Party Mode.

This week has added the element of party planning.  And when I party plan....I am uber...wait what?  Is that a word?  Ok...super duper over organized in my thought process.  It drives me nuts. It drives Bill nuts.  It's hard to explain unless you are a type A freak. ....I will show you my biggest bargain of the process.  This tote you see was purchased today from Big Lots.  I AM NOT a Big Lot's or 99 Cent Store shopper.  For some reason, they gross me out.   Eh em.  Remember, I was raised simple.  Sand and Dirt...lol.  I am a good soul.  I do shop for a bargain.  Wherever, whenever.  But those couple of stores kind of just gross me out.  BUT...today while at work I was in need of gift wrap tissue.  You know the cute colored kind.  This tote I found for 8 bucks!  It's the perfect tote for hauling things to and from the boat...Farmers Market...etc.  Would you look at that?  It's the exact size of those in the market..you know the ones you grab when you need "just a couple' of things at the store, but fill it to the brim before you leave because everything you see while you run in "real quick" suddenly ends up in it? And your arm has a gap in it when done?    Now go get yourselves one. Now.  Trust me players-

Last night while watering my lawn, Kali came out to ask about her Birthday  Dinner.  Ok. This is where things get gnarly.  Gnarly with a teen means, I tell her to walk back in the house.  Remember this girl hangs with kids that are allowed "Sweet 16's"  At The Hyatt Waterfront Resort....Elaborate parties at Acapulco, because that's what every teen should get! .....This list can go on and on.....She made sure I knew we would be celebrating her birthday dinner...when we get back from Havasu this weekend celebrating ALL weekend.  I proceeded to ask how many girls she planned on coming "to this so called dinner", because I can feel in the tone, the expectations were growing.  She said "just 6".  I laughed.   She said "My Birthday isn't all about you Mom".  HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA.   So, I recommended she walk into the house away from me, or else she would be sprinkled with LOVE water....and she laughed, I actually laughed...finished my peaceful water sesh.  Came into my little pad and lit my new candle.  I LOVE this new scent from Bath and Body.  They have a new Summer Collection that is out of this world.  Another tip for you to try. 

This morning while waking up at the hour of 5am. to my fat cat Abbie begging for food, and dodging my feet all the way to the kitchen.  I wanted to trip her....I check my phone for any messages I may have missed.  I received a message about Grandma Allie.  If you all remember she babysat Kali and Tori for us while they were babies...she is currently running a fever of 102.   In the beautiful age of 90's.  This isn't good. She is celebrating a birthday next week too.  It really makes you put things in perspective of what is important.  It just does.  Kali IS having quite the celebration at the lake.  Can't get into details just in case.   I will pray for Grandma Allie.  Her sweet kind heart has given so much.  So much to my soon to be 16 year old that knows everything, yet crawled all over Grandma Allie to hear her favorite book and be cuddled.  This sign hangs in my little living room.  I don't attend a church.  I don't read too far into organized religion.  But trust me.  I pray often.  I believe in God.  He has treated ME very well.   I will be out of blogger land for the next 5 or so days.  Capturing it all.  Stay safe everyone. Play fair. Play hard.  Most of all, remember to catch all those memories.  You won't regret it. 

Love,

The memory keeper.

A little time for us....

We were invited to Rich's Annual  Redondo Beach Bike Ride Bar Crawl.....Couldn't have picked a prettier day.....Hello Mr.  Sun.  We sure basked in your glory.  5 Miles one way....and back just where we came from.....good times...

Of course every placed we stopped was glutton for Fatal Garb.  Stickers, shirts, hats...FATAL IS TAKING OVER!

Sharkey's...Redondo Beach

Mr. and Mrs.  Fatal...I mean Ireland.  

Who wants another sticker?  Joe pictured in the black has been a long time friend of Bill and I.   So cool to catch up and party together...I think the last time was 10 years ago.  How could he resist?  We were in his hood!  Perfecto. 

Jaymes and Leese...time for hugs and H2O. Booya.

Because the drinks were flowing...live band, dive bar, open air, ocean breeze.  Life was good.  Especially with my only sibling sitting shotgun with me. 

Tina and Ron......Booooyyyfreeennnndd

On to check into the Hotel Snob's room.  Portofino's.  If you are heading down to the Redondo Beach area for any sort of partyin' or need to get away.  I recommend this place.  We loved everything about our stay.  Service is superb.  We parked our bikes up next to front entry, tucked away....the room was plush...oh...and beautiful....

One side of the room....

Sleeping spot.  The bed was fab too!

I especially liked the bathroom.  First place I check.  All granite flooring...lights that turned on dim for middle of the night tinkles...all the sweet little things to accommodate.  Definitely here.

View from our room.  Not that looking out at the harbor isn't appealing to us, it's just that we see it.  We have it.  We love it.  But the cute part of this harbor is on that plank out there were sea lions.  I could hear them all night long.  We left our room window cracked for a breeze, and I couldn't help but soak up their noises.   I was pretending to be on some long distant island.....not just 20 minutes away.  

Bill-e-o snappin shots of mommy-o wayy to early.  haha.

Dressed and ready for our bike ride to breakfast alone.  I quickly visited their sitting area.  Who can resist a fireplace cracklin' away while some were tucked in a chair reading a book?  Superb.  Super super superb. 

The decor was everything Lisa. 

Just look at that beautiful blue.....

We rode our bikes to find the perfect little spot to have breakfast and cheers away to our fun day with friends...and family.   We strolled around a few streets, heading back down to the harbor...and stumbled across this cute little place called The Halibut.  Sweet service.  Free complimentary Champagne with your meal. Mimosa's were calling our name anyway.  Right players?

We split this Crab Crepe.  Two words.  Sinfully delish. 

And while we celebrated with friends...and took some time out for us....Kali and Gianni had a date at Downtown Disney....Cute little bugs you see there.  Wild part?  That Build-a-Bear behind them once held both of these sweet little ones for parties....where they stood waiting for that perfect bear, or monkey to be stuffed....A day that feels not that long ago.  Where did my baby go? 

Our other baby birdies were at Speedway. Watching another one of our favorite sports.  Moto-X.  Cuddled up to the one they love.   I am home.  Walked into a house that smelled of my new favorite candle.  Kali did all her chores, ready for the week.  Sunday is here.  Time to celebrate the chance to make more things happen.  As we do.  Keeping life full.  Remembering along the way to be kind to one another.  Pray for those that hurt you.  Be true to yourself.  

P.S.  Plan a one night get-away with the one you love.  You will be glad you did.  I promise.  Do it.  

Cheers!

The PRECIOUS Years.....T.W.E.N.T.Y. O.N.E.

Dillons in Chino.  I was asked to come "Meet the parents". (no pun intended..HAHA!)   And so Kali and I dressed up, packed er up and jaunted out to celebrate with this beautiful girl.  On a very special day.  Twenty one.  

Kris celebrated with her in the afternoon.  She opened her cute gifts.  Sweet cards.  And lots of sweet hugs and kisses.  He bought her a cute Coach purse.  I bought her a sign that read "LOVE WHAT YOU DO". 

Merkemer and Lizo-babers (Kris was known by a little friend when he was little by that name)  So so cute.  Note to viewers...the man to the left is her Daddy-o.  Funny to me.  Oh man.   I know my son will be good to her. 

That's how you celebrate 21.  With family and friends.  Oh.  And your boyyyfriend.  Holla Back Yo! 

Isn't this truth speaking in heaps and bounds?   Honestly, the older I become the more I appreciate age.  Not that stepping out of bed and feeling every little creek of pain in my feet at times. Or my back once in a while.  I AM WISER.  I AM BRAVER.  I AM ME.  AND I AM FREE.  LIVE IT. LOVE IT.  

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE.  DO WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING.   AND BE KIND TO OTHERS.  

Mom, I am so nervous......

Our appointment was set.   Her normal busy week of studies, practices, and chores...rolled into this day.  Worried that she'd studied enough.   As we were driving to her appointment today...on the final stretch of road before entry...she exclaimed "Mom...I am so nervous".    Little did she know....I was too.  My response?  Kee, you will do great.  I know it...you always do.  Don't worry."

And so you walk in...the typical DMV atmosphere.  Strange weird place.  To me.  Kind of like a mixture of odd people.  Odd people there for different things.  Sound shallow and rude?  Sorry.  Not to mention, the thick protectant plastic that makes you feel like you should talk at an angle so they can hear you.  And shall I mention the guy that helped us did not make eye contact.  creepy.  dryer than breadcrumbs.  but we stood there. handing him everything he needed quickly like he was ruling our world for those moments that we stood there talking sideways.   From one window to the next.  #002. Blue carpet line.  Red carpet line.  Repeat what letters you see.  Cover your other eye.  Move down to that window. Take your picture. Smile. Look at the blue dot.  "Look very pretty" said the sweet lady.    She did.  To me.  It is all surreal.  She was quickly shuffled into the next room. A room with no windows, and I couldn't see in! (TESTING ROOM ONLY NO VISITORS ALLOWED)  And to be perfectly honest with you, I would not want to stand, sit, wait...anywhere remotely close to her while she tested.  I am strange like that.  I prefer my nervous energy be sat out in that cold room with blue plastic germ free chairs.   But I did want to see her. 

And so this toothless Kindergartner officially has a drivers permit in her hand 11 years later.  The look on her face as she exited that room.  The feeling of happiness that covered her entire body.  I had to look out and about.  My eyes filled with tears. Sorry Kali...they did.  I know that God is good.  I know He will take care of Kali.  I know there are things that parents of little ones don't expect will happen this soon and fast.  And when I say fast, I mean it.  I can't believe she is celebrating 16.  I can't believe how fast life is flying.   For some reason I am having a harder time letting go of this little one.  Maybe because I've driven thousands of miles with her next to me.  Keeping her safe.  Showing things in life along the way.  Not taking any of it for granted.  Trust me when I say....It happens faster than you can imagine.  

And as I end this blog, I say out loud to all of you.....to Kali....and to the world.....

Kali, I am so nervous..... 

Things that I LOVE. Right in that moment. And it's all very simple.

While Kali celebrated with Mackenzie for THE "BIG 16" on Friday night At Maggiano's in Newport..I met my sister for a nice dinner at The Fish Company.  We arrived at Tori's Dance Performance just in time....Always so awesome to see her dance.  Those beautiful long legs, and precious smile.  LOVE.  Can you all see the resemblance?  wowzie. 

I awoke the next morning with plans to have lunch at The Yard House.  Our old stomping grounds.  With good friends...and perfect weather....

No. I wasn't double duty drinking.  Just helping someone out while they snapped shots for me.  Remember, I had to break out biggie.  Tourist mode. 

The wind was in their favor. 

I am very sure they were all stoked. 

What's goin on here?  Talk about Pony Power.  Careful now skippers. Settle downnnn. 

Skipper and Skipperette

A view for my East Coast friends.  Sorry to make you Jeally....Say "Hi" to the good ol' LB

Tourist shot with Queen Mary peeking at you.....

Such a great shot of Randy.  One happy dude.  As we arrived at Yard House parking, they seriously have 5 visiting slips.  Maximum 2 hrs.  I heard a little worry on the boat, and as Kali and I always say...just have faith...we'll find something good.  For some reason we just do.  We did.  Right in the front.  Couldn't of been more perfect.  Thank you Karma. I always knew you had my back. 

                                                             Buddies.........

At the Mai Tai Bar in LB.  Recommended.  Simply because of the view.  The open air. The live music.  Oh...and good wine. 

There's that darn Honey Badger smile I do.  mmmkaaay?

I look happy here.  I always go through my zillion pictures the next morning and of course quickly delete any bad shots of me. Forget the family or friends that look good.  They're gone.  Just kidding.  umm well, maybe some.  Ok, I know that's bad.  But I do. I am not photogenic, and when I like one, I will post it.  I am my biggest critic.  Of my nose. Oh and my stomach. And...well, mostly my nose.  Oh, and the bad hair days. Can't forget about those. ewww.   lol  

Mai Tai's.....anyone local or wanting a fun day trip...eh um, get a room too.  Cute place down there in LB.  Fun place for kiddo's, parents, basically everyone.  You can NEVER go wrong by the OCEAN.  Ever.   Just watch the dorky tourist trap stuff, and you'll be fine.  I promise.  Plus, we can meet you there...yes.  That sounds even better. 

Our Mothers Day plan was to head back to my favorite little spot on the opposite side of town.  "The Secret Spot".  For anyone in search of the perfect vegetarian dish, or vegan as a plus, please try this place.  IT IS NOT fancy.  Don't go there looking for that.  You will sit on painted picnic benches, and grub on plates and cups that do not match.  Don't look into that too far. Trust me. It's awesome.  PCH and Warner.   The weekends are getting busier each summer and spring day we've noticed.  Maybe I shouldn't blog about it..?  no, seriously.  If you do, try the Dakine Quesadilla with a Wally's Walnut Smoothie.  You won't be disappointed.   (sometimes my little honey badger up above is disappointed...there....he really wants a breakfast burrito from a Mexican hole in the wall...he just does)  But he goes with the flow, only on special occasions when I've picked this spot.  Oh, what our poor kids go through for us? blahaha.  It's more the other way around.  but I wouldn't change anything for the world.  uh oh...I'm getting deep.  Settle down Leese. 

Kali brought these flowers.  In our little vase, all flowers picked from home. Our little gardens. Love. Love. Love. 

Kali's choice.  Every.  Single. Time.  We used to share when she was little.  That ended.  How can you go wrong with Mango Pancakes, and a side of delicious fruit?  Seriously this makes my mouth water while I blog.  yum!

The card Kali made.  These things rock.  They just do.  When they really acknowledge, "everything we do".  Just the word is so bold.  So meaningful. 

BAM!  What laid in a Nordie box?  An Ipad 3! Lookie here playas!!!! 

I was kind of in shock.  I mentioned to Kris a few weeks ago that I really want one.  Bill, Kris and Kali made it happen.  What? blog from anywhere?  oh no. Seriously, watch out players. 

Kris headed out to Lizo's family gig, while Bill went to bbq for Shirley and Gaylord.  Kali and I headed out to Long Beach Farmers Market.  The perfect place for all organic. And yes, live music, cute little kids, happy elders, happy people.  Good vibe.  You can never go wrong at any farmers market.  Really you can't.  Sunday's in LB.  Try it local peeps.

Of course Bucks gets some awesome treats.  All organic.  My happiness is making him happy.  It melts me. 

All organic.  Not to mention the eggs from free roaming chickens and organic strawberries, (which are soo hard to find)-

I put together a little picnic on a tray.  We sat out back.  Kris, Lizo, Kali, Bella, Bucks and I.   We couldn't have asked for better weather too. 

My afternoon picnic was blessed with a text message from my Mama.  My Dad, in their garden.  Peaceful.  Happy.  And healthy. On 8 acres.  Just them and Miss. Bella-boo- 
 (still rockin his Vans and dickie shorts. so sweet) 

Here is one of the gifts I sent her.  She loved everything.  She left me a voice mail.  Sometimes I don't call right back.  I know I am a weirdo.  Whatev. Sometimes my emotions runneth too full, and tears fill the phone line.  And so I will wait.  I miss her.  I miss watching them grow old together.  They are happy.  They have each other.  Thank God they do. 

They love birds.  They love Mother Earth.  They love all living creatures.  Except mean people. lol.  

So wild to package something. A box full of stuff for her/them and see it in pictures.  Placed in her favorite little spot.  Happy Mothers Day everyone.  What a beautiful weekend it was.  I started Mommyhood very young.  It really isn't until you look back.  Or they become an age to understand life a little better. And we can all look at each other and say...."You know this thing called LIFE....it's pretty darn cool"  Especially with you in it Mom. 

Hope your Monday went well.  Mine started with beautiful sunshine.  A peaceful ride to work.  And more success every day at work.  

Lots of positive love to you all.  

Be kind to animals.   www.thegentlebarn.com