When rescues don't leave.

Remember I found this kitty in the front of the shop, in the street-- very hurt?

As in either slightly ran over, or had fallen from a vehicle. 

She was a tiny little thing.  I carried her around in a basket, feedings were from a bottle.

She's a funny little thing.

As in "not the brightest bulb on the tree".

She can't jump real high.  She's petrified to jump from things.

She hops like a rabbit. 

She loves to eat.

She is in fact over weight.

I let her live the little life she likes.

I catch grief from every human that lives with me.

I really don't care.

She's a had rough start, and must obey her older sisters Hannah, the little B word, along with our sweet Abbie.  Who is the Alpha in the house.

With that said, this dude has become her BEST friend.  As in sleeping together, chasing eachother around the house with complete craziness.  I've never witnessed a cat and dog find so much love, and peace together.
In the middle of the night you will find them both scrunched into his bed.  Side by side.  Cuddled up for warmth, safety and I am very sure, love. 

 

So many times I've looked at her and thought I should have really found a safe good home.  But another part of me says she belonged with us to begin with.  Because of him. 

She's a cool cat.


She rocks their lounger like no other.

So while you wonder around this weekend, trying to find something to do....

Why not visit your local shelter and adopt a cat that is ready to land in your home.

The hardest days with humans, can be erased by the kind, loving cuddles of a rescued animal.
 
Happy Saturday Sugarplums.

Make a good new recipe this weekend....

And remember to spread kindness.

Close the bridges of anger and hurt with those that probably need it more than you may even know.

Cheers!

This Mama Lisa, lover of ALL animals.  

We made it.

To my favorite day of the week.

Hello Friday.  hello-

For those that know me, will know that this time of year I become antsy.

Antsy to get away.

To here.

Alone a little, and yet filling a house with fun chaos too.

My calendar is open, and staring at me. With the days marked off like Christmas to a kid.

Until we can go.......work is here.  Hard work allows us to get away.  To eat well, sip good drinks.


Moments to catch a sunset together.

I can't wait for it to happen.  Sooner than later.


Bring it April. Bring it.

Happy Friday kids.

Have a good weekend....

Love to you all,

Lisa

This fine dude of ours.

I can't imagine I will have a twenty five year old this year.

With each passing year, he grows in so many ways.

He's a stellar soul while serving others.

His kind demeanor to all animals, and elderly will always melt me.

I've said before that his financial management blows me away.

His life style is fun, and wickedly wild.  

He has connections that blow us away.  Some of the simplest days turn into the wildest adventures. 

I love this boy.  

But guess what?


He managed to leave me stranded in the middle of the night.

No fear though.

I just slipped this fine dude up top, and we'll see how it all pans out.

I guess this is better than taking the last of the milk for my coffee.  Because that becomes super crazy.




Happy Thursday-

Be kind, because it does matter.  Even when you want to punch someone in the throat.   boom.

Just smile at the knuckleheads- 

L

Hard work, with more to come.

Hard work pays.

Changes in her pattern, paid.

Love from all that knew she could, paid.

Support from those that keep her safe every day and every night, paid. Gio and Castillo family that means you too.

Long nights of studying, paid.

Long days of testing, paid.

Early nights in to prepare for these next chapters, paid.

Nothing in this world watered by monetary will ever create a balance and reward of education other than ones self.  And she proved to us all that in fact her tenacity would allow this next endeavor.

Meet our new little Cougar.

It can be done-

She's pretty rad if you ask us. 

She moves into her dorm during the middle of August.

Chapters have never seemed to turn so fast.

Looking forward to this next step.



Happy Holla back yo Wednesday-

This Mama Lisa

And you sit with a lump in your throat.

We said our final good-bye's to a woman I am proud to have known.

Proud I hugged her.

Proud she hugged and loved my babies.

Proud that she held my baby.

Proud that I had the opportunity to learn a little about her.  Her life was an adventure.  That's for sure.

And while no one likes funerals, and if you're are like me, tend to get super nervous of just the thought.
It was beautiful.
To sit with old friends.  See the faces and relive memories we all shared.  It was beautiful.
Sitting next to friends, and family as we heard words that echoed love and forgiveness.
Was beautiful.




It was a beautiful afternoon shared in an hour saying goodbye to Allie.  That smile will always refresh me.

Although tears fell, and tissues were passed, it was beautiful.

I have a little story behind Allie. Presented by her Granddaughter-inlaw. Which I will share with you soon.  I sat on my porch later and read a life of hers filled with love, heartbreak, tenacity and strength.  I heard and read LOVE over and over. Unconditional love.

As one of her Granddaughters said "Grandma would be so happy to sit here in the room with us"

Just knowing all of the people still alive in her life, were there.  Sharing stories about her life.

Love, and faithfulness was a strong subject, that's for sure.

Kali asked on the way over.."Mom, are you gonna cry?"  "Well, Kali...I know it makes you uncomfortable, but I think so".  You know me.  

I sat for the longest time with a lump in my throat.  Soon, her Grandson would speak.  And of course....my tissue soon became drenched.  She loved her Grandbabies so much.  They all were her life.
His awesome speech would make her so proud.

Rest in Peace you beautiful Angel. 



Bill and I headed over to a little wine place in the LB for a yummy glass of vino after. Our mission to catch the sunset, and brush away some sadness.  I promise, he was happy to be there with me.  He said my big hat was in his way.  Also the spot he prepped for me was on the other side.  I was just a huge mess. Ha! Actually our bottle of wine with a wiener looking top was a huge mess. HAHAHA!

Big feet mess too.  HA!

As we sat in our little corner unwinding, he saddled up to share his trip down to Mexico with his parents to take care of some biz...story.  One thing I have always admired is his love and caring ways for them.
Mexico, and Rosarito to be exact is known for recent scariness.  But if you ask me, the stench, the food, the culture...is interestingly neat to me. History and super fun memories held there.  Look at Gaylord's grin.  Cute!  

How was your weekend? Filled with lots of love?

Mine was filled with love, sadness, new beginnings, exciting choices and the closure of books filled with many many many loving and hard chapters. 


Happy Chilly Tuesday here in Southern Cali. Brrr.


ps. To my Aunt Ronda and Uncle Wade- Cute little side story- Apparently in Grandma Allie's last days she often would ask about Wade and Ronda.  I know you got to know her through Kenny.  But wow, talk about some more irony there. 

Love, Peace and sweet wishes to you all.

Call and reach out to those that you have put off doing so, because just maybe....maybe you won't get the chance.

xoxo

Lisa

Slices of irony.

The weeks leading up to my sons graduation were weird. Not in a bad way, but not necessarily in a good way either.  The stress meter bumped up a bit, and things were changing faster than we both expected.
He on one hand was trying to become Mr. Independent.  Me, on the other hand was more stressed over what was next.  The next chapter.  Still a bit naive I guess.  Wrapped up in living this life of mine. The visits from family.  My parents to be exact.  The dinner planned.  The actual ceremony.  All of the little things were shoved in a capsule, just waiting to be broken.

A few nights before his actual ceremony we had a HUGE arguement.  What started out as a stubborn moment, turned into a full blown, fight.  He stormed off, with words to me that I will never forget.  Words I said to him, he most likely will never forget.  Maybe we have.  Either way, it was rough.  He planned to not come home, and wasn't attending his ceremony.  Didn't care that Grandma and Papa would be here soon.
All. Of.  It.

Within the next day or so, everything settled.  The dust fell into the places it needed to.  The son he was and the Mom I was soon fell back into a groove.
I remember so perfectly the night before his graduation ceremony we went to dinner.  And we had a great talk.  Waking the next morning with a huge day ahead of us.  My parents were in town.  All the goods falling into place.

I had been wanting him to listen to this song.  A song that reminds me of him every time it plays, no matter where we are.  I will always well up with tears.  Hours before his ceremony, we were in our home.  Alone.  I asked him to come sit and listen to it.  He did, with sincere ears open.  He did.   I cried of course, and hugged him as he got up from the chair, I expected a typical teenage awkward embrace.  But instead, he hugged me back and said.."that's cool Mom, thanks"---

While driving home today the song came on.  It's crossed my mind lately with all the fast changes beginning to form with Kali.  It will remind me of her too.

As I make my way around a corner close to home, Kris is headed in my direction.  Driving to one another, we soon stop in the middle of the road to chat.  Little did he know that my eyes had tears under my glasses.  That my world has evolved around him for almost 25 years.
The changes, the lifestyles.  All of the things that make up motherhood are staring at me in the face.
Like never before.

"Loving one another every step of the way"

I know I can be sappy folks.  Just know that when the time slips in front of you, and the directional arrow is relying on you to pull the trigger to make it all happen, it's that moment that some things have slices of irony written all over em.

Today we are planning a next huge step for Kali.  A family discussion will take place.
Letters of intent, and signatures through email will form.

I always hope and pray that my children will stop and listen to this song once in a great while in their lives, and remember me.

"Be couragous and brave and in my heart you'll away be forever young"

"May sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home"

"And do unto others as you'd have done to you"


Forever Young


May you grow to be proud, dignified and true.  

Happy Sunday Sappy Peeps, if any of you are out there.

Peace, yummy love and Sunday mornings.  Nothin' better -  xo

Stay Forever Young.

L

ps.  My phone still sucks.  It's not me.  It's it. ha.
I can't open pictures because gosh knows why.  So don't send me a teaser of anything good, cuz I will want to throw in the ocean even more.  That's all!

When confusion frustrates me.

For anyone that really knows me, will admit that I hate change.  I love simple.  And I am not a geek with phones. I have always liked those things that have served me well.  And I have always loved the simplicity in this life, without adding more electronics to my game.  I just don't do well.

Give me a good camera, and well, that's a whole nother' story.

My cell phones started like this.  Mind you, Bill and I had pagers at one point.
But I will spare you that.

I had the blue one above.  

Soon, I moved on to this lover. A Blackberry look-alike.  I called her my Blueberry.  And I am also saying this is/was my lover.  This phone served me super well. The first one went swimming.  And my hero rescued her SIM card.

 Remember this?

Well, I went back and got another.  This is where the harassment started from my family.  Bill, and the kids...rahh, rahh, rahh..."You need an iphone Mom".  One of the reasons I get along so well with this phone is the BUTTONS.  I LOVE buttons.  The whole touch screen is for the birds.  Remember, I text at stop lights.  Bad girl-

Lisa says- "No, I don't."  I don't want one, and I certainly DON'T need one.  

Fast forward to a week ago.  I dropped her again.  On her millionth time being dropped, she finally lost her back.  And would randomly shut off at her own discretion.  Calls were crunchy. All of the above.

So I sneakily went back to Tarjeeeyyy.  (Target) and bought......another! ha!!!!

BUT........BUT, they don't have my little lover anymore.
The young dude sold me, on this.

THIS.  UGH!

The exception is she's black.

And... I. Hate. It.  With a capitol, H.  YUCK!

The bantering is on from my family...."Hun, you will get used to it"-   "Mom, stop it, you will be fine"-  We can send you video's now"-  Blah blah blah.

So this weekend, while you are out....

Basking in the sunshine down by the water side, I will be doing phone homework, and trying to figure out the basics of typing on a screen.  I hate it.#wonttextatstoplightsanymore. #problemsolved.

Next step, within the next few weeks, when one of our upgrades is due, I will be jumpin to the I-phone.  I can't tell you how scared I am of this next leap.  Seriously, call me a freak.

I hate change.

This weekend will also be signing some serious paperwork for this chick. Something I merely dreamed about what seems to be days ago.  When in fact, it's been many, many years. 

And when I say I don't like change, it includes all that is preparing me for empty-nest syndrome.

Trying to remain calm in front of the troop when my heart is melting to the floor with fear.


We all know me though.  Mother hen hovering over her birdies.


Pray for me, I will need it. 

Happy Saturday....

Big love to all of you.

Hug your lovers a little tighter this weekend.  Don't have a lover? Well, get a cat.  Or a sweet rescue dog.

They will always serve you well.

This fumble finger, stoked nervous mama.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ps.  My  heart, and thoughts continue to be riddled with sadness over that missing Malaysian flight.
Those poor families.  One gal said she believes her soul mate is still alive, somewhere out there.  And I could only think of her days and nights missing him.  I would go absolutely crazy.  

Leese

It's right there.

Well....we welcomed the first day of Spring, and just like that our Winter, in it's anti-climatic way, came and went. That's what she said. Say wha?. Anyway kids.... I guess what I'm trying to say is...I miss the cold. Rain.  I want more rain.

As much as I hate lugging the boots and sweaters out of the closet day after day (this makes me think of you Mary C.); there is something to be said about rain, and it's glory.  The cuddly days in, making soup, or anything hot to hold in my hands.

Rain is needed. Not only to thrive on, but it's purpose on Earth to water life. Plants, flowers, people. All of it.

It's missed.

Some of my plants and trees are a bit confused with this seasonal change that took place. 

I can feel the change in the air.  The mornings that I leave without a sweater on.  Or the need to grab my blankie while I sit on my porch in the evenings.  The fan at my desk is turned on low in the afternoons.
Turning my air conditioner on as I leave for work.  
I feel the need to stop for yogurt on  my way home, way more than usual. ha.
As much of me that wants and can't wait for Summer, I really kind of missed Winter. 

I water each night, assuring my flowers of my deep love for them. ha.

I find myself day dreaming about getting away.
The one thing I look most forward to, are long afternoons at the lake.  Or beach side.
The sun shining on us longer....

Packing the truck for another trip to the lake, while soon looking in the rear view mirror of our city here.
As for me, I read, because Bill tailgates. Then I get car sick. It's a true mess. Until, we reach the 40.
This stands true for our get-away during the weekday at the mad dash of "get the hell out of town" mode-

Looking forward to sipping margarita's in the pool, and turning the music up just a tad bit louder.  We all know me. I can't wait.

Winter, I miss you.

Summer, I want to embrace you, yet a part of me is just a tad bit not ready.

Who's with me?

I can honestly say, I never thought I'd say that.  Ever.

Happy Friday friends...

Make it a good one.

This Mama has lots of planning and coordinating to do.

Senior parents, are you with me?

College planners are you with me?

Mama's and Papa's are you with me?

Worker bee's are you with me?


Love and sweet wishes to you,

Remember kindness matters-

Lisa

Her legacy.

In Memory of 

Allie Mae Hall

May 28, 1919- March 6, 2014

We called her Grandma Allie-

She loved our babies right along with us.

She nurtured them, fed them, cleaned them, and always read them books.

She would murmur "fiddle sticks" if they got into something they shouldn't have.

Day in and day out, we'd pick her up, drop her off and say goodbye and good morning.

We did this for 2 years. 

Kali and Tori were lucky enough to have these tender hands hold them.

Her eyes to care for their needs.

My breast milk handled so carefully for Kali.

They got a hold of markers and painted my wall while she napped.

Her apologies were slightly filled with chuckles.  Only because she's been down that road.

Those moments pass.

Things can be cleaned, and fixed.

She knew that.

Little did she know she was teaching us a thing or two.

Those babies and soon toddlers kept her busy.

Getting into things, hiding things. 

They smiled, chuckled and ran off when she'd try and grab em.

They don't remember this.

We do. 

We also remember the many moments she'd rock and cuddle them as they cried.

Especially Kali missing her nursing moments.  Sucking her thumb to get by.

Gramma Allie still held her tight...and rocked away the tears. 

She lost her son one week before she closed up her shop on this Earth.

She is a beautiful soul.  When people speak at funerals, and give eulogies about people they call family or friend.  Her's will be filled with the true meaning of "Kindness"-  and "Loving"-

She never batted an eye at those that took advantage of her.  She loved them all.

She never missed sending a birthday card to Kali, except for last year. 

She was almost 95.

She will be missed by all those babies, kids, neighbors, friends and anyone that had the honor to know her.


May she rest peacefully and find her husband, and both sons in Heaven.

We will celebrate her life on Saturday afternoon.  At a chapel in Bellflower that has spanish all over the title, and building.  Somewhere in the title I did get "Angel"-

And that she was.  And now is. 



Wish us luck.

Love to you all,

This Mama Lisa

If only...

We would remind ourselves more often, that in fact this life is pretty amazing.

That it flies by faster than anyone ever warned us. Or if our peers did, we really weren't listening, now were we- .

 To stop the clock would not allow the existence of our most amazing memories we've shared.

Even during the toughest moments together, I held on tight.  With my journal notes, and camera ready.  Peeking in at your world to share the slices of what seem to be such long distant memories to me now.

The days of holding on too tight have come and gone.  I just watch the two of you grow bigger braver wings. 

Loving you more as the years pass.   

The chapters we were filling, just kept turning.  Over and over, and a new book would be created, and we'd fill that one too.

Thank you for making me proud.  Working hard to make a difference, and loving this life for what you have.

Happy Wednesday lover faces. 


Take too many pictures of your little ones.  Journal this life together, because one day.....

Just one day.... you will look back with smiles, laughter, tears and most of all....the moments that meant so much. 


Go play in the sunshine.  Or if you're like me....kick ass at work, and don't look back. 

Make a difference.  Some way, or some how.

Being alive is a gift.  Having a home, and material things are lucky things.

Meals, friendships, and laughter just add to that. 

Even with a smile to a stranger-

Big love,

L