The same station.

When Bill and I head to the lake alone, the series of events tend to be the same.

Same place to eat on the way up.

Same road.

Same roll up the drive way, with excitement and fuzzy feelings of "being back home"-

This trip was no different.

Just in time to open everything up, and walk room to room observing what we left behind 3 months ago.

It's all the same.

We turn up the tunes, and usually head straight to the back patio in time to lust over the sunset.

I won't bore you with another sunset picture.

Thursday night was a fun one.  We'll leave it at that.  Bill and I tend to enjoy our time alone.  But most important, we DO NOT talk about work. Trust me, our mornings remind us bright and early.  When our eyes meet, we both know what the other is feeling.  Business. But again, we just move along.  No talk of work. It's harder than one may believe.  Trust me.

Friday morning I woke up licking my wounds that "I" suffered from in a Martini-war.  The Martini won.

Our Friday consisted of errands.  The typical ones that include maintenance of a house.

Friday afternoon I decided that our beautiful lounge chairs looked lonely.  So me and my lover Mr. I-Pad headed out.  And while I prayed that my true lover would join me soon, my wishes came true.  Only this time, he was carrying 2 beautiful margarita glasses-

Saturday we decided to launch Little H.  Early.

Off we went into the world of lake land....to find our favorite cove.

On our cove hunting way, I admired the many many fluffy clouds.  I love clouds in the sky on a clear day.
It reminds me of childhood laying on the lawn looking up with amazement.  Slipping away in a day dream.

First cove offered these sweet sugars.  But also wind.  And no beach. 

This one offered the most amazing sights.  But rocks galore, and wind that would whip us around in a second. 

No lake poop during this time of year.  Always a blessing for me. Just look how clear the water is. 

 But it's FREEZING cold too.

Skipper. 

Looking down on this.  Trees down below.  

Love. You.

Soon, we'd find a cove to have lunch.

Wait for it.....

How's that?

Oh, we're good hun, just two inches from the branches.  ALL GOOD!

 Before you know it, the wind picked up.  The clouds became a little darker.  The sun hid from us, so we decided to scoot right on back home.

So our weekend in a nut shell?

Lots of pretty much nothing.  But good food, good wine, and martini's.

Lots of laughing.

And plenty of time back in our home that we've missed for 3 long months.

Listening to the same station on Pandora all weekend long.  

Have you planned a trip yet?  Alone with a friend?  Lover?  Wife?  Hubby?

Do it.  Even a 2 day trip. Time to rekindle what you fell in love with.

May you enjoy the fine things in life.  Because not all days are fine.

Some of my hardest days have felt the loneliest.  I guess it's looking forward to the moments filled with goodness are what keep the hard ones worth fighting for.

Are you fighting a battle?  Well, keep on keeping on, because just like those clouds, they too shall pass.

Cheers!

This Mama Lisa

And while I rub my eyes.

A bit more.

Dang, there's something about getting away to come back with a foggy head.

Maybe it's the fun.

Maybe it's the sleep, or lack thereof.

Whatever it is, this morning was b.r.u.t.a.l.

My new theory about "just taking it easy on Sunday, and leaving like whenever...."-  is, well. Rough.

My coffee this morning?  Had 2 teaspoons of milk.  Evil fart heads that do that to me again?

No lunch for Kali today.  Not out of spite, just more out of ....go with the flow. this is life.

Her parents got away.

I took a few pictures.  But the most important were my birdies.  Compliments of them.  And family.

Thursday started off beautiful.  Work held us down like a tight seat belt on a roller coaster.  I slipped out first, and soon Bill followed.  Our trip on the first sets of freeways is most always a little quiet.  As we sort anything we may have forgotten.   We ALWAYS High Five eachother though.

Down the 15, into Del Taco, our same traditional seat.  Back on the road, where we meet the 40.
A call comes in.  On the speaker in the truck.  "Dad, is Mom there.  Yea, K..I'm here, what's up?"-
"Take me off speaker please"-

Kali:  Mom, while I was inside Party City getting Gio's balloons, some lady came in and asked who's white VW that was in the parking lot.  Someone had hit the bumper pretty hard, and left.

Me:  Are you ok?  Don't worry, honey just do the paperwork with the guy and make sure you get everything from that lady.

That good Samaritan that not only got the license plate, but hung out to make sure all was good, has some sweet Karma coming her way.  I'm only bummed we didn't get her phone number.  I always let Kali take my car when I'm out of town, or whenever.  My thought is, white car, better visual at night while she makes her way home.  BUT in this case.  Ghetto is ghetto, and people hit and run, all day long.   #KARMA.

Today I will spend some moments with the LBPD, finding out where this Blue Toyota Solara resides.
Soon, probably finding out they have no insurance. We all know the drill. But still. If the damage wasn't too visible, I'd leave it.  But it's not.  Which would just brew my insides each time I opened my trunk.
Moving along...everything will work out-
She's safe, and it could've been way worse.  Thank God, they hit my bumper and not my baby.

Because I wanted to call my Dad.  Get him involved.

Thank goodness for good friends, and a laid back demeanor.  She handled it with Grace.

 The first initial idea was to be at the school, while at practice.

Everything worked out though.  School, versus in front of house?  No. Big.  Deal.

Boom.

I taught Brandy her photog' skillz.  Need lessons?  Call us up. 

And because his Mom is rad, and hides in bushes.  It was a complete success.  Their "LAST" Sadies.

Kris said, "Man Mom, she sure waited for the last minute"-

Yea she did.  And while they prepped for the dance, and did their thing.  This Mama wasn't hovering.

Some other cute shots I received...

Long Beach Dirt Bags take down The Bruins.   On Sunday.

Kris and Jenn. At Ma n' Pa's on Saturday.



Twas' a happy weekend for all.  We enjoyed our sneak away.

The kids enjoyed their moments together.

Monday is here.  Work is rocking, and love will continue to show the way.

Happy Birthday Auntie Nettie, you fine gem you.

I hope your time at Disneyland offers the happiest day ever.


I will get to posting sometime tonight or tomorrow.  Right now, I have a desk covered in paper.

And this stuff just does not stop.

Cheers!!!

Ps. Only bummer we missed Kyoko and Markie's combined birthday celebration- Heard it was a hoot!


Lisa

No big vacations this summer.

It's always great to look back at some of our funnest times.

With friends that we will forever hold close.

This year, as many friends have booked their travels and vacations abroad...it makes my  heart full for them.

I remember those feelings.  That excitement.

The bags to pack, and list of things to bring.

This summer is all about planning many different things.

Many different chapters.

Time to crunch dough into the important spots.

Not by a pool in some far away place.

Thank goodness for sweet memories.

Thank goodness for a future to look forward to.

May your Sunday be bright.

Lovely and full of love.

Get out in the sunshine.

Because that extra little bit does a lot for your soul.

"If you live by the sea, you are lucky enough"


Cheers!

L

It's always been our way.

To sneak away.

Alone.

Yet together.

A long drive to dispose of what is meant to be.

Not all gets disposed, trust me.

We still brain storm, and wake up antsy- every. single. day.  

Business is good, but so hard.  Hard in a mind twisting, keep you on your toes kind of way.

The days fly by like pages in a book.  A fast, big font, little quick book. 

Sometimes, we like to step back.  And just be us. 

Yes I miss the kids.

Yes I miss my animals.

Yes, I know my time away is quicker than I'd truly like.

It's just that slice of time to exhale.

Alone.

I've always said it's what keeps people in love.

To find the time alone.

Be silly.

Be real.

And stay in touch.

With eachother.

And guess what?  Every little thing is gonna be alright...

Because you know.....I have a kick ass fun and crazy filled next few months.  That's for damn sure.

Saddle up Mama!

Besides, remember how well we scrubbed Mr. BBQ?  Well, let's put that dude to work.

Or....maybe not.  Maybe we'll sit back and be served.  Ya.  That sounds better.


Happy Saturday lovers.

"Then sings my soul"

Be good to yourselves.  Remember hard work pays. 

Big love,

Lisa

We can't make this stuff up.

I really do not know what our world is coming to.

Not to mention the cover of Vogue.

But this video?

Strap yourself in, but not too tight, because you might need to go throw up.

I actually like two of the Kardash girls, but there's just one that bugs the holy shit out of me.

NO, not you?  Well, watch this.

Dead Serious.


I try to keep my blog sweet, truthful and real.

And this stuff just makes me throw up in my mouth.


Sorry if I turned your tummy on Friday-

Because FRIDAY'S are FUN-Days!


Have a good weekend-  Be safe, eat well, and always have dessert.  Just don't bring Muffins.  Dedicated to Randy- HAHA!

More slices of truth.

How true is this.


Move along in your life the way you know you should.

Don't compare to others.

It's easy to say, and harder to do.

But trust me.

People only show what they WANT to show.



Big love and peaceful wishes to you,

Leese
 

The last of this.

Last week was my LAST Open House of High School. No more class lists' and schedules to go over.
No more cramming from my daughter to get whatever their teachers want to decorate their walls with, meanwhile stressing her out with other time lines and studies to get done.  But the main reason we attended was 1- to have dinner with my sister first.  2.  To watch my niece dance her little heart out.  The last dance, per say.

When all of the sudden, after chattin' it up with friends, kids, etc.  I look into a room filled to the brim with PEOPLE. And PEOPLE with bad breath.  And PEOPLE with stinky underarms.  And a dance teacher that wouldn't open up any other door.  Which resulted in me NOT able to sit inside, well I did on the floor for like ten fast seconds.  Out.  Boom.  So my view was the back of Dads.  Rocker Dad here had the same claustrophobia as me.  So, at least I had someone on my team.

So we did some more photo shoots.  With Mr. ASB Commissioner -

No need to worry yourselves now kids.  I did manage to get this shot of Tori. 

And this one.  

Sign me up for photo class.



Tori, you made me so incredibly proud during these high school years.

Watching you dance in the normal PAC Auditorium always gave me goose bumps.

Tears would make their way down my cheeks as I sat stunned from how fast the chapters turned.

Smiles made my cheeks full because I knew you mastered those routines.

Through practice.

Through hanging in there, even when you felt like you couldn't.

You did.

I will miss these days.

And I know you will too.

Let me know where you decide to dance next, sweet sugar.

Because I've got to bring my camera skillz to the gig.

Love to you Tori.

Happy Hump Day Humpers.

Be kind.  Or be quiet. 

Love,

This Mama Lisa

And just like that. April.

Didn't we talk about the first day of March like minutes ago?
Dang.


Our last weekend was quite the rockin' one.  ha.

Friday night we cuddled around our little fire, bbq'n our favorite little pizza's on the grill.
Sharing this wonderful wine- Letting go of the weeks shizniz and exhaling while we looked at each other with sometimes a smirk, and sometimes a smile.  There is something about sitting on the patio.  In the dark.  Good music and a bbq close by.  Sometimes spoken words are not even necessary. 

Soon enough we'd turn off the fire, close up the barbie, and head in.
Fresh out of the shower, I'd start my evening ritual of bedtime prephood, when all of the sudden....well, we started a rollin'.  And again, if you know this freak, I freak.  Quickly I grabbed my phone, and headed to the patio.  Exclaiming, "Tsunami honey"-  "Come-on"- While I dialed Kali.  Then Kris. Both answered immediately.  Kali says "Mom, that was crazy huh" (She was at Gianni's)-  Kris says "Mom I'm fishing on the base and all the trees are swaying".(Close to us)  After all settled down, I tried to get cozy, but really had a hard time with everyone in all directions.

A simple reminder to plan ahead. For those that live in the Earthquake zone, plan ahead.  Some suffered clogged phone lines, so apparently they used "Facetime" on their smartphones and it worked perfectly.
So, there's my EQ tip of the day.  You're welcome.
Just don't go running in circles like I do.  I forget all about the Drop, Cover and Hold on. HAHAHA!  Hold on to what?!

Saturday morning I take my morning cup o' jo outside to bask in the sunshine.  Before I walk outside with said cup o' jo, I hear something outside the window.  Uh oh.

When you see it.   Hint:  Above the speaker.

I have fought for their nests before.  Last year he blocked em.  Just look at all the twigs and work they were able to do just over night.  Part of me says, move em.  Because of the mess.  Another part of me says...leave em, and let life go on.  We have bigger fish to fry in the pan of life.  Trust me. 

Plus we had to get one of these dudes for breakfast. And slip over to Gaylord and Shirleys to work a little and spread some love where needed.

Plus a bike ride planned with Grampie, Grammie, Bucksie and Kali. 

 The wind was a little brutal.  But the time together was just what we all needed.

Kris was diving, and Gio had a game in Santa Monica.  

Soon we'd head back because Bucksie boy seemed to be "over it"- 

As we stroll past this one last stretch of beach visible to us.  I spot this.  This elderly couple. In their eighties.
Cuddled, yet huddled under their umbrella from the wind.  When you are around elderly, you come to find out they don't care for wind.  Or the cold for that matter.  This just tickled me.  

Who knows their story.  Is it bold? It is filled with parenthood, and now grand kids.  Is it filled with days looking back through their chapters?  Was the beach a spot for some good lover making back in the day. 
What does their chapters hold.   However it is filled, this made my day. 

Once we made it home, we'd slap our buns back into the chairs that adorn the porch.  To watch friends pass us in our dining vessel.  

Well, Hello America Jane.  Hello!

We managed to capture our baby boy from his game....which was a WIN!  And back to bbq'n it was!

He was pumped.   We wrapped Saturday night up just like Friday night.  Asleep a tad bit earlier.  And up a tad bit earlier too.  With this view.  Our friends cruising by for a quick "Hello"-

And just like that.  Sunday closed up.  I've always taken pride in my meal planning.  And Sunday ritual of prep'n for my fam bam.  I am finding more and more that these days are beginning to switch up a little. 

In more ways than I really ever expected.  It all happens faster and faster with each closing month. 

This month is my birthday month.  I decided that as I've aged and find my mind, body and spirit changing that it's the proper time in this big life of mine to celebrate all month.  So if something is questionable? Should I? 

Why yes!  Yes. It's my birthday month.  

Hang on tight kids, hang on real tight.  Because you will be double fours if you haven't passed me. 

At times, it can be the shits.  Like gray hairs.  And wrinkles.  And brown spot.  And....

I can go on and on.  But I will spare you.  

Just get out and live.  Live the life you want.  Don't let others hold you back. 

Live for you. 

Because you are beautiful. 

A speck of sand in this big world.  Why not just live. 

Love and Peace to you-

xoxo