Looking back.

I know I stepped back from posting about Maui.  That wonderful trip.  At that wonderful place. With my wonderful partner.  I shared moments in my life that I will never ever forget.  There are parts of Maui that I miss greatly.  Little things.  Not big fancy things.  Things.  Bill and I made some awesome memories together there.
I'm a weirdo when it comes to little places to eat.  The smells.  The people.  The interesting.  Places with good food, and kind people. Those things.  I had a hard time digesting servers at fine restaurants like "Spago's".  It was almost like a robot speaking to us, trying to sell us the Peeenooooo Greeeegggiooooo to pair it withhhhhhhh......blah blah blah....-  And a few times, I almost had the giggles over come me.  That happens with this silly head. More times than I want to admit.  It has happened in the worst situations. It's terrible, and I hate to admit it.  It happens.   OHH those giggles.  I want to laugh just typing this. 

I loved the resort we stayed at.  And if I ever get the chance to visit Maui again....well. I will have to be there.  Four Seasons.  Wow.

So, looking back at the finest, and favorite moment of my trip.  Was here.
Something that brought me to tears.  Silent tears streaming down my cheeks.  In a machine filled with strangers.  But good music playing in my ears.

Enjoy.

That small harbor down there....is where we snorkeled out of.  Another awesome day.

Pineapple fields that have been abandoned. 

Seriously.  Look at this. 

In the distance, you can see the way the fishermen built levee's to block the tides and catch numerous fish all at once...with the grace of "The Tidal flow"  Awesome.

Lahaina

Can you spot the elephant?  Pure.  Simple.  Beauty.

Small, but there...a Mama Whale and her baby...

And before you know it, we landed....safely-

One more time....

Headed back to Wailea.....with aww written all over our faces.

And this feeling we had, was everything and more.  Maui, you were good to us.  Aloha spirit is a good thing.  Helicopter rides are a good thing.  

 Happy Saturday kids.

Have you booked a trip? Somewhere small? Way ahead?  Do it. 

You deserve it.

Enjoy the day.  And water your garden and watch it grow. 


L

This life.

And celebrating the life of these couple of sweet beautiful friends of mine...

Happy Birthday Maria. Happy Birthday Roxanne....You are beautiful.  In every way.

Only person missing in this pic is my buddy Carmen.  She was there.  And my camera battery died.  #blurry 

It was a night surrounded by good friends.  Good food.  And amazing sunsets.  Those lightly planned nights that turn out so perfect. Long Beach Yacht Club Wine Wednesday you are so good to us.  Cheeseburgers and paradise, that's for sure.  

She's my rock at times, and she doesn't even know it. 

This dude landed in Urgent Care this week.  Way under the weather.  Won't eat.  Won't walk far.  Looks like a tummy ache. After receiving 2 shots, and meds for home.  He will get better.

Kris said "Man Mom, when it rains it pours".....

And I said, yes, it seems like that, it does.

But these bad days are far and few.  The good days will always outshine the harder ones.


And to always remember someone else has it ten times worse, somewhere in this world. 

Let's look for better days. More sunshine and happy times.

Bucksie will get better.  With Grammie at his paws....and organic chicken broth  He will get better. 

Happy Friday Fart heads.


Live for today, and eat well.

Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. 

So for now, be good, or be bad.  Just have fun while you're doing it.

Capture this life in digital.  Snap snap away....and remember to say "sorry" if you think you should.
Squash the squabbles.  It's worth it-

boom.

xoxo 

The root of my tree.

You taught me about kindness.
You taught me about music.
You taught me to stand up for myself when the moment was meant to be.
You taught me the love for all animals, big and small.
You taught me how living simple is better.  Less can be more, because someone in this world always has less. And are happier.
You taught me about nature.  And loving this Earth.
To treat it well, and to be still while passing through the few nature moments we do get.
You taught me about patience, because I remember many times you lost yours in front of us.
You taught me to let things go, because holding on to resentment and anger hurts me more.

You taught me that bearing the toughest moments do create tough human beings.
Human beings that can filter what is right and what is wrong, while finding peace along the way.
It is possible.  Keeping excuses out of the way.

You taught me that whether you are near or far, you are there.  Always.
You are there for my kiddo's.  Especially my son.  Whom talks to you almost every single day.
I love that.

Boy did you give me wings.

Happy Birthday to you Dad.

There are so many times that I wish I could sweep you away and take you abroad.  Take you fishing in the big ol' Cabo waters.  (and not get sea sick)...Or send you and Mom off to Alaska on a cruise. 

I know you are happy at home with Mom.

You belong to me. And we belong to you.

And that is a very good feeling.  I am lucky.

I don't remember calling you Daddy.  It was always Dad.
I do remember kissing you goodnight. Every night.
Even the tough nights, when the music was full blast, and the nights were long. You kissed us goodnight.
I remember begging you to chase us through the house like a big monster.  And you would.
We were asked to "stand on your back"....because it hurt.
You worked hard.  Very very hard.  Hot summers, and cold winters.  You busted your ass for us.
And drank a little too much too.  But we forgive those days.  You bury sadness deep in your heart for that.
Daily.  I know that.  And for that I am sorry.  For you. 
Every time I look at this picture the guilt over rides me.  A visit must be planned again.  Picking up my sister and I from the airport for a lunch and tour around town.   That was simply, pure awesomeness.
You never hit us. I was spanked only a few times.  Probably deserved it.
You bought me flowers on my 12th birthday, and brought them home in your dump-truck.  A day I will never forget.
You caught me riding on the back of a motorcycle.  No helmet.  15. Restriction didn't do the justice you put on me with words.  I disappointed you.  I am sorry.
I messed around in High School, and had the best days, not the best grades.  I am sorry.

 

I am you.  I am my Mom.  But I am you.  To the core.

I love you.  Happy Birthday Dad-

May the days be peaceful.
And your garden grow tall.
That your days with Mom are sweet and long.
I will see you soon. I can promise you that, you fine feller.

Get your Weber ready.

T and I are coming for you two.

Love,

Baby numba two.
The one with your middle name. 
The one with freckles that you complimented often.
The one with your long toes, that love sand just as much as you.
The one with so much love in their soul.
Sent from your body to mine.

Thank you Dad.

Is it a tradition?

To let the Senior Girls Win? 

Senior Girls, versus Junior Girls.  Tuesday afternoon.  The field lined with students, and parents.
Kali's Mama and Dad included.  Flag football that looked way too close to tackle. 

End of the year, after practicing for a few weeks.....
this is what took place.

This happens.

Huddles happen.

A team happens

This happens some more.

Your girl makes a couple good runs. 

boom

Her dude and bestie come out to support.

Close game with minutes left...

AND THE JUNIORS WIN!

It hasn't happened in quite a few years....

But did they have this kind of team spirit?

I don't think so.

Class of 2014....YOU LADIES ROCK!

Especially you three crazy playa's.  Except Maddie didn't want to play because she didn't want to get hurt. hahaa.  MADDIE!

Yes, you are Powder Puff Champions.  Winning is winning.  And losing is losing.  It's all part of the game.  Right?

   When you step out on a field to win.  You strive to win. 

These are the years.....that way too soon, she will miss.  We all will.


Happy Winning Wednesday!

Keep on keeping on....

And don't forget to practice random acts of kindness.

It DOES come back around.


Live sweet,

Lisa

Why I write it out.

Have you ever wondered why this world can be so tough?  Why in the world do people say and act the way they do? How this beautiful Earth offers such treacherous torture to so many.  Why can one minute seem so perfect, and full of wonderful bliss, and yet within a few moments be turned upside down and become just one. huge. mess.
How humans can abuse another human.  How humans can torture and abuse animals.  I will never get it. However I do believe there is a purpose.  As with anything.  A purpose.

Over the weekend I posted about my pain.  Our pain.  His pain. Their pain.
All regarding a relationship.  Our family. Soon, I began to digest my post, just a little bit more.  
It made me ponder.  Should I not share something so deep for all of us?  Although it's my slice of this world. It made we wonder a little.

Not that I regret any of the meaning. Just more about keeping things true. And real. 
People might want to read about our perfect weekend at the lake.  Or the perfect sunsets we catch at the beach...or our silly nights on the dock.  Surrounded by friends. The awesome trips we've been on, because life has been good to us this last year or two. 
People might also want to read about my silly ways, and how this world of mine just seems "so fun".
Right now, trust me, it is.  And I am thankful.  Am I afraid, and ready for the rug to be pulled out from underneath? Very. 

Do people want to know about my struggles? The struggles of being a parent? The struggles of my daily life? The petty day to day drama that instills in us all?  It does exist.  This life isn't perfect.  And. never. ever. will. be.
It sure is easier to admit our success versus our failures, right?
It sure is easier to paint these perfect little pictures of the lives we want people to see.

It's easier to express fun times, and good times with friends and family.
I know that I show you my life in fun ways.  Hard ways, and I am very sure you can all read into my sad times.  And for guys and girls out there that have "those days"....we get it. Believe me, I get it.
We struggle when our children struggle.  We struggle when a family member isn't making good choices. Or things are happening within our homes that aren't just quite right.  We see it.  We tend to bury it.
I try to be inspirational more than negative to most everyone I am around these days.  If I can make one change to help someone dig deep and find what they are looking for, I will certainly try.  I start with my kids.  My family.  I start in random places, that only I know can make a small difference. I start while being served in places, teaching my kids gratitude, and manners along the way.  I will always offer a smile to a stranger.  I will always help the elderly, and show kindness in random places. It's just what I am made of.

I struggle just like all of you.  With the meaning of caring.  Safety.  Kindness. Respect.
I struggle.
There are mornings that I have opened my eyes, and thought...man, I've got to do this again.  Over and over and over again.
Sometimes, alone.  I do it.  I did it people.  Looking back on some days with complete aw.  I did it. Alone or attached. I did it.  Just like you. 
Does this teach my children the strength they will need for the rest of their lives?  You bet your ass it does.
Does showing kindness and love I give set a prime example? Yes it does.  

My dream as a child was to become a teacher.  But choices I made at the tender age of 18 sure blended that up into a different path.  Just within the last few years, I've viewed some things a little differently.  I've told myself that appreciating the simple.  The meaningful. And the purposeful side of things will show a path of more pureness.
That trying to live with more understanding.  Instead of searching.  Trying to live with forgiveness, instead of hatred.  Trying to live with kindness as the frontrunner instead of pointing fingers.  Has helped.  It's not the easiest path.  Anyone of you can ask Bill how some moments of mine can be filled with anger. With sadness.  Frustrations, and past childhood and young adult residual personalities...I fight it. Always have.  If someone asks me a preference of where I most fit in, or where I am most at peace, I will always say at home with family.

Struggles are there.  For all of us.  Happy times are there, and we fight hard for them.  We all work, yearn and search for that thing called "happiness".  

When I post about good wine, and good food, I mean it.  I don't drink during the weeks in case any of you lose sleep over that...I actually choose to save those calories for the weekends (learned something new about me..ha) But I do enjoy good food.  I tend to buy all organic.  Good wines, and I feed my animals the very same way....I keep myself focused on my family, home, and food prep during my weeks so that my weekends can be fun. 

I'd like to thank everyone of you, my friends, some I know that read my blog, maybe a friend, or family member.  Thank you.  For understanding me.  For getting me.  For loving the way I love, and showing me when you can the same. This life is hard.  This life is real.

Struggles will be there.  Keeping friends and those loving family members close is the key.
Sharing when you feel like collapsing is your vice.  Crying and listening to music to slam that door of hatred is the needed space.  For you. Letting those perfect people with those perfect lives live on in their perfect fairytale ways.  Just smile with them.  For them. 

Tinybuddha's quote this morning....

"Prefer a loss to a dishonest gain; the one brings pain at the moment, the other for all time." -Chilon


Happy Taco Tuesday you little Tea-pots.

Guess what today is?

It's POWDER PUFF TIME!  GO JUNIORS! GO MISS. KALI

Time to turn that frown over friends.  Time to let go of the worries that are built up today.  They will be there tomorrow.  But what if, just by chance our kids aren't.  Or we aren't?  We spent moments, minutes, hours and days trying to change something so petty in this big big world.  Fight for your happiness. I think you can.

Start with spreading kindness today..

Kindness conquers hate.

And fake people will be there.  Forever. 


and....ever.

boom. 

Cheers big ears.

Mama Lisa

No plans are the best plans.

Oh, hello June!

After having an entire full month of May, I wanted nothing more than a quiet, do nothing, kind of weekend.  From Friday afternoon, til Sunday.  I wanted no plans.  And it was exactly that. Poor Bill must of heard me say this 10 times.  No plans baby...no plans. Because every. single. weekend. in.  June.  is filled with Schtuffff., don't worry.
Kali had her 2nd round of SAT'S....and soon jetted off with 15 friends, 3 cars filled with summer anxious, can't wait for this school year to end....kids, down to Steps in Laguna.  And what a time they had.

Bill and I dined at our favorite little spot...Friday night.

In early, and back out early too.

Our morning consisted of Home Depot, Ross, and Big Lots.  Soon, the truck was filled with plants, little new veggies...(hello Basil, bell peppers..) and of course new flowers and succulents.  The jaunt through Ross always brings me joy.  As in new little gadgets.  Frames, bowls, and things we just need.  $3.99 frames? Yes, thank you.   Once we got home, I got my gardening on.  It was the day of peace that I had been searching for.
Saturday evening was a "BBQ a pizza kind of night"-

And there is this little girl.  Rough start in life.  We do call her "Marley".  And she is up for adoption.

Anyone?

please?

Ok, moving on....Sunday we spent an afternoon lunch celebrating another little birthday lunch for Gaylord at Schooner or Later.  He indulged in his favorite "Crab Omelet".  Pure bliss on his sweet face.
While Kali took on extra credit and visited museums in LB, and Kris had a day filled with brunches, and hockey gatherings...we kept it simple. 

This mornings awakenings were to this.....
A text from an old friend.   It said "I visited Jess' school this morning, and this is on the wall"-
TALK ABOUT MELT ME!.   6:15am, and smiles lit up my room.
Ready to peek at cute-ness?

I mean, seriously kids, can you just smile with me ear to ear?
And to share these with a few of you out there that really need it, especially today.   This world is hard.
These days can seem long and painful.  But to read something to remind yourself, that it is good.  And that smiling on the outside, will indeed make our insides just a little more peaceful.(Sweet Jessica, from the day I watched you toddle on the sidewalk in your cute little dresses, until now I see your pic's on IG, you are a sweet little slice of heaven. Keep on keeping on.  Your Faith, and kindness WILL move mountains...)

Especially on a Monday morning while pulling into my daily habit....and see this.
This.

This.

As I pulled in, and back out....I took a deep breath and reminded myself...."Lisa, there are so many things in the world to get frazzled over".  And this ISN'T one.
But....why didn't they put a sign up Friday?  Last week?  Those sweet girls that see this kind face everyday?  Why?  Maybe a little....hey...we're closing up for a bit....-  HA!

Thank God Shark week is over.  Because that shiz coulda got crazy real quick.

kidding. 

Happy Gloomy Southern California Monday.  Don't you wish it was last Monday and WE ALL COULD STAY IN...and build that blanket tent in the living room. With all the couch cushions involved too?


Remember-

Kindness conquers hate.

And latte's will be there....somewhere on the next corner, they will.

Plans for tonight?  Cuddlebugs?  Gymrats?  Chef in the kitchen?
Whatever you do, remember you are important.

Settle in and read this site.  You might find some helpful. If not, insightful.

http://tinybuddha.com/

 boom.   "The best way to enjoy your own life is to stop comparing it to others." ~Unknown

Bent. Not Broken.

Once upon a time there was a boy.  That fell deeply in love with a beautiful girl.
They loved each other deeply for quite a while.
The moments were fun.
They were real.
They loved hard, and played harder.
They experienced things together that only they know were true.

When you are young, you believe in certain things.  One more than the other.
Soon little obstacles get placed in front.
Things change.
And soon, people change.  Not necessarily a bad thing.  A hard thing.  Hard truth.
Wicked hard truth.

Things soon came to a screeching halt.  The paths weren't lined up.

The tide has changed.  Just like on Earth.  It flows in and out.  Moving bits of us like this Earth.  Strength flows out, and pain rolls in....
We do hurt.  We miss her.  Our entire house misses her.
But the tides have changed.

As much as it hurts him.  It hurts me a thousand times more.

Because I miss her.
Everyday when I wake, I feel like it's a bad dream.
Like it will all change.  And the old normal will come back.
That we will see her. Soon she'll call.
And as not-ok-with-that as I am, I am also OK (enough) with it.
I'm not angry. Just really dealing with residual grief.  More wonder than anger.
Did he hurt her soul? Did immaturity play a shitty role in this? Yes.  It did.  I'm very sure of that.
I know that he fought hard to keep the love real.  And alive.
We all did.
I think he suffers from pangs of truth.  What could have been done.
Maybe not.
Maybe it's just this fast life, learning, searching and finding things out along the way.
The sooner the better.
He looks numb. In fact, I'm sure he is numb. 
He hurts like I've never seen my Son hurt before.
I shed tears while driving. Privately.  Only to face him with smiles, and constant words of encouragement.
Reminding him just how loved he is.  She loves him.  I know that.  This isn't easy for anyone.  But it has happened. 

It is time for him to heal and move forward and embrace this beautiful life that he has always been chasing. The pursuit of happiness hit a bump in the road. There are a thousand things I want to do and a million  dreams I wish for him. But right now I have to do what each of us need to do every day. Just start where we are and remind him what this life offers.  New chapters.  What will be, will be.

In the dark moments, there will soon be light.

We will miss hanging with her.  Our laughter, and cuddle bug Sundays.
We will miss our silly back yard bbq'n nights....together.
The many, many moments and memories we built.

She is loved.
Always will be.
There is no resentment.
We are at peace.
He will build and be stronger than ever.
It's what makes this life, a life worth living.

This song hits home.
http://youtu.be/OpQFFLBMEPI


Yes, he is bent.  And hurt.  But he is not broken.

Chasing dreams have never been bigger.

To all my friends with little ones...if the day comes when you can't kiss their boo-boo's and put bandaids on their cuts.  It's very deep. And real.  And hard. It's an indescribable pain.  Watching your child at any age go through pain is tough.
Lessons for him.  Lessons for me.  Lessons in this life.


Enjoy your Saturday Sweet Sugar plums.

Soak up the sunshine and give love where it's needed.

Be kind to all mankind (except for creeps) and animals too.

Live well, sleep well, and appreciate the uncomplicated easy things in life. 


Mama Lisa