Candles? More cute bags? Or my chance to hug my buds?

A chance to hug my buds. I have missed them. Alot.

Oh...and I love me some treats. Stuffed olives? Yes. Please.

A chance to try to candles? Sure, why not. A chance to visit my charming friend Lisa Marie? Even better.

Bags...Bags...and more bags. I had to restrain myself last night. I've learned through the f.o.r.t.y. t.w.o. years of life, that "You can't always get what you waaannnnnt"....reminding myself of the wants/needs concoction. What is more important? Well. For me? Saving my dou$h right now. Seriously re-considering when the need to spend pops up. I have 5 Gigi Hill bags. I LOVE them. i LOVE Candles. I did buy 3 dozen. Good deal, great scents. Tea lights. Good fragrance. Life is good.

...and this my friends is how you wrap up a Friday. Bucksie on my desk. Happy place for him. Always. Happy for me too.

Heading out to Lancasterdirtbowlolicious California tomorrow. Staying in a hotel. Crossing every finger, long toes that I have for a clean room. Marriott and I have talked. Very closely. We've talked. Or little Jetta-girl will boogity oogity home. Drive the distance for home and clean bed? Yes. That is me. I'm off to Happy Hour with my partner in crime that just walked in with a bouquet of flowa's for ME. Nice. I love him. So much. Next up? Dirty Martini with Grey Goose. Somewhere. Anywhere. Booya!

Lit-Ra-Lee?

It was this dude that walked the Earth with me at a very young age of 19. He asked way too many questions. Some I didn't have all the answers for...some I made up. At times I prayed he'd stop asking so many. He climbed trees barefoot. Because I let him. Loves(d) animals. Adored his Mom. Thank God. And continues to make me laugh. A lot. He sends me pictures. Often. When he's out and about. On Sunday he visited a Volkswagon Show in Costa Mesa. Peeked in The Gun Show. Just for laughter. We do appreciate guns. And gun laws. But look at his face- HAHA. Mmmerica. Proud to live here.

On another note: This morning while walking to my desk he said "Mom, I bought some Coconut Milk"....I said "Really...sounds interesting...and different for you...so WHY? So I can get some muscles. That is funny. So fun. So Kris.

On the first day of Spring...The Goodwill gave to me....

While washing my comforter at the Laundry Mat...I snuck into one of my favorite places. The Goodwill. I know it might sound cheap, strange, yucky. But whatev. I love to just look. It's kind of like creeping through peoples pasts....Some stuff is down right jaw dropping. And yes, I chuckle. Outloud. To myself. That's ok right? Anyhoot....I found THEE cutest large red bag with apples on it. Brand new. 1 dolla. For the beach. And this folks. A super cute lampshade for a whopping 2.00. I love it. I love simple things. I love simple things that need a good home. Especially mine.

And maybe the goodwill didn't give me her. But she melts my heart. Miss. Abbie. On a rainy day. In her bed. Cuddled in a blanket that was rescued from another consignment store. She loves it. Can you tell?
And this my friends? My friend Donna Crow started her own cookie business. Crows Custom Cookies. Please check her site, on my FB. They are simply perfect. We met back in 1994. Kris and Paula were in Kindergarten together. We were both "Room Mommies" - Are you surprised? She lives very far. I still hold our memories close. Any cookie design you can think of. She can do it. Trust me.

Oh. Today is better. Nothing better than disconnecting yourself from cell phones, and people that annoy you. I lit my candles, played my fav tunes- Made a wonderful meal. Sat at the table with K&K, talked and laughed...- Watched Kali give herself an organic natural facial consisting of Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar. Crawled into bed by 8. Life is good.

Happy Hump Day y'all!

Practice what I preach? Sure.

So today for some reason my life as I know it has wreaked self pity. Those days you wake up on the right side of the bed but are quickly shaken off your happy stool by some creature that you love. Yes Bill. You. M'kkkk?...on with the rest. The rest of my morning, driving, working, dealing with the many many people I do while in my office, I tossed emotions around my head as I normally do. Those that were acting like plain idiots. And no, not employees. More like the thing we call public. Customers.


And so, I left that place. Heading home to my happy place. After taking a call from Kali, expressing that her and Tori were going shopping. ( happy she has her little stash of $ough)- I decided to sit in my happy place. Not looking out at my gardener, who is beyond too close to my car with the famous edger, and ignoring cat hair that currently lines my black cozy shorts I landed in. I am in my happy place. Blogging. Actually storing, and making disc's. For my children. And for me. My prize possessions. My children. My life. I love my life. I love Bill. I love everything I do, and have. Today I am not Superwoman. Nor do I care to be.


Kali and Tori popped in to change their clothes. I made them "Mommy's famous Fruit Smoothies" as a quick supermommy surprise. And they were off. Kali's last word as she walked out the door...what? Walked out the door... with keys in hand. Well. Tori's driving. Them. Strange yes. Yea, they have reached the stage of going to the mall. On their own. Strange. So strange. Anyway...her last words..."Mommy, are you seriously going through those pictures"? Yes. I am. Yes. Again.


Mommies are the memory keepers. Right? No more lost stories. These pictures make me smile. They take away all the yuckies from the day. Tomorrow will be a better day. I will make sure of that. I found these 2 pictures of K & K. One of Kris reminds me of the days before serious worries on his future. He tends to worry so much of material things. Future. Buying big things. Investments. Life. Marriage. Children.

Kali..the days before makeup. The days when I picked out her clothes. Her bathing suits. So ya, the pressures of academics. Serious sports. Boyfriends. Friends. When getting away and blasting across the lake in warm temperatures on a summer night made her smile by the simplicity.

happy tuesday everyone. I'm ok. I just HAD one of those days. Life is better now.

Just me.

Sisters, Sunshine and Sopping WET Soccer!

Bill took his parents back to Mexico Friday morning. So my sister and I finally took some time out for eachother....I took her down to Sunset Pasta and introduced her to some yummy pasta and wine....We sat there for almost 2 hours. Chatting about life. Daughters...work and childhood.

I had this picture of Gianni to post. Varsity 3rd Base Los Alamitos. Love him! Such a sweet dude! I took 2 pictures before I was asked to "stop taking so many pictures"! by Kali! hahaha!

Saturday's 1st game arriving at UC Irvine. Check in time 12:30. Couldn't be more perfect. I made breakfast, did laundry. Time at home in the morning....preparing for 2 games for the day..(She didn't know I snapped this of her....oh boooy! lol)

Game one.

GO BEACH! #4 Miss. Kali.

Lost- We actually lost both games. So frustrating. Such a long quiet drive home. Kali and I happily headed into our warm cozy house...She made thee best hot chocolate for us. Served to Mommy on a tray...in her room, up on her bed. While we watched "The Help"; which was one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. Cuddled up in her room....preparing for games today.

I awoke early to begin my normal cleaning routine. Prep for the week. I love to surprise K & K with breakfast in bed. This plate is Kris'. Kali won't eat that much. Especially Bisquits and Gravy before a game. But she did gobble up her fav veggie scrambled eggs. Meanwhile we waited on the so-called early rain. I packed my car, prepped our cold gear and headed out.

Arriving on the field with looming dark clouds in the distance, and super cold wind. Here's Kyoko and I waiting for game #3.

And they prepare for game #3. GO BEACH!

And the rain came down, down, down.....

Kali actually loves to play in the rain....

I think because it's just different. And just plain crazy silly.

Taking a breather. Her concern as I sat not too far from her? Me. So sweet. She said "Mom, are you ok?....not too cold?" I smiled and said "Yes, of course honey, I'm fine....I just love to watch you play." BUT......I WAS FREEEEZZZZINNNGGG..

At halftime we were up 2-0. Wind, rain, drenching wet. Umbrella's blowing around, bench soaking wet. Parents standing, sitting, doing everything in our parenting book as we know it to just "bear with it". Until an Official came cruising up on a golf cart to say UC Irvine Reps have closed the field. So we won. It shows with determination it can be done. Hard work. Not giving up. Things CAN happen. Happy Sunday everyone. I know some are thinking "boooo". Like me :) At least it's a cuddly cozy one in. I just went to lunch with Kris and tried a new Cuban place...I am home. It's 5:00pm. I'm lazy. I am ready to call it a day. And so glad both my baby birdies are in. And safe! Muah!

Yes...Keep the text messages coming....

My mom has recently taken the concept of "Text Messages" into a new higher level. Sending pictures! Each time my phone zaps me I look down hoping, and wondering if it's another one from them. I have recently received pictures of "Bella"...(lots of them)...and many of their property and garden. It does say to me "Hello...I love you"
I received this on Sunday. The is their backyard. This is the storm that littered much needed rain on us. Boy did we need this. Water is good. Snow is pretty. Thank you Mom. Keep those text pictures coming. Happy Humpday everyone....It is so beautiful today! Driving to work this morning I always have these fantasies of my flower shop opened...preparing flowers, greeting people with smiles, Jack Johnson playing....and the sun shining shining shining down on me! Until I pulled into the parking lot of a fiberglass company.....haha! Someday.....someday.

Ol' Stompin Grounds....St. Patricks Day 2012

My favorite beer. Guinness. My choice wherever we go. Of course the perfect occasion to kick my afternoon into gear with!

After waking up to high winds, and crazy clouds that lurked in the distance at us, we both decided we'd play it safe. Stay close to home and make it a fun day to hang out. Just the two of us. So after having breakfast with Kali at "Secret Spot", she settled in to work on an essay plus tutoring at 3, we cleaned up to hit the town. Hoping for little lucky moments for ourselves....Bill insisted the safe and proper route. A cab. We called, they were there in 15 minutes. After heading over to Main St. in Seal, we quickly decided the packed drunk area looked too much for us; Although we knew we'd miss friends in there...our time alone, somewhere different would offer us a chance to escape when ready on a dreary cold rainy day...keeping things light and fun...Plus we were craving our favorite appetizer "Moo-Shoo" Rolls at Yard House. And so we ventured on.....

Arriving at a place we would party at years ago. In the boats, partying like rockstars...good ol' Long Beach Yard House. So good. So fun. Great food, and our kind of music.

And we hopped from one restaurant to the other.....

PF Changs. The best Lemon Drop Martini's around. Yum.....

Leese, what are you pointing at? HAHAHA!!!! emmm. Our last stop, waiting for our cab ride back home. eh em! HAHA!!!

Picture out of order. BUT, I am pointing at the Grand Prix dates...every year...just before or on my birthday. Love it. Standing next to the track....

10 years ago we'd idle here in big fast boats, music turned up, smiles on our faces...gathering with several boating friends...(It was all taken away by the city, due to noise obstruction down below while patrons tried to eat...) I always said, if you could just put a few of those stuffy folks in one of those fast boats, for a "quick" spin, they'd get why we loved what we do....It was nice to stand at harbor edge, and look down in silence while we both were reminiscing of the many fun memories we shared there..... in the good ol' LBC!

We are LUCKY. And I am very grateful. Always have been. Happy Sunday everyone. Hope you enjoyed the rain....It's neat to see everything washed and cleaned off. Not to mention the free water for our flowers and grass. I just put down weed&feed this week. Whew! haha! At one point in the middle of the night it seemed like the sky just opened up to offer much needed rain....Woke this morning to waves in the harbor, two red flags, and crazy cold winds. It is the perfect day to bake...I made brownies...now onto Chicken Enchilada's to surprise my sweet peas....K & K went to late breakfast and shopping together. Sweet to know they finally grow to appreciate the term..."Bro and Sis"- Enjoy your week everyone. Make a difference. Because that's what you do best. Share smiles with people in need. It will make you feel good inside too. P.S. I am trying "obtain" pictures of Sadie Hawkins with Kali and Gianni. First dance I was told "they will". Muah!

This time of year.....

Last night was our Soccer Banquet. Set at the Eagles Nest Clubhouse....we celebrated. Gathered with friends...and watched our girls bask in the honors of award acceptances....

Take note of Kali's heels. Super cute. She HAD to have em. And of course....the walk out at the end of the night? ...Oh the torture we go through for beauty....

Varsity Senior Girls...2011-2012

Cass, Kali, Kelly and Mackenzie 2011-2012- Los Alamitos High School JV Team

Cute shoes! Cass and K

Bestfriends.

Bestfriends and Mama.

My baby birdie is getting quite tall!

The famous candy bar.

One of my besties....I persuaded Kyoko to serve on the board this year. She did quite the job. From beginning to end. Vice President. Organizer. Awesome-sauce! My little treat was to meet before our board meetings for Happy Hour at Taco Surf. For one brew, and 2 tacos. It's the little things....

Mama's and little sweet-peas.....

Sugarplums.

JV Girls. I was lucky enough to serve them as the Rep again this year. It's so neat to see them evolve into young women. Growing, learning athletes.

Standing in line to get their awards. They sure clean up well!

Sav (Varsity Goalie) and Calah (Family, through family....)

Phoebe and Kelly....

The two girls...heading toward the candy bar....causing a raucus....

The candy bar has now opened.....

Caught...tossing candy....BUSTED! Look at Kali's face. LOL! Look at Mac's face. They had both just tossed candy at Bill.....haha!

Hurry...puulleeeze, my feet are killing me.....

And so the night ended. After a yummy dinner, laughter from a slideshow, and candy bar with friends...just like that...season is officially done. We on the board have finished our duties...our topics are closed. Until next season...

Yes, my shoes can come off soon....my High School Soccer has wrapped for now...Time to go home, crawl into my cozy bed....and get up and do it all over again! haha. Cheers!