cape friends to a local quarry that they've turned into a wonderful action packed adventure venue.  At 6 p.m. tonight, we made the decision to do it another time.  Our good friends invited us back to the cape for the weekend!  T.J. made other plans with some summer friends who are only here for another week.  Grace would love to go.  Biff and I would love to go.

Tonight, on the way to Jackson Browne, we realized our planning must come to a halt.  We need to just be.  One more time to the cape is so enticing.  I mowed the front lawn this week....I ran out of gas half way through.  I filled the tank.  I brought it home......I still have to mow the rest.  We have life to catch up on.  Even if it's just the back yard.  And the laundry. And the dogs getting brushed..  I did wash them.  They smell lovely but they have bed head.  

Our vacuum has no bags....has anyone seen Eureka OX bags....mail them to us please....we can't track them down.  Lots of sand on the kitchen floor.   Dog fur.  We're sliding down a slippery slope......planning doesn't seem to be the answer....plans change.

Can we ever catch up on life?  Should we try.  Should we be like the family who sold everything, left their jobs and busy-ness, packed up 100 things and moved to Portland, Oregon....so they could live in close proximity to their new jobs, ride bikes to work and live with less and have more........Biff and I thought about that tonight as we drove home listening to Jackson Browne sing, "oh won't you stay just a little bit longer.....please, please, please say you'll stay"

we have to stay.  our plans will change before we find our 100 things.