And how is everyone today?

Isn't this true?  Hard concept to absorb?  Think about it a little.

One of my favorite Christmas presents as a kid.  Seriously. This was good stuff.  I know I've told you about living my childhood as a poor sad girl right?  kidding.  No, but seriously, things weren't financially easy for my parents.  Therefore money was tighty tight. The one thing my parents made magical every single year, was Christmas.  They really did.  All the cute wrap.  (here's where kids read no further...) would snip little bites out of the cookies, and carrots. As though you know who was there.  so amazing.  so awesome Dad. #hero.

Remember the "Bad Mom"?  Well, yea she hand made these for these cute little fellers.  Doesn't surprise me one bit.  She's that talented, and good.  She just is. 

And when your kids make the front page....well, ya.  It's true.  I think she should print that "Bad Mom" paper, and lay it directly next to this in his scrap book.  More stuff for his wedding someday.  I. Can't. Wait. 

Stop reading all the unnecessary comments of negativity. Hello politics.  It is what it is.  And yes life will go on.  And some days will be better than others.  They just will.  There will be horrible days. There will be good days.  Things might effect your family or friends the way you'd never want it to. But life goes on.  We run a business. Trust me, I've been through it all.  I have been through it all!  You can either spend your life being angry and bitter, or move along and enjoy what America is.  It is good.  Look around.  And follow your own path. Don't be moved astray by others sometimes uneducated opinions.  I was quite surprised with some of my religious friends' bantering snide remarks. Wow.  WWJD? Can you still buy good wine because you work hard?  Well, I hope so. Or try to get out and work hard? Wine matters. just kidding.  No I'm not.  Well, kind of. haha.    Happy Humpday Humpers.  Speaking of which...Countdown for BG in the hood.  HAHA!  Ewww.  I'm trying to find the perfect chinese recipe to cook for dinner. blahh hahaa.  Kidding.  Totally kidding.  I am plotting a recipe from The Pioneer Woman's Website.  If you don't know who she is, check her site.  She is on the cooking channel.  She makes the most easiest, yummiest of dishes.  Well, look at the Corn and Cheese Chowder.  Talk about bomb dot com.  Oh my.  It's suppose to be cooler this weekend.  This may or may not land on our table Friday night.  And while he suffers from Jet Laaaag  I will suffer from a sore arm from pouring my wine and cooking.  Boom. Chaka laka.  Now look at Pioneer Woman my friends.  Guys and Gals.  Find a recipe and do it.  Later...gators. Love me. Not for my religion, and not for my status.  Just me.  Thanks. P.S. Read the yellow words up above. 

Here's some more....

Let me start with this beauty of a note left in my mug, by the superstar teen,  Kali.  That home girl knows how to start off the week with a good tone. Much better then those other silly comments about me making her late, right?  Right.

 

Captain Thom's Retirement

I love the plaques title "Brother Thom".

God Bless the USA and our firefighters who help keep us safe. Past, present and future. Thank you.

Because he says so.

Me too. 

Her too.

Just after her goal.  That feeling.  It must be indescribable. I can't describe the feeling for her, but for me, I cry.  Every.  Single, darn time.  Tears fill my eyes.  Goals aren't easy to come by these days at this level.  They just aren't.  So when they happen?  Ya, I can hardly cheer.  I actually can't.  I just sit with amazement.  And smiles.  And tears, hiding under my glasses.  Go get em K.  You amaze us.  You do. 

So does this guy.  In Shanghai.  Way over there.  Stay tuned for some great pictures kids.  Please tell me I am a sissy for missing him so much. But this is getting crazy too long. And too far.  Happy Monday worker bees.  Hope you are building your nest and feeding your soul. Always feed your soul. That first.  Others second. Smile. Don't forget.  And kindness does matter.  Guess where I'm headed in the morning? Oh.  A root canal.  No biggie.  I just feel like pooping my pants every time I think of it.   No biggie.  Boom.  kidding.

Shortened version. Just because.

Chapter 17.  Dinner happened.  Our little family.  With her.  Those may or may not be fried bananas topped with ice cream. oh m gee.

 

And then just to make you feel better, as if this will, spiders do exist in my house.  This big guy. Crawling across the kitchen floor.  And this Mama came to Kali's rescue.  So if I was you, I'd raise your glass with a toast.  To me.  Thanks. Well, thanks from Mr. Spider, whom I let go out on the sidewalk. #hopehefindsanewhome.

And this cool feller, Thom.  Big things happened last night, in his honor.  Retirement.  Good stuff there. Good party. You did it Thom.  Thanks for the tears watching your video, while "Don't Blink"..by K Chesney played.  I dare any one of you to play that song, and try to NOT get a lump in your throat.  It. gets. me. E.V.E.R.Y.T.I.M.E.  Goodness all around Thom. You rock. Captain Thom.

 

And these little birdies help ring in the celebration.  Part of those pictures included them as babies, at the fire house, and at home.  Sitting with their hero.  Daddy. 

We celebrated with live music, super food, good wine....and a chauffeur.  Doesn't get better than that.  Well, if my sugar plum was with me.  I think it would.

But we partied. 

And this morning we had soccer.  Kali scored an amazing goal.  We won.  Life is good.  Life will be much better when this garbaaaagggee is done and gone.  Seriously, between commercials that are so conflicted, and posters that are all the trashy hype.  I am officially over it . All Day Every Day, yup I'm over it.  

And I miss him.  I sat down to write and blog tonight with a writers block.  And that sometimes just happens.  I will get back atcha  probably tomorrow. No big promises, but probably. You all know I will.  Stay tuned for some amazing pictures from this dudes trip.  We talk every afternoon while he prepares for his day. His early mornings are my evenings.  Talk about strange. He sounds groggy, and I'm winding down from a long day.   I feel like a teenager checking my phone.  Oh, and the emails.  Tons of pictures.  Tons of gush back and forth.  We're all about that. Just kidding. Totally kidding.   I become so excited I have to pause to let him share....this weekend in a nutshell was quiet. Perfect. Simple and fun.  I enjoyed sharing dinner with K and Gio on Friday night.  That was a highlight.  It is always nice to stare into their little faces and capture all the goodness.  Right then and there.  Saturdays celebration for Thom was everything I expected.  And more. Those people know how to throw a party.  My only gripe? I didn't have my partner in crime to laugh, dance and hug on.  Today's game was the perfect icing on the end of the weekend cake.  K, your goal was spot on kick ass.  Good stuff kiddo.  And that my kids will be my shortened version with only a quarter of the pictures I captured of the weekend.    Be true, be real. Be fair. And don't forget to vote.  Always, Always, Always...be kind to animals.  Go get em peace makers.  Kindness is power.  Remember  this when someone is trying to break you down.  Smile.  Smile big, and remember to pull out the BS umbrella. I sure will. P.S. Go watch the video of "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney.  Man up or grab some kleenex.

A peek into another part of the world.

So....this is the 12th hour into flight.  Red eyes are an understatement if you ask me. 

Hmmm. Not my choice for a good nights sleep either. 

But they made it.  To Hong Kong first, and 2 hours into the deep heart of some town....Some town.  After flying all night, they arrived at 6am.  And hit the road from there. 

His first meeting spot.  Talk about Boom.  Wow. 

and that my friends is Starbucks. In Hong Kong.  You make me proud G.  Supporting my fav place.  Nitro for the day, and fluid to keep those red eyes open.  With a 15 hour time difference, my night time is his day time.  So conversations are sparse and few.  Thanks to texting, we'll survive. 

"Happy Dia de los Muertos".  May you all celebrate the day of the dead and honor those that have left us.  Have a great weekend being good little chickies.  I had a long email conversations with my Aunt yesterday and one thing I keep reflecting on that she shared with me.  "When people give you bullshit, open your bullshit umbrella, and let it all fall off and over the top"....basically let it go.  How clever.  I actually opened my umbrella this morning. Right when I walked into work. I opened that stinker.  And let it fall.....Great new tactic. Give it a try.  And take a big ol' deep breath.   So that's that, peace out chicken heads.  P.S.  Love you Aunt Ronda.   Good advice feller. My name is Lisa and I approve this message.

And just like that.

These two would cram pumpkin carving in.  #thenightbefore.

Between soccer, baseball, training, studies, and a busy teen life.  They carved.  And mistreated her cat.  Note: Hannah does not like to carve.  End of story.#yeswespoilouranimals

But he does. 

And she likes pumpkin seeds that Dad brought home.  Seeds + Carving =  Silly gross smiles. 

His Mama told Kali, Gio never could stand the pumpkin guts.  We all watched him "man-up" and through this part.  Cute. When you are in Chapter 17 you can't ask Mama to clean out the pumpkin. 

She didn't do a great job at gut removal.

Finished project.  Tired. Nine o' clock.  But mission accomplished.  Boom.

To wake up and dress like a dude.  Happy Halloween.

Oh, and when all of your friends, and the entire Varsity Girls Soccer dress up like boys?  Good stuff.  Good stuff right there.  hmm. Dress like tramps or boys?  Boys, much better.  Good job sillies. 

The cutest trick-o-treater that I caught.  Halloween was a little different this year.  My normal tradition of cooking, getting the candy ready, pouring good glasses of wine, weren't the norm. 

Because B was prepping to head here.  On a flight.  seventeen. long. hours.  red-eye

To here.  First rodeo.  First big trip.  First time being this far from each other, not to mention longest time.  I miss him more than words can type.  I managed to tuck some notes in his luggage.  I managed to not cry upon departure.  Funny how moments of nervousness create more jitters than tears.  At least for me.  It wasn't until I got on the freeway last night.  I couldn't remember if we kissed or not.  He called me once through customs.  He said "of course we kissed".  duh Leese.  Duh.  HAHA! I can't wait to see the pictures.  I said "I want pictures B, and you know...I WANT pictures of everything...and everywhere.."  Memory keeper I hope he shall be.  He is traveling with a partner whom does this trip often. Along with a private driver.  So he is in good hands.  He will be just fine.  I will be fine.  I will stay busy...so stay tuned fellers.  And happy Friday.  Happy flippin Friday!  I promised to stay down and in on a Friday night.  Cross your fingers I can make that promise happen. #friendtextingwithinvitescouldchangethat.   I am actually really tired.  I need to stay in.  And be quiet and still.  I do.   Count down until my other little birdies come home from Vegas.  It's so good when your family is all home under one roof.   Candles, how I have missed you.  xo 

Chapter 17...

This little girl.  With those sweet chubby cheeks.  With my sisters eyes.  Those eyes she inherited from a Grandma she will never meet in this life.  My other girl.  Chapter 17.  Today.  I remember the all nighter we pulled on Halloween night, that phone call from my sister as I was tucking Kris away after his trick or treating adventure. The waiting. While my sister labored.  I stood by.  As her Mom. Instructing.  Guiding.  Worrying.  Wondering.  What is this baby?  Boy...Girl? Blonde? Brunette?  I knew after midnight we'd have a November baby.  I knew soon enough I would melt and fall in love to the moon.  Over her.  Tori.  She has my middle name.  She was a 7 pounder.  She was tall.  She had the longest fingers and toes.  I melted.  I cried. I had Kali in my tummy while I cuddled this newborn. Knowing these two girls would brave this Earth together.  I knew.  How lucky they are to have each other.  Seriously.  How lucky. 

Note: Look at her fingers.  HA!

I watch her grow.  I guide her when and where I can.  I love this girl more than she may know.  I do. I love watching her cycle of life.  She's a strong smart little cookie. She has the world in her hands.  She's got the tenacious ways to move mountains.  Today is HER day. Today we will celebrate this beauty.  She still has long fingers and long toes. And a smile to light up a room.  Happy Birthday my little princess.  You have the whole wide world in your hands...you sure do "punkin".  As your Daddy calls you.  Hello Chapter 17.