Hint.

Water.  Love.  Together. 

Partners for life. 

                                           I hope you enjoyed your week everyone.  Teach kindness. Let love grow. Play fair this weekend. Try a new restaurant.

Still with me?

Kids.  They can be the hardest lesson in life, yet the best gift of love given. 

Because when things are tough, and the world seems fierce, these humans created by you, can be a rock of strength like no other. 

And being part of a unit. Yes, the dog too, is truly the best thing I have in my life.  And yes, even though I schedule this blog to land at your eyes on this Friday...please know, I am enjoying my time away.  Time away with my best friend, and lover will forever be our glue.  It's something refreshing. It's real.  It's fun. It's funny.  And silly, super silly... and oh. so. good. Do it. Trust me.  Start planning.  Nothing big.  Nothing fancy.  Get away.  The kids will be alright.  Have a great weekend lovies. Let your hair down.  Even if it gets frizzy.  or maybe not. 

So I give you this.

Tonight will mark a gazillion and one back to school nights I have attended.  But that is ok.  Because meeting my sister for dinner before walking from room to room observing what teacher has the honor of teaching my little Chapter 16 girl makes for an interesting time.  It's always funny to me, especially as I've grown older, and a little wiser to see what each class room has to offer.  You see, when they are little, the room is splattered with all things colorful and lovely.  Young teachers, eager, and pumped. As they become teenagers, it's more pertinent information and even more direct teaching.  Well, most of the time.  And then you find that teacher that has been there for like 30 years and needs to retire, and stands there for the 4.5 minutes they are allowed to share their curricula with us, which soon starts to sound like blah, blah, blah.  But I attend, with smiles, hugs for my friends I see in passing.  Extra goodies for the teachers (extra kleenex's and hand sanitizers...) yes, I still bring a bag of goodies every year, and yes, Kali still rolls her eyes.  Only now she adds a smile. Because she knows.  They do need them.  Funny moment from last year?  I sat behind a lady that had a little spider crawling all over her back...down her side, down the desk and over to the next desk.  I sat there stunned, couldn't peep a word, but dying inside.  True stuff kids.  yuck.  

 

Shortly after..... I .... will  be swept away by my prince charming to a destination.  Just us.  So you will get little blog schmlog posts, scheduled ahead of time, because I love you enough.  Enjoy.  I certainly know I will.  Oh.  And guess what?  K and K get to handle life.  Chapter 16 and Chapter 23.  Breakfast, lunch, dinners, and that thing we call life.  Boom.   My job is/was to raise and teach them to do so without me right? Right.

Stay true little fellers.  

I certainly will.   With all fun things included.  

Cheers!  

Take you back TUESDAY....

This ones for your Jordan.  Yes, you can catch some big boys out there.  Evidence. 

And little sharks.#whereishenow?

Rest assured, we let everything swim away.  That's just how we roll.  Your welcome feller.  #wonderwhoendedupcatchingandeatingyou.

Evidence that she did get real dirty, and loved fishing.  Well, fly fishing.  Both of them. #cantletlinesittoolong.

Kindergarten like it was yesterday.  Woodruff Christian School.  Good things there..(the hair? holla Sade. yea that's what a busy mom does while getting 2 kiddos off to school and off to work #hero) Hope everyone is enjoying this awesome cooler weather.  Actually put on a sweater last night at soccer.  Felt good.  Still scared while walking up to front door.  #spiders.  Enjoy this day people.  Be thankful we are here.  Tomorrow may not be.  Happy Birthday Nikki!  

Why I love Sunshine. Soccer and well, city games.

I snuck out coughing to meet these chickie doodle birdies for Shelley's Birthday.  Nice way to say goodbye to the week, and chit chat, about what else?  Our girls. Colleges.  Boyfriends. Driving.  Sports.  oh. and life.  Good stuff there. Always.  Happy Birthday Shelley, you rockin doll you. 

 

Saturday morning Bill and I walked to the farmers market to eat whatever we could.  While I listened to his encouraging words, "hun are you gonna run to the jetty?" Get your work out?  Honestly it took every ounce of my being to walk across and do it.  I still have the silly cough, and the energy of a snail, but decided the ocean air would do me good, and so we went.  After realizing my latte never did quite kick in, and probably wouldn't....I jetted hobbled off.  Down the sand and beach I went.  Telling myself, "well if you can't run leese, just go back and do push ups".  HAHAHAHAHA.  Seriously HA!  I thought of this picture I've seen before on pinterest, and it makes. me. laugh. every single darn time.  HAHAHAHA.  

So this picture is an oldie.  just trying to give you and idea of how it looked. It actually looked 10 times better.  BRIGHT Warm Sunshine and HUGE waves.  Over a hundred surfers out.  Just amazing.  I snapped a shot and sent it to my parents, titled : Surfs Up! My Mom's response was a picture of my Dad in their beautiful garden, in full fall bloom.....she said "Blooming here too".  So cool.  

Within the next four hours, we'd be swept away from our sandy toes to Fountain Valley to play in 90 degree weather.  I spot one area at the tip of the field, and no, not in the spot where you should view the game of your daughter.  but we are rebels.  we couldn't help it.  Friends. Family. Kids. Ice chest. lobster blanket. EZ Ups and wine spritzers?  um ok.  sorry Beach Girls.  the shade wins. 

While they played. 

And a mommy and baby birdie sit with us....

And a tween joins us. 

And Dad's get wiped out from too much sitting in shade.  Tired lips from too many sunflower seeds.

Sun heat exhaustion?

Coach says they didn't play hard enough.   Chew out. 

Well, time to head home to bbq, watch the fight,  and sip some vino. 

And look the tween still stuck with us.  Ghost shrimp and pole in hand.  This is what happens. 

Kris surfed all weekend long.  Bucks was a lazy little feller yesterday morning...Grammie watched him while Kris surfed...

Bucket list:  Learn to surf

We soon prepped to head to Hollywood for another game.  Check in time 3:15pm.  Temps at 90 again.

And because I have a very prompt, and punctual girl, we arrived at 2!  Boom.  now what to do?

But drive around and people watch.  And what the place to do so.  yuck.

I spot Ross. I ask to run in real quick.  My request was shot down. 

Hmmm.  This must be an old school.  Look at their mascot.  Wow.  

We've traveled to many, many, many, ohhhh so many fields in our soccer days.  This one topped the cake for strange.  And dirty.  terrible field.  terrible bathrooms.   Just gross.  Kali was asked to guest play with older better girls.  And let me say, it was refreshing to watch her play.  She played well.  She played hard.  She had no other choice.  So, dirty, yucky place produced a good game, and more memories.  

This was just across the way in our view.  Old Hollywood.  Memories.  Just some more soccer memories.

Warm up.   

And so we left that field.  I packed her little ice chest full of goodies, that still include sliced apples, peanut butter and honey sandwich, apple juice, and string cheese.  We had a nice chat on the way out, and all the way up Sunset Blvd.  I think it's the area, the different spot.  The feeling of playing with good new different players.  That refreshing feeling...it's all things good.   And with Mama sitting at your side, life is good.  These days will not be here forever. 

I am so happy to know Fall Equinox is so so close.   I think I am really ready for cooler days.  I truly believe I am ready to retire my tank tops and summer clothes for now.  Just don't take away my flip flops.  Happy Monday lovers.  Hope this weekend was good to you.  Remember to smile this week.  Cook a new meal.  Share some good wine with those you love.  Light that favorite candle that makes your house feel happy too.  OR if you hubs is a fireman, hm em, Mary or Cindi....well, go get some new Fall Lotion.  Like stat.  

Happy Friday

I have hundreds of pictures to view.  From our photo shoot.  All of which I adore.  Even the dorky ones.  I adore. Even the ones that in fact remind me of a needed nose job..or some miracle cream to zap wrinkles.  You know those ones.  If you are young, never mind.  If you are close to my bracket or have passed it with flying beautiful stars...you know.  I will take wrinkles along with aged wisdom any time. This picture sums up us.  As you make your walk up and down the beach trying to give the best of the best.  A few are caught.  But this one my friends....is a little glimpse of us.  Kris trying hard to end this cheesy long lovable and waaay too personal moment.  Kali trying to get that hand to hold.  It's all good.  It was all good.

Hope you kids have fun this weekend.  I am coughing less, dreaming more.  And counting down the moment for a salty rimmed glass full of something that starts with the letter M.  Boom.  Countdown players.

Have fun. Play fair. Stay cool.  It's gonna be a hottaaay.  Keep your pets cool, and your lovers even more cool.  I mean hot.

Cheers

The girl that is so ready for Fall.

Sometimes opinions can be so overrated. No?

Opinions.  

Everybody has em'.

Some are good, some are mediocre, and some just downright suck. 

Or maybe just that's my opinion? 

Here's my opinion on a few things. 

1.)  Politics should be kept between you and the pencil at the voting booth.  (vent/discuss to those you prefer, privately, but not repetitively.  Again, just my opinion.) We all know what the RIGHT thing to do is. No pun intended. ha. 

2.) Real butter should be the only thing in your house.  Toss the other weird stuff.  Like stat.  ew. 

3.) If you are shopping with your little one, and prefer to hear them scream for more than 45 seconds, remove them promptly, we don't want to hear it.

4.) All animals should be considered part of your family and respected as such.  Unlike a few peeps neighbors I know.  

5.) Pedicures should be a weekly treat. 

6.) Dinners should be cooked and served by all that live with you.  Clean up as well. 

7.) I should stop texting at stop lights, because it is. the. worst. habit.  ever. #newyearsresolution

8.) Frizzy hair just shouldn't exist.  Seriously.  

9.) People should stop complaining of debt, while they charge on credit cards they can't afford later.  Hello?

10.)  My electricity bill should not be this high again ever.  Thank you cool house during August and September. 

11.)  Staying home on a sick day, yet finding things to do while the dayquil kicks in shouldn't be legal. 

12.) Cheesecake cravings should never come on during this time either. 

13.) Our little girls shouldn't grow so fast.  

14.) Because at the age above she tested Bill and I to the farthest point of pushing ever. When 

told "not to touch the sandcastles" by Bill, she'd wait till he turned to walk away and poke all fingers in them. omg. 

15.) Friday should hurry up and come, so I can enjoy a dirty martini.  

16.) Chapter 16 shouldn't be so scary.  

Happy Thursday Peeps.  I am hopefully on my way to work.  Dayquil in full effect. Tissues in hand. Water in bottle next to me while I choke on my own sick slobber.  

Go get em.  I know I will.  Boom.

Me.  Hopefully better soon girl. 

Just the way it goes.

Yes, I've spent the last day in bed.  And today will be the same. Or maybe not.  I forecast a shower and makeup here shortly. I don't get taken down very easy.  It got me.  I. Don't.  Like.  To. Lay. Around.  Never have, never will. This part is killing every inch of my bod.

Laying in bed freezing, while the newscasters are showing high temps around me can be kind of funny.  well not. but sort of. 

Take care of yourselves peeps.  Drink lots of Vitamin C's, and H20.  Plenty.  And if you get this shiz, fight like a fighter.  You might not want to lay around like a slug.  All day long.  Yuck. I am not a TV person.  What to do all day long?  Creep websites, and talk to my cats, and Bucks. 

Love,

The girl with a raw nose, knotty hair, red eyes, and a head that feels ready to burst.

Pray for Peace in the Middle East. Those MoFo's bastards are after us.  Pray for the families effected once again.  It's people like them who sacrifice for us.  Daily. 

Boom. Gotta mix some more EmergenC.  ewww.  no, really, ewwww.

We will never.

Forget.  This day holds many sad memories.  Many memories of  "where were you" during this moment. 

It will forever be the day to reflect.  To remind each other of just how delicate life is, and can be.  Scary enemies do exist.

Love those that love you.  And pray for those that don't.  Pray for the families that wake to this day with expected tears, and sadness. Only they know the pain. 

Happy Birthday little Cousin Lexi.  You've shared this day for a very long time, beautiful little one. 

Happy Tuesday to all you other little sillies out there.  Do something good today.  Be kind to animals.

Peace out.

Sky above me..Earth below me...Fire within me.

And this is what we arrived to Sunday morning 7:00am.  Sunshine.  Warm skies. Sick girl.  Friendly team mates, and my buddies field side. Life is good.

We didn't speak much on the way.  Just the normal, give it what you got, if you can't breath, get over it..kidding.  If you can't breath, let coach know.   (I ran into him in the parking lot...and of course had to let him know this girl has a fever and way under the weather)

But she did just what her little heart told her to do.  She kicked ass.  She did get a yellow card.  Thata girl. kidding.  No I'm not. When you play ghetto teams, that sometimes happens.   AND BOOM  SHE SCORED THE GOAL OF THE GAME.  Tied 1-1.  Played Victorville tough nuts.  You did it Kali. 

But this is how she looked in the car.  In our house.  In her room.  All the live long day.  Cuddled in bed.  Studying, homework, and prepping outfits for another long week.  So proud of you little sugar.  Keep that tenacious blood flowing through your veins.  For those are the ways that will get you places little birdie. Keep that way.

Mom, I am not feeling well.

 This is what I hear last night after the football game.  Her red eyes, and sore throat were all tall tail signs.  She has what Dad had.  (no, i don't have a semi-mullet pictured here)

When they are little, you swaddle them in blankets, and dote over every inch, assuring that everything will be ok.

And at this age, you start to worry when there is a fever....because they can tell you just how bad it hurts....

While they lay in bed....you worry, but you serve them.  Oh. So. Well.

And at night you still toss and turn that she'll be ok, and that fever medicine should do the trick. And Red Solo cups aren't just for the parents. HA

Because these sweet little innocent days go by faster than I would have ever imagined.

And that's because she slept with me.  I would watch her every aching move.....hearing her breath.

Just waiting for happy times again....

While colds and flu bugs do their thang.  ugh.

But today she is curled up in her room.   Missing her drivers behind the wheel that she couldn't wait to get done...

Knowing that her Mom still has her back.  And call button for nursing.

When going to L Christian Church Camp was the scariest adventure she'd been on.

And those words "watch us Mom" were relentless at the time, but soon to be missed.

And the days when she'd want to stay with B and I wherever, and whenever she could....

And the social life starts to creep into the chapters of life....

Well, and alot of family social things too....

School, Academics and Sports consume like no other too.

Winning the game.  And giving every bit of effort to do so.

And this sweet feller enters Chapter 16. 

And called first thing this morning with his requests of "what can I bring over?"  and can I come over and just be with you and help you?  And so the feeling starts to change a little as a Mommy.  I've cleaned her room....I know roll your eyes, I shouldn't and don't anymore...but I cut her some slack, after all, it looks like swine flu and west Nile could possible grow in there if not immediately tended to.  Or maybe something grew out of the pile of clothes "that she decided not to wear, Tues. Wed. Thur and Fri"? So I did.  I left her Tea, bedside. Her Advils close by too.  Lots of cough drops and fluids.  She will be fine.  She must rest.  I must watch. I will clean and do all things I want today.  Which is watch cooking channels, clean a little.  Organize where needed...play nurse and drop-in inspector when G arrives.  She will be ok.  Day 1. The flu bug.  Thank God not the tummy one.  Just a gnarly head, throat, and chest.  We have an early game tomorrow, and her coach is relying on her.  This chick better pull through today.  How are you spending your Saturday?  Remember to treat yourself to something sweet.  Something for YOU.  Smile on the inside and outside too.  It helps change the attitude for you and for those that surround you.  Oh.  And don't forget to drink good wine.  I certainly will.  Count down for my B to come home. Yes, I miss you buddy.  I do.  Cheers to you kids.  Have fun.  Think of me while you do.  I'll be mixing hot tea and giving sweet treats to those little birds while she heals.  holla.