When somedays feel more mushy.

Let's just start this off with "h.o.r.m.o.n.e.s."  That might....just might shoo off some dudes.  Maybe not.  Maybe, just maybe we will have some sensative fellers out there that will, in fact read, and understand just a little of how we are wired.  And if you feel that this is just plain nuts.  Well, it's your chance to close this blog now.  Go ahead, I'll wait.   

Ok.  You still with me?  

For the last many, many, many years I've donated my time.  I've volunteered for positions at school, soccer and anything that I can help with where my children attend(ed).  It's in my blood. 
The last year of soccer was brutal. Not in a bad way.  Don't get me wrong.  We had a kick ass soccer season.  But maybe age is getting the best of me.  I am ready to settle down and just watch.  I am ready to cheer on a girl that just might be tired of watching her Mama program, organize, wrap, arrange, set up...and all that goes along with helping in the phase of her/our world.  

So I decided....

It's time for me to step back.  Or down for that matter.  It's time for Kali to have her Mama involved in all things "us".  For her to arrive to gatherings planned by others....

While she is young.  We have eachother.  These days of High School will soon end.  I want to spend her Senior year wrapped around keeping her safe, and having fun in between. 
I want to show up to gathering to snap pictures of her happy moments.

That the early mornings be special because she is able.  That I can stand behind her reminding her that "These are the days". 

Because sometimes I wonder if being too involved can become a little too much for them.
Maybe I am wrong.  Maybe I am right.  One will never know.  I certainly never will.  But I do know Kali has watched her Mom be so involved.  That it makes me wonder.

And so whatever she decides in this life, I can be there.  But with a different view.  A different angle...I will miss the board members I served with.  Some I will see around.  Others maybe someday in passing.  I will miss some of them.  They made me laugh, smile and look at things so different, so many times. And I thank them for that. 

Today I wrote out my email.  To the person I had to let know.  I am hanging up my "hostess...helping...Rep'n....loving to help all" towel. 
For some reason, HORMONES....it was hard.  His response was even more melty.  Wait, is that a word?  Cool, just made a new word in this melty mess.  I will forever be thankful for his response along with all the other sweet parents that send nice emails. 

Sorry if I seem melty today. I am.  Yes, it's probably hormones.  Because one minute I am so up and at it.
The other minute I want to cry and eat a whole chocolate cake.  And for you dudes that are still reading this and shaking your head. Shame on you. ha.  Seriously, you are lucky ducks that this stuff doesn't kick your ass.

Because it sucks.  It sucks to be blue.

There are other days where I'm all...man, why did I blog that?  And then I think...you know what? This is my slice of the journal.  And it's real.  And you would be a freak if you didn't go through these days right along with me.  It's called life.  And it will never be perfect and sad free.

But then again, when you have a dude that will search for your Pantech like this? 
Why would you be sad?  These days make up for the other blue and rainy melty ones.

And so next year we prep for college.  Not where the next pasta party will be.  I will research the best places to apply for her needs.  I just won't be able to coordinate uniform bags next year.  I will research where she should study best, I just won't be able to remind families where the next game will be.   I will help encourage this girl during Chapter 17 and 18 that life is about working her ass off to get where she needs to...even though she has absolutely no clue what career path she wants. uh oh.   
Thank for reading along with me kids.  It's real.  I am sad. I love soccer.  I love helping.  I love my kids more.  And these next 24 months will be about guidance.  For her. 

And her friends.  You know all the cute other little things we do for them. 
NOW that stuff I WONT stop doing.  boom.

We can do this.  Together we can accomplish big things. 

Have a wonderful day little hormone riddled people.  I'm off to eat more cake.  And dream of margarita's on the dock.  Challenging Bill to some high jumps. 

Who's ready for summa?

This girl.  

Should have stayed home.

When you live with a dog there is a process upon leaving for the day.  There just is.  Or maybe you leave your dog outside like a cruel feller.  But we don't.  I may or may not leave classical music on for my pets...Annnnywayyy each day, "Bucks" starts the process of wonder...more like worry.  Or dwelling.  Or whatever it is that drives us nuts. 
The minute we open our closets, drawers, grab keys....he paces.
Each day we leave.  And we tell him, "we'll be back".  And we do.  Some days are harder to leave than others.  It's just the way it is.  Meanwhile the cats look at us all, "um turn the lights off, and get going people"....

Bucksie usually comes to the shop one day a week.

Today was THE day. 

His favorite words "Let's go bye-bye"- He will smile, and walk like a perfect gentleman right to the car.  Right to his door.  And right into his bed.  So obedient. So happy.

And this is how the day goes. On my desk.

And that's all I've got for today.

Don't forget to Spay and Neuter your pet.

And never, ever buy from a breeder.

Save a pet and rescue one.

Happy Time to File Bucks Thursday.  Be kind to one another.

xoxo Always more beso's.  Especially for my babies.

Let's earn some new digs.

Kali worked for this. 

Dad in turn gave his approval for a new pair of custom made Nike's. 
It's those things make her world.  New shoes.  Just the way she wants them. 
I am proud of her. We are proud of her.
Hard work.  Staying healthy.  Sports and school life. 

Happy Holla Back Wednesday!

Be Happy.  Don't Be Sad.  Ain't No Body Got Time Fo Dat. Especially you. 

Peace out players.

Mama Bear.

A simple jog.

When I arrived home from work yesterday, I see The Girl.  In her same spot.  At the table.  Doing homework.  I had errands to run, and things to do.  She continued to sit there working.  When I returned I simply ask.  "Beep, will you go on a run with me"?  Her response "Mom I have practice".  I say, oh, yea I know.  But will you just ride the bike next to me? She says, yes.  Good deal.
And so we were off.   She was all mine.  All ears.  No phone.  No homework. No practice. Just ears.  And we talked. We laughed.  We went over our schedules, our weekends to come.  Life for her in Chapter 16.  A short 45 minutes, but so worth what we share.

This might mean very little to you.  But to me, it means a whole heckaof a lot.  Because these are the days....

Happy Toot my horn Tuesday.

The End.

Happy Mom.

When the sun shines....

You end your week working The Sadie's Dance.  And catch these cuties....

Gianni had quite the full day.  With an early rise, school all day, then a game, (side note: He hit a line drive and took a kid down, so much so, an ambulance came...hit to the chest is beyond scary..hope that little guy is ok...stressful for all ugh. ) He is also in the paper. #proudofyoubabyboy.  Gio has commitments on ASB, and so after his game he headed back to the school to set up for the dance.  When I got there and caught up with him, his eyes hollared..."I'm tired..."

So Kali got ready with her girls....the dance theme this year..."Around The World"...and so the Army received their salute.  Along with short shorts, and torn shirts. hmmm.

And here you have some Hawaiian fellers.  Sav and Chris.  Cuties.

And I'm thinking along the lines of India and Italy?

Saturday we wake to beautiful sunshine and warm temps along the coast......and so....

We decide to Keep Calm And Party On.

And live life hard. ha. 

The picture doesn't show to well, but families were out.  On the beach.  Enjoying life.  The moment.  The sunshine.  Families.

We soon landed in the middle of a school of these fellers.

Love birds.

Steve Wonder on the end.

I send my cousin Mindi this picture.  With the words "LB misses you guys".   She sends me....

This. My Dad.  With my little cousin Crue.  My Dad went up to visit them.  My response "You luckies!".  Looking at this through my little phone yesterday didn't do as much as this morning on my ipad.  Swoon.  I miss you Dad.  Congrats Crue on your win.  Uncle Mike loves kids, and will always wrap his loving ways around you guys.  Thanks for loving him back. 

And I received this.  Summer selling...what else....but GSC! Yum.  I placed my order with her, she shipped them right down to me.  Not that the whole display behind her wasn't built by her Daddy though or anything.  #bestdadoftheyearChris.  #creativeparentsrock. Summer you are beautiful little one.  Don't grow too fast.  

And while these pictures were swapped back and forth....the other little birdies were...

On their way to Thousand Steps.  Four girls.  Nice picnic's packed by their parents.  Yes, us Mom's rock. So does the beautiful fresh fruit that is coming into season. 

Didn't know what to think of this.  hmm. being silly, but.. I'm aboutsta snatch that thumb right off her hand- ha

Seagull you fly.  Great Bad Company song.

As we pull into the harbor, I reach down to put my hand on Bill's leg and hit a box in his pocket..wait what? ha. jk.  no seriously...I look at him, he smiles.  Then laughs.  Then he says "welllll there goes that surprise for later...ha". 

In that box, was a super cute bracelet.  White rock beads, and one glitsy one. 

He's always been the cute surpriser and romantic.  But lately...wow, he's had some good ones lately. 

The parking "sitch" at Yard House sucked.  And while we went in to grab a seat....which was over an hour wait.  We might have had to have one Lemon Drop and a brew.  While Randy floating around waiting for a spot.  Long story shortened.....we didn't eat at YH.  And Randy rocks for floating while we sipped.  #yourock

So we headed on over to the next harbor.  We'll catch the sunset in different water.  No prob.

Hakuna Matata.  Happy Birthday Carmen...."It's my birthday and I can do what I want to..."

The best skipper.

Long Beach.  Temps perfect.  Sailors out. 

And then you see this crappola.  Graffiti.  Disgusting, disgrace.  To locals, old and new.   This breaks our hearts. 

Moving on....to McKenna's on the Bay.  Where a cocktail and app will run ya to the tune of 500.00.  kidding, but that place is a joke.  What are they serving that Tuna Tartare on? Gold?  no thanks.  I did see lots of big lipped skin pulled tight, flawless skinned women.  Now..THAT'S entertaining.

Ok, last stop.  A cute wine bar.  Tucked away in the marina. 

And we will go back.  Just for their little treats they serve with wine.  It's the little things.  And this girl likes little things.  Well, not all little, but you know what I mean. ha.   omg.  hahahah!

It was a fab weekend.  My Friday ended with great memories checking in lots of HS kids, some old, some new.  Beautiful kids. Kind and respectful.  Those Griffins always make me proud.  I worked the check in table with my friend Rox and Maria.  We capture the moments before they will all soon end.....Saturday was everything we planned it to be.  Today I've cleaned like a cleaning fool. I've prepared a big meal (Stuffed Shells with Manicotti and fresh basil, a salad and bread for later....) for my family and the week.  I prepared my birthday cards for the week of sending.  I've had a nice chat with Kali.  I've watered my flowers, organized my world for another week.  Gonna take it on.  I will wake early as I do, and cherish every single bit left of Sunday.  I hope you do too. I hope Monday brings you all a great chance to do what you have to, or what you want to.  Make the best of it. Because even if we want to cover our heads up with the blanket at 6am, we can't.  Let's do this. Little soldiers, and worker bees let's do this.  Smile big when you think you can't.  So many have had these chances taken away, way too young. 

Now...I must go fold another load of laundry. yuck.

Oh, but wait, I have two beautifully working hands, and for that, I am lucky.


So long for now....tune in next time for more rambling from this rambler.

boom.

Bill, if you read this.  I love you.  I could not be more lucky.  Because of you.  And your boxes in your pockets. 

Something to consider.

I've told you about one of my favorite websites-
At times each little message really hits home for me.  Especially considering many circumstances in this life.
When I read letters from Dad's to Daughters, or Daughters to Dad's, they melt me.  Like instant tears, melt me.
It isn't something that holds true to just Dad's.  This can, and should be done by both.  Read along.  Take this tip and advice for something to consider.   Because how awesome would it be to receive a letter from your parent. At any age.  Especially once you get through the rough teenage years.  I recently heard the best form of communicating with a spouse, partner, child or lover is to express ALL of the good things and qualities they offer FIRST before tapping into the negative.  The good will move those mountains first. 



http://lifetoheryears.com/post/37183907332/from-dad-to-daughter


Happy Saturday lovers. 

Get outside. 

Or stay inside and write your son or daughter a letter.  Everything positive.  All good things.  Trust me.  Their souls big or small will soak it up like nothing else in the world matters.

boom.

There is always something to be grateful and happy for. 

This day called Friday.

This week has been good.  Aside from dealing with that girl creature and her "moments"...this week was good. I managed to get in some good workouts, watered my flowers peacefully and ate very good.  Last night was no exception topped off with a nice little chat with that teenage girl. A few pages in my book read to her.  Life as I see it.  Life the way things are, and will continue to be.  We soon celebrated yet another year with one of "The Six Pack".   A new restaurant.  And new wine.

It was a glorious night.  Lots of laughter. Good food, and more laughter.  We dined at Passaparola in Long Beach. We gave the restaurant 7 Stars out of 10.  Service was their challenge.  But the decor was super cute.  It's on PCH before Loynes for any of you fellow diners looking to eat at a 7 star. ha. 

We still managed to enjoy our good wine.  Funny conversations, and razzles to the Birthday Girl. Always lots of razzles. 

Tonight is the Sadie Hawkins Dance.  And you know between Kali and Gianni's families we like to add to the cuteness and fun with these high school days.  Last weekend we made a huge sign.  The plan : Dad and I were to hang the sign on Kali's favorite little bridge in the harbor.  She would take Gio in the little boat over...and boom.  Sunday morning we wake to 2 red flags, and a harbor that looked like an ocean stirred by Mother Earth.  It was brutal.  So....plan B.   We'd wait a few days, and do a bbq along with this plan on Thursday.  Well....Baseball jumped in front.  So plan C.  And with his Mama and Sister at home, they'd make sure this plan at home was extra special.....and so it was....

She posted this sign for his arrival last night.  And at arrival his mom had other cute ideas like they wrote on his bathroom mirror....He was surprised.  Tonight should be a blast.  Another silly dance.  I work check in tonight at the dance.  I try to keep low on the radar.  In and out.  But I am there.  And I can't tell you how cute these kids all look upon arrival.  I love these days.

Happy Friday Fellers.

How about this sunshine?  Ready to get out and go play?  I am.
I feel a fun boat ride and lunch tomorrow.  Yes, I do.

Vrrroooom.


xoxo