Mom, I am not feeling well.

 This is what I hear last night after the football game.  Her red eyes, and sore throat were all tall tail signs.  She has what Dad had.  (no, i don't have a semi-mullet pictured here)

When they are little, you swaddle them in blankets, and dote over every inch, assuring that everything will be ok.

And at this age, you start to worry when there is a fever....because they can tell you just how bad it hurts....

While they lay in bed....you worry, but you serve them.  Oh. So. Well.

And at night you still toss and turn that she'll be ok, and that fever medicine should do the trick. And Red Solo cups aren't just for the parents. HA

Because these sweet little innocent days go by faster than I would have ever imagined.

And that's because she slept with me.  I would watch her every aching move.....hearing her breath.

Just waiting for happy times again....

While colds and flu bugs do their thang.  ugh.

But today she is curled up in her room.   Missing her drivers behind the wheel that she couldn't wait to get done...

Knowing that her Mom still has her back.  And call button for nursing.

When going to L Christian Church Camp was the scariest adventure she'd been on.

And those words "watch us Mom" were relentless at the time, but soon to be missed.

And the days when she'd want to stay with B and I wherever, and whenever she could....

And the social life starts to creep into the chapters of life....

Well, and alot of family social things too....

School, Academics and Sports consume like no other too.

Winning the game.  And giving every bit of effort to do so.

And this sweet feller enters Chapter 16. 

And called first thing this morning with his requests of "what can I bring over?"  and can I come over and just be with you and help you?  And so the feeling starts to change a little as a Mommy.  I've cleaned her room....I know roll your eyes, I shouldn't and don't anymore...but I cut her some slack, after all, it looks like swine flu and west Nile could possible grow in there if not immediately tended to.  Or maybe something grew out of the pile of clothes "that she decided not to wear, Tues. Wed. Thur and Fri"? So I did.  I left her Tea, bedside. Her Advils close by too.  Lots of cough drops and fluids.  She will be fine.  She must rest.  I must watch. I will clean and do all things I want today.  Which is watch cooking channels, clean a little.  Organize where needed...play nurse and drop-in inspector when G arrives.  She will be ok.  Day 1. The flu bug.  Thank God not the tummy one.  Just a gnarly head, throat, and chest.  We have an early game tomorrow, and her coach is relying on her.  This chick better pull through today.  How are you spending your Saturday?  Remember to treat yourself to something sweet.  Something for YOU.  Smile on the inside and outside too.  It helps change the attitude for you and for those that surround you.  Oh.  And don't forget to drink good wine.  I certainly will.  Count down for my B to come home. Yes, I miss you buddy.  I do.  Cheers to you kids.  Have fun.  Think of me while you do.  I'll be mixing hot tea and giving sweet treats to those little birds while she heals.  holla.

How many more days B?

Yes, I am counting down.  B and me.  In our favorite cove. 

Because I miss you.  So much.  It's Friday.  And we normally count down for happy hour and dinner. 

But I will wait.  And I will count down the days and hours for this adventure. 

Because soon, we will be heading here, for our fav drink and popcorn.  Together.  Count down has begun buddy.

I am sure you all love Friday's too.  Unless you work tomorrow, well than, not so much.  But can I get a holla back?  Friday's rock. Unless your partner in crime is a traveling feller.  You must wait.  Or....not.  HA! I must celebrate this Friday. Someway, somehow.  I certainly want Happy Hour over shopping...but than again....I might just end up shopping.  And you ALL know how much I despise the mall.  yuck. 

Cheers to you, and you, and you!!  XO

Stay cool.  Or HOT for yo dude. 

Things that make me scratch my head Thursday....

When I thought this was enough.  I can't/couldn't sit through one episode.  Lame.  Maybe it's my age.  Who knows.  Really.  But wow.  Patronize drunk knuckleheadnesssluttyness (is that a word?) 

And this landed on my tv screen. several times. I watch all of 30 seconds.  Just seeing this on my channel descriptions as I am channel surfing, makes my tummy hurt.  weird.  weird. Those poor little girls as they age....seriously.  And maybe we'll see a show evolve from this in 10 years.  ?  yucky.

 Let's just get it out and say it.  This Honey boo boo family is effed up.  Sorry if my judgmental moment offends anyone, but really?!  There are 4 daughters, from 4 different men, people.  The oldest just had a baby with two. thumbs.  Go figure.  Sorry to be so rude, and don't read me wrong.  As I know there are many of us that think this is mean to even think bad about kids, people...and such.  But wow.  This show takes the cake for me.  It really does.  It makes me scratch my head this Thursday.  Thanks to my viewing of this last night, I couldn't fall asleep very easily.  It was beyond humorous and is really quite revolting. 

On to gratitude?  My sweet sugar lover traveled, all. day. long to here yesterday.  Florida.  The Surf expo.  Big, good things happening people.  This is all Surf, Snow, and Skate.  Fatal is taking over.  So proud of you Billy-o.  Go get em.   He sends me little pictures because he knows I LOVE to save for another day....or blogem-schmloggem.  Most of all, that he is ok.  And misses me. At least that's what I tell myself.  Well, and he sends me little love notes texts.  We pinky promised each other years ago, that those notes mean more than elaborate gushy goods. Well sometimes. HA!  I miss him so much already.  

Hey players, we're almost to my favorite day of the week.  Whats your plan?  Mine is soccer, soccer, soccer.  Oh, and laundry.  Mine only. 

Boom.   Watch something worthwhile educating ones self.  Not any of the above.  For goodness sakes. 

However you must remember.

Life is short. 

Your time here is limited.  It is people.

Let Love grow.  AND have fun! 

L

What does Fall mean to you?

I know us California birds have a hard time jumping into the season when our temps are reaching 85 degrees....while every store is stuffed to the brim with all harvest and fall goodies...I am getting excited for all things Fall.  I just am.

I do love pumpkins and the look of leaves falling from the trees.  I don't know if it's the miracle of this process or more the beauty of it.  After all, I don't have a huge maple tree like my neighbor who works all September and October clearing them.  It sure is pretty for me while I pull in.  I love all scents that remotely remind me of the cool temps, pumpkin pies and cinnamon.  Not to mention "Pumpkin Spice" that arrived in Starbucks today.  Can I get a holla back yo?

Some of my favorite moments are catching a sunset near the lake.....

Or near the ocean.  Each one of these are spectacular in October and November.  They. Just. Are. My tip to you folks that "don't care for the beach, because of the sand...or the mess"  go there.   Try it.  Bundle up.  Walk a pier. Park by the curbside.  Catch a sunset.  Reflect.  Pray.  Cry.  Sing.  But catch a sunset.  It's good for you.  Vitamin S.  ha!  Well, we've landed on humpday.  Have a good week sillies.  Work hard, to play harder.  Drink good coffee, smile often and remember those that can't...or struggle with it.  They need your smiles.  That's fo sho.  

We meet again.

A simple text from my Mama on Saturday morning.."check out our huge sunflower with a little friend".   Followed by, "what's your plan this weekend, river or beach?" 

Well, you see Mama, we had no plans.  Which were the best.  A big party Saturday night.."Happy 50th Peggy"!  And simple text messages to our friends for this gathering. 

Because it's friends like this, that join by the water.  Sail in sabats.  Like it's nobody's business.  She's. That. Darn. Good. Jodee sailboatie.  you simply rock. you just do.

And when the sweetest dude arrives to share more sunshine....well...life is just sweet. 

and our buddy Carmen arrives.  Champagne, beer and laughter.  typical goodness. 

Boy and Girl paddleboard around....

And your gurrrlfriend coordinates her beer with her shirt.  I mean, seriously, come on.  HA!

And peeps Ed fill yittle boats to try and splash all the other people on paddle boards.  rude. ha.

Like this girl that threw a dagger bad look, because yes, her hair was curled by the water side. duh.  

Cocktails, sunshine, matching shirts with beers, and laughter.  Simple fun. 

Especially with this smile. 

And these two little birdies.

Good-bye Summer 2012

Hello Hotayyyy. 

I was blessed with one. more. picture.  Before they left to another bbq gathering....sigh..

And when you compete for "who has the weirdest mouth in this picture"....I win.  (our first time cookin' in the kitchen...yes bacon grease was a' splatterin')

And they were waiting ever so patiently for some treats.  Mama and her baby girl. 

Mayyyybeee because they wanted some of this? 

Closer shot.  Yes, we dined on paper plates, yes, we LOVE salsa....Yes we had a super chill weekend.  When having no plans were the best plans. 

Reality.

It's starting to settle in again.  

Three day weekends are such a tease.  Kali brought up the word retirement this morning while we dined.

And let me just say, my mouth waters over just the word.  Some how I wonder what age I really will

be able to relax.  Completely.  Anyhoot, back to my weekend recap. It was exactly what we had in mind.

We have completely full schedules this week.  And with the ability to enjoy ocean water, vs. traveling from the lake with the possibility of traffic and knuckleheads, we stuck with ocean water.  I can't say I got in the h2O  this weekend, however my intentions were to.  But I did stick my feet in the water.  We had great conversations with Gianni and Kali...all weekend long.  We partied with longtime friends and danced to the best band ever.  Joe you rock.  We bbq'd with friends that have shared our love story for many many years.  The friends that can sit outside around the table and reminisce and laugh until way past my curfew. (cough) The moments we all secretly knew would be over and back to the work grind way before we knew or wanted it to.   I hope you all had a great weekend.  We had one birdie at the river.  They had a blast.  Apparently those hoodlums did a float with close to 50 people, tied together, drinking kool-aid, eh em, and partying like they are 23.  

I am prepared for the week.  I think.  I did my shopping.  Dinner for 2 days planned.  Lunches ready to throw together.  And reality ready to smack me in the cheeks.  Like seriously way. too. fast.

Well, it's time to hightail it outta here, so I can shower up, and lay my big ol' feet up high on my bed. 

Cheers to a good week ya crazy cats.

Come on Fall, bring it.  And your fancy candles, and cool mornings.  Bring it. 

Me.

Notes and a little sigh of relief.

Kali's notes.  She preps my coffee.  The night before.  It's part of our deal.  She left a note for morning.  Stuffed in my cup. It always makes me smile.  Especially on a Friday morning.  A quote from "The Outsiders". (my sisters favorite movie).  I was more amazed of her writing something so cool from 1980 something.  Thank you Kali.  You will always amaze me. 

And there was also a note from the school.  Dress code policy. In full force.  Beginning next Tues.  They. are. not. messing. around.  No more short shorts, and shirts exposing a tummy.  Can't blame them.  Kind of chuckled as she handed it to me.  After all, I wonder why I pay 40 buckaroo's for shorts from Brandi Melville...and the material couldn't cover a cat.....so.  There you have it kids.  She has been warned.  And not from me.  HA!.  ON A MORE HAPPIER POSITIVE NOTE:  ROMNEY / PAUL 2012 - Sounds a bit refreshing to me.  A quote I heard last night- " Why should success be punished" I am sure my hardworking successful friends can appreciate something positive on the horizon.  The sucky tough punishments of taxes and why money is handed to those folks that choose the opposite.  And yes, it is true.  Hard work pays.  Not working, or the mere fact of "trying" shouldn't pay.  There are ways to make success.  One just must TRY. 

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". 

Sorry, to my non-political followers.  Don't leave me now.  You see, I have many Democratic views as a woman. I simply do. It's merely the rights we need as women.  I am talking about my body and the right to do as I believe and feel.  My business mindset, and life plans for my children are solely Republican.

Whew. Sorry to get deep.  Love me or hate me.  We all have our views.  Mine will not be like yours. I know.  We all know.  Everyone has a different view on many different things and levels.  But our country is a great country that is slowly falling apart.   Worry for your children and their children.  Help make a difference.  Do something today.  Don't sit around waiting for societies service to you.  

Boom.  Cheers, to SUPER cold beers.  Super duper cold beers.  Yes, please. 

Now, go play sillies.

And. Let. Love. Grow. 

L