I just need to smile.

My Dad has his surgery.  It went as well as expected.  My Mom was/is his nurse.  The one picture we received via text is a little bummer.  His head is bandaged and he looks a little weepy.  He is strong.   He will get through it.  I can only imagine he is happy it's over.  We all are. Now the healing begins.  We have rain.  And it rained all night.  And I didn't sleep very well.  And I worry.  Don't know the reason, might be the season.  Bam with the rhym skillz rapper Leese.  Maybe it's just the accumulation of things.  Today is Thursday while I blog, to land at your eyes on Friday.  So maybe Friday will be better.  AS a MATTER of fact, I know it will.  It WILL.

 

I scan through pictures in search of my blogging ones...and I stumble across some that take me back to lazy relaxing cozy days.  Like this.  On the dock.  By the water.  No schedule.  Just us.  Simple peace. And snap, just like that, summer is over.  Winter is upon us.  Rain will come. But these memories will make me smile.  Smile, Leese, smile. 

Especially when your new little cousin Kennedy is one week old. And super adorable.  Welcome to this fun wild life Kennedy.  Welcome little sweet sugar.  How I miss this age of cuddles and snuggles.  How I miss it....

And that one picture in Cabo that I will forever regret I didn't buy.  Shoulda coulda.  Someday I will go back.  Someday.  I might own this.  #cabohasbeautifulartgalleries. 

And surf shacks on the beach in Cabo.  All of these things make me smile.  And I am forever grateful I was able to share this with my eyes.  I am.  My friend Shelly lost her best friend yesterday.  Less than 1 week that C word came back with a vengeance and took her away from 2 daughters, one K age, and the other just in college, and an awesome hubs.  Not to mention the many friends and people she touched.  She is gone.  Just like that.  Gone.  When into the hospital on Sunday, gone on Wednesday.  So when I feel sorry for myself today, or tonight, or tomorrow, I must remind myself.  Things are always harder for someone else.  Life is good.  Live it people. Live it.  WE are not guaranteed tomorrow.  Drink good wine.  Eat good organic food. Smile often, and pray like no other.  Happy Friday Fellers. 

Oh. You know those things.

Good things like...Pre-League Games.  Ayala.  Oooorahhh.

Gonna take em down, down, down. 

And just like that.   A shut out.  Hello Ayala.  Griffins take the win.  Boom. #23 you rock sweet cheeks, you rock. And I love watching you.  I love it baby.

And you find out Gianni's Family treated our family to a Christmas Tree this year.  Not this little feller, but a beautiful big feller.  #yourockcastillos.  #supportgriffinbaseball

And these little smiles, and those years still melt me. Looking back, adorbs.

And today this man in the grey that I call "Dad" will have surgery.  A pretty big deal, yet doesn't want, and absolutely refused my visit or help.  Talk about a hard phone call.  Yes, I hung up in more tears. I've lived with hard parenting lessons.  He DOES NOT want us to see him in pain.  Just thinking about it while I type makes me cry.  So...moving on.  His brother, my uncle pictured is his rock.  Thank God they have eachother.  Good luck Dad. I will pray all.day.long.  Please pray for him too.  For my Mom. For their life.  Tough stuff. 

And just the view of these two girls.  Best friends.  Mac is K's rock. K is Mac's rock.  The best friend that brought goodies and gave so much love to her while she recovered from that kick azz virus will forever earn "BEST FRIEND OF THE YEAR".  Love you girlie. Love you.

If I haven't mentioned to you about Full Moons.  Well, it's in full effect.  Watch out for tension and rude people.  Criminals and freaks are out in full force.  Breathe in and breathe out.  It should pass by Friday.  The only awesome thing to catch?  The high tide and big waves. Oh, and the beauty of that big ol' moon..awesomeness. 

Seriously this stuff cracks me up. Walked into my office this morning past this dude.  shouldn't there be a reward?  I mean, come on, that is one important element in here right now.  Black Friday sale was through the roof top and the dust pan is really killing things.  come back dust pan.  come back.  HA Now on to things that turn my stomach?  Up at 5am.  Sipping my coffee in a quiet dark house.  Turn the news on.  I hear....LA Jails are full of Teachers Accused of misconduct.  And GUESS what?  While some wait during the process, some still receive a salary while on administrative leave, which is costing our cities and counties close to 1.4 Million.  An additional 865,000 in substitute salaries while they are pardoned from their duties as teachers.  Now don't get me wrong, as I understand some teachers/coaches/peers are mistakenly accused, and trust me, I feel for ya. Well, kind of.  But those other SOB'S that have molested, touched, guided children down a path of violations?  They can rot in a dungeon if you ask me.  This morning was a gloomy one.  It was a cold, dreary, gloomy one.  As I drove off down the road after dropping my K off, I was flooded with tears.  Flooded with emotions.  Some might be fatigue.  Some might be the weather, and the full moon. But little things trigger me.  And if it has anything to do with kids, animals, family..etc, it floods me with emotions.   So I will look at the above sign today as much as I can.  It will make me smile. It will remind me that dust pans do matter.  That life is fast.  And we should enjoy being here while we can.  I have a few people in my life that are battling some gnarly stuff.  It's a reminder people.  Take it easy.  Smile at the unfortanate.  Don't judge, for you NEVER truly know what's going on.  And life could always be much worse.  Pray for my Dad.  Pray for my Mom.  And will you keep an eye out for Fatal's Dust Pan? Thanks.  Love you all. 

Things that made me smile.

Christy Lynn's Golf Tournament.  Good Job Paulie.  She will always be tucked in many hearts.  Because of you. Because of your little slice of family.  Good work kids.  Good work.

And if you all don't recognize this feller with my feller, that would be Carlos Santana.  He supports Christy's Law, and family too....(why'd he cut that beautiful hair?)

oh, and these fellers need to be on my feet like now.  I want them.  Take note Santa baby.  These right here.  I heart them.  Stay warm little ones here in the south.  It's burrrr out.  That's for sure.  While I drove my little Miss around last night buying new shin guards and her favorite pencils at Staples, I realized seat warmers rock.  The cool weather makes it super hard to stay productive at night.  And hot chocolate is the new popular in my house.  Oh. and topped with whipped cream and a little cinnamon? stop it.  try it.  Then do push ups.  Or, lay in bed on your heating pad.  #badgirl. Enjoy the rain little duckies.  Stay in.  Or stay out and wear your rain boots.  With lobsters.  Or whatever rain boots you have.  Wear em and smile.  Happy Wednesday kids.  Be good.  Be kind. Work hard.  Guess who's playlist was pushed out into the atmosphere?  yes, me.  And everyone else that had mixpod.  Done. Gone.  Boom.  (Mindi, I will let you know when I find another....)

Whirlwind of fun....Thanksgiving 2012

Today I woke reflecting on  the wonderful meals.  Wanting more stuffing and this corn cake thing, but it seems all such a distant memory.  Sad huh?

As most of you know I host a dinner on Wednesday before THEE actual day for who else, but Miss. K.  She insists on all the warmth of home, food, and cozy.  And that I try hard to do.  Just for her.  Pictured above are K, Gio and Tori. Working hard on peeling potatoes.....Believe it or not, that job helped me more then most people might even know....

Dad makes Mom a Marg.

Moving on.....

These years. 

My cousins made and brought this to us....oh from 800 miles away..that's all.   Melted my heart.  Anything homemade is a melter. 

And we had friends drive from afar.....Maddie rockin' Fatal. 

Who would think you'd be in the pool at the end of November. 

Little Summer sunshine.

Swimming on Thanksgiving.  Good for the soul.

They said so.

So we ventured off to Fox's on the river.  Thanksgiving Day 2012  Temps at 75.

And the sound of a fast boat making a pass?  Super.

Kali getting us on down the road to home....

Time for Gingerbread houses

Life is always better at the lake....

Off to Desert Bar.  My cousin sportin' her mini-van rental.  Boom.  #wegotthis   6 miles down a dirt road

800 miles to see family?  Kind fellers.

Just this vision.  The prettiest, cleanest, styled little girl standing this close to dirt bikes.  Funny. 

Desert Dirt bowl. haha.

First timers....

people with personality.  #itisadummy

Another year.  Desert Bar.  Full of dust, smiles and big laughter. 

Funny after our house empties.  Quiet over comes us.  Though you miss everyone.  It all seems to have flown by.  It just does.  You wonder if everyone enjoyed what you gave.  You wonder if the weather could have ever been more perfect.....

You wonder if these moments we share together will be forever embedded.....

Because I know that we love to have family and friends right along with us......

And these moments together mean more to us.....

Because time is flying.....

And the moments fall into place and fade.....and you cherish every single second.

especially when you know you've saved these birdies nests from B.  #hero

And someday they may all have different plans....

And maybe different directions.....

But you were able to catch most, and give them some of this.....

Because before you know it.....

Santa will be here....and winter will be deep into our hearts....

Love it. Live it. 

Happy Holidays little turkeys.  I hope the week, and weekend treated you good.  I woke up exhausted this morning.  I just am.  When you host, cook, entertain, party....it all is a blur when you drink your drank, laugh away the nights, and pack it up for another moment.   I hope this week treats you all good.  Smile.  And work hard.  Forget about all that Black Friday and Cyber deal buzz. It's overrated.  Relax, and enjoy these days.  Eat good food.  Spend time where you want.  Love eachother, and play fair.   This week will share soccer games, lots of work, meetings and deadlines.  But that's life.  It's what we do.  Boom. Go do it.  Thanks for waiting for my return.  Blogscmlog.  I missed you.  and you....and you....