These two little sugar plums....

Chapter one and a half.

  Chapter 16.  Good, hardworking girls.  Steering through this thing we call...L.I.F.E.  I hope you all enjoyed your Friday.  Soccer Saturday for us.  Good food, amazing wine...and the careful watchful eye of teenagers during their weekend....Cheers! XO, lots and lots of O's.....

That's it.

As I drove home from work today, I had this eluding feeling that would. not. go. away.  (and no it wasn't to try and sell those silver glasses...circa 2009)

We need to go see our parents. 

There really isn't a reason to hold us back.  They need us.  We need them.  We need hugs.  We need to give hugs.  We were a unit. If I need a quick bit of comfort? I look at this picture.  Our parents.  Married 45 years.  Partners.  Lovers. Parents.  I miss them. Without self pity, I miss them.

And I realize I need them more than ever.  I do not want to leave this Earth without further chapters being shared.  Although they never come to see us, I will plan, I will pray, I will hope these plans work out.  My sister stopped by tonight, and we went into great detail of all the "what if's"  that could easily turn into "shoulda's".  And so we I decided, that the planning must start.  I am tree hugger at times, yes, Bill, I know those ideas have been twisted a bit since you popped into the picture...haha.  But I miss sitting next to my Dad.  Listening to his amazing stories....hearing him play music like no other.   Enjoying our Mom's amazing food, and the sweet smell of her pancakes in the morning...with their "Real Maple Syrup".   I miss them.  More than words can type. I miss them.  I guess I can't keep pushing the "poor us" button on why they don't travel here.  I must make things happen.   Hope everyone is STOKED Friday is here.  As I type this and schedule it to land on Friday...I am beyond excited it is upon us.  I blow dried my hair in a gazillion and trillion degree weather, only to look in the mirror and now look like Mrs. Duggar.  Why o' Why can't fall crisp thin air hurry up and land in my hood.  I. Need. You.  This frizz hair shiz must go.  Have a great weekend fellers.  Be good.  Or be bad.  Just play fair.  Muah!  XO

Things I do know.

I know this man loves his son.  I know he's worked hard to give him a name.  And this son works so hard to give back.  I know this man is a legend and will always give me the pride to share his name daily.

I know without my unit, I would not be me.   

I know I will hold onto these last couple of seasons with sheer fear and a grip like no other.  #idontwantsoccertoend.

I know I will be kind to mankind.  #unlessyouhurtmyfamily

I know superheros do exist. #helpedgetpantechback.

I know this teenage girl is growing way too fast. 

I know I worry about her future and safety daily.

I know my love for animals will always be true.  I know I still miss Sagie Doodle Bird. 

I know I want to lighten my hair again.  Every. Time. I. See. This. Photo. Boom

I know this seems like yesterday. 

I know this moment.  I know this age.  I know I love this boy.  So much.

I know he loves her. 

I know I need a nose job.  I know I love his dimple.

I know....we all try hard to make things happen, because of each other.   I was made to do this.  You were made to do this.  You can do it.  I had a chat with a friend last night.   She was...(and you know who you are..) going through tough times.  More like hormonal kick your ass tough times.  Where tears seem to fall inappropriately and during the worst times.  And the world seems against her.  It just does.  Things actually are.  She's not the only one.  Everyone struggles.  Even when they post beautiful pictures of fun times, eh em fake facebook.  life as they proclaim to be perfect.  It. ISN'T.  It never will be perfect.  But look around.  You can do it.  You will get through it.  I do.  I've had to.  We've had to.  My life isn't perfect.  You can do it.  I love you.  The world needs you.  .........There is only one way to go girl. And that is up.  You can do it.  Plus.  Hormones kick your ass for about 4 days.  After that....it's peach.  Smile. Drink good wine.  Smile some more.  You got this.  Did i tell you my life isn't perfect?  Just nicely illustrated.  boom. #truth.  HA! Cheers peeps.  Go get em...Well, chase Friday down. I know a few people that need Friday.  Like Stat.  Sticks and Stones may break my bones...but.........

Love the days.

Because we really never know what tomorrow will be.

it could be happiness. 

Sometimes serious, and always true.

Sometimes silliness......and  no matter what, we have each other.  When the world seems fancy, I catch myself wondering, yet I remind myself.   I try to remind my daughter who becomes easily attached to the material of who has what, driving what, where, and how....She just does.  When you work hard to provide, yet receiving this unattached attitude at sixteen, from that same girl, it makes you wonder.   And recently we have endured many of these little conversations with her.  I refuse to allow this behavior.  I will hold my ground.  I will preach to her like there is no tomorrow.  And we only have today.  Because having little things, that mean bigger and more are what count.  No she won't get a new Range Rover like some of her friends.  No she won't be allowed a limitless credit card.  No she won't be allowed a shopping spree at Fashion Island.   No she won't be allowed brand new things that people should earn. (She did earn Ray Bans, Thank you Dad..over priced fellers)Yes she is on honor roll.  Yes she made Principal's honor roll.  Yes, she kicks butt at almost anything she touches. Yes, she practices 4 hours some days. 3 times a week.  She just does.  She should. It's life.  It's what we/I expect.  It should be no different.  It's part of the cycle of life. Because remember, we have her/their back.  Have for many many years.  She will move through school, and on through college, because this is life.  She will work hard for herself and her family because she's had to.  No she won't get a range rover at her next party.  She is lucky to have all she does.  She really is.  And I will hold my ground.  She has health.  Beauty, life and a home.  Small, cozy and full of love, but a nice good home(s).   Are any of you experiencing these talks with your kids yet? Are they too little? Have you crossed this bridge yet? Do you live in an area where big and fancy isn't so?  Or is our princess the only one?   Lord up above, please help me.  And watch over this beautiful girl during Chapter 16.  Oh, did I tell you I want a 3 Carat Diamond ring?   Oh, I did?  HAHAHA! B, I love you.  And I am kidding.  No I'm not.  Well, yes I am.  I am.  Seriously I am.  And VERY Thankful.  We all know that. And that is true stuff. Happy Tuesday lovies.  Play fair. And keep politics to yourselves.  Please? Thanks.

Native cocktails, Lake poop and AMAZING sunsets.

And so our weekend kicked off late Wednesday...we were off.  Both minds filled to the brim with all things work, kids, and schedules.  Although we had this place in mind. It still boggles us to leave.  It just does. 

Just the view of an empty lake.  The sound of the boat.  The smell of the lake air. 

Even when you head to the cove you call B and L cove, and it's full of lake poop.  And for my non-lake friends, it's this stuff that floats up to the top of the lake that looks like green chunkie poop.  Guess it's the bottom of the lake, or the weeds or something.  ?  It's gross.  I tried so hard to keep my mouth zipped.  But after an hour, I just couldn't handle it. unzipped. yuck.

well, you see the photographer caught me dwelling.  eww. 

we roll big.  

After 10 years we decided it was time to go back to the casino.  Try something different. Where you can get Native Cigarettes.  double eww.

Seriously the menu.  Do any of you remember this picture from our childhood? 

and while you dine, you can enjoy native cigarette's AND ashtrays.  yum.

shortly after this picture, I was surrounded by native authority to PUT. THE. CAMERA. AWAY.  Or it would be confiscated. wha?  wow.  Not my beloved Sony.  I agreed, just so I could enjoy this calorie/cholesterol free drink. 

I begged to get away from lake poop, smokie casino's, and mean authority, so that I could just enjoy my floatie where the water was cool, and my brew was cooler....

meanwhile just waiting for Mr. Sunset to bless us yet again....

because when hulk ties the boat up, you need to get home to catch the rest of that sunset. 

Hulk floating. 

pulling in to see the American flag posted on a boat made us smile.  God Bless the US.

He always makes me smile.  Well, most of the time.  HA!

And while pulling into one of our lake poop coves, we very closely made sure there were no holes that could happen with trees and interior, or anything...can I get a wow? 

Me floating above said lake poop

Havasu Springs.  Where you can enjoy a cool drink, watch a good game, and eat popcorn.  Swamp cooler full blast, and smiles blasting fuller. 

And drink water, because after the night before it is surely a must.eh em. Martini's.  Why must you bite so darn hard?

Because fishing in poop water can be fun. 

Especially when you catch little fellers.  Don't worry, we caught and released.  He needs to poop.

When donkeys come down with their babies to drink water...and eat so that blogger girl and catch it....

It's simply the most amazing moment of my trip. 

Especially when we pulled up to Mama nursing her little guy..the tiny black one in first photo.  She soon scurried him up behind the rock.  So cute. 

We dined at our favorite restaurants. 

I missed the kids.  The house is almost too quiet. 

Maybe I am so used to a schedule.  Maybe it's because I think a house is a home when filled with our kids, friends and laughter...plus catching sunsets together....

We do enjoy our time alone.  We do.  We actually love it.  We are silly.  We laugh til we have tears in our eyes.  We send pictures to the kids.  And they send some to us.  No need to pack a huge ice chest filled with food.  No need for a schedule.  It's looking at each other and saying "should we go out on the lake"?  What's the plan or place for dinner...? What else can we indulge in, or drink up?  It's these moments that someday will become standard, while we wish the kids and friends were with us.  I missed them.  I was able to do 6 loads of laundry, and clean a little more.  I was able to read 4 magazines while floating in the poop free pool, and browse through my ipad.  B tinkered like he does.  We had a nice weekend alone.  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend....Can someone please send some cool weather to us in Southern Cali? I mean seriously, this is getting redic.   Am I the only one ready for Fall?  Crisp mornings?  Apple crisps in the oven?  Happy Monday kids.  Let's do this.  Seriously let's do this!  XO