The things in life you learn through friends.

And family.

That they eventually become both.  I am lucky enough to say, this is the part of my life I love.

I know none of you knew this about me, but I love my good friends, and most always love a good time. HA!

Mix the two of these together, with simplicity, and you have a winner winner chicken dinner.  At least in my book.

Carmen sent out a text asking if our six-pack would gather at her local harbor park.  Friday at 6.  Two of the six were at the island basking in the afternoon sunset on America Jane, with wind kissing their faces.  We sat here.  Bill and I arrived late, but that's okay, we made it.  And so the four pack, plus two of our lovely friends adorned this picnic table, and chatted the night away.  Yummy food, good wine, and lots and lots of laughs.

I've learned that friends keep the glue in tack, when life gets full, and rough. 

Picnic benches or fancy restaurants.  It's those friends that can look across the room, eye to eye, and get you. Sometimes a wink, and other times a smile of acknowledgement.  Whether that smile is "smelling/calling" bullshit, or if that smile is saying "game-on". Often times we remind each other of our worth. Of why this life is worth fighting for. For happiness.  Trying to forget the heavy chapters in it.  Encouraging one another that the scary rough times pass, and together we will make it.  To go ahead and order the good glass of wine.  Because we only live this fast life once.

Friends that agree to come along on adventures the next day.

So we packed it up, and headed here.  Unplanned and last minute.

Terrenea Resort- Palos Verde, CA

And if you haven't been, do yourself a favor and go.  Take a wallet full of money and go.  No, seriously, this resort is gorgeous, and plentiful.  The paths around, and walk down to the water is worth its work-out.  Just go.  Plan a day when the sun is shining, and go.   We dined at Nelsons.  Where water is fifty dollars. ha.
Not really, but you know those places where appetizers run the same price as a good dinner at a local place.  That kind.  But the view?  The view?  Just go. Pack a lunch, and a stash of good wine, and take your lover there.  Wear good walking shoes, and take a blanket.  Soon, you will get down on your love fest.  I promise. Don't take the kids.  I only say this because the walking, holding hands, doing a day date is worth you.  Don't have kids, or a date?  Take a friend, and go get after it. 

White and black, black and white.

It's a bird.

It's a plane.

It's HERCULES!

It's beauty. 

Friends that grab things high.  

And do funny things to call out the whales and dolphins.

Meanwhile, as I'm hollerin' out to sea, Carmen is in full hair commercial mode.

 It was a beautiful day. 

 We dined and dashed. 

But not before stopping at this chapel by the sea.  

I stepped into fantasy zone for like 5 minutes.  Never getting my hopes up, but always dreaming. 
I've always had a fantasy of proposals, and dresses, and of course venues.  The vision of where I would celebrate, and how.  This place was bad ass. 

But we got a move on....

And before you know it, we walked into Trumps Resort.  More eating, and more wine-ing. 

Trying to catch the flash of green as we said "good night Mr. Sun"

We wrapped our night early, which was a blessing all around.  Miss Kali drove home for the weekend, and our plans to hang with her on Sunday morning was well worth planning for.  Her Dad's famous breakfast-

These two have been working their tails off, while keeping their love in tact.  xo

Is there anything better than pancakes on a Sunday morning? 

Our boy stopped by for a quick visit and Sunday morning boat ride. 

Easy like Sunday morning.....

Well.....

When the tide is up.....one must duck. 

Or pick your nose.  Either one works well.  Keepin' it easy on Sunday morning. 

It fills a mothers heart to have her birdies in the nest.  Even if just for a few moments. 

And of course this baby birdie too. 

I hope your weekend ended up good.  If not good, well enough to be thankful for good health, good friends, and always looking out for good times.

Because even if you feel lonely or lost, just remember, those times don't last.

Stay busy, and stay true. Keeping kindness in the front.  Or back.  Whichever looks better!


Cheers!

ps. Remember, smiles are always in fashion.  And they're free.  Give some out today. 

Lots and lots of love and peace to you all.

This Mama Lisa

Catching up, sipping wine.

It's been a quick summer, with only a few quick visits with my homegirl.

Tuesday was our night to make it happen.

My home girl and I snapped not one picture.  Here's an oldie so we can pretend-

We sipped wine, and caught up a little. You know those visits that piece together our weeks and weeks of texting and emails. Putting periods on the ends of long sentences together, face to face.   Last week when she sent a text, -"Next Tues, my house, wine and visit"-  YES-  Yes, sister, I will be there.

I missed her.  I missed their home and I missed their family.

So I headed over after work, running like a crazy banchie arriving here, just in time-

In time for a quick chat, yummy food, and of course lots of laughs!

Stoked I was able to chat with this fine dude for a second, before he bolted out the door for a fundraiser.

The house felt warm and welcoming, but I missed catching Savannah walking in. 

Our friend Laura blessed us with these two fine dudes.  And boy were they magically delicious-

Cheers to good friends.  Cheers to good health, and safe times-

Have a great weekend people.  Go fill your dash with all good things.  Don't petty the small things, because really if you look at the big picture, it's not worth it.

Breathe in and breathe out.

GO have some FUN and make some memories!

ps. If I hear one more bullshit cry baby story about how some high profile super stars naked photos have been leaked, released and exposed, I may just laugh a little harder.  Um, the story goes something like this:
IF you don't want that shit sent out into the big wide world web, don't do it.  Pretty simple, right?
You take naked selfies? You send naked selfies?  Well, pick your sorry ass tears up off the floor....because they will get out.  Truth be told.

You're welcome.

Love, Peace and engine grease- wait, what? haha

It's Friday, I'm done. 

Well, after we all look at my littlest, when she was little-

It's pictures like these on my desk that I can stare at for hours and hours. 


xo

Leese

Shaking my tail feather.

Over the weekend while in Havasu, Bill and I were in Home Depot on Saturday morning.
Doing what we do best, shopping for plants.  Creating a desert oasis versus our tropical paradise.
He was rather quiet on the way home.  As we were driving home, I said "so lunch at The Springs?"
He was like, "ya..."-  but something was off.

Once we arrived home, I unloaded one of the plants, and he walked over to the living room floor and laid down.
He soon got up, with a pale face, and headed to our guest room. I followed. "you ok honey"-
"no"-
"What's wrong?"

His tummy was turning and churning.  His face pale, and skin clammy. uh oh. 

No sooner, was he in our bed, curled in a ball.  Asking me to turn the fan off, then on, covers on and covers off.  Later he'd ask to go lay in our pool.
This went on all night long.  Fever, chills, and a tummy ache.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we've never slept so much in Havasu.  I was able to read, and cuddle up in bed.  Texting the kids, and enjoying all the junkie shows that cover our cable channels.

Sunday morning we slept in until 8:30, and I knew I needed to get my act together, plant those plants, close the house up process to be done, and get him home.
Deep down, freaking out that if I didn't stay healthy and shake my tail feather it was gonna catch me.

All the way home he looked miserable.  As they say, it's the 24 hour bug.  It strikes fast, and it strikes hard.
Our choice of meds that day and night were Pepto-Bismol, Ibuprofen, and Gatorade.  I offered Champagne, but he turned his nose up.  HA!  Hey, while he sat in the pool, I floated with some bubbly.  His nurse relaxing and praying she wasn't next.

We made it home-

Monday morning shook us awake sooner than later.  And then I received a call from this fine young lady.

"Mom, my tummy hurts, and I am freaking out"- (if you know Kali, you know her ONE phobia in this world, is throw-up)

Kali, you'll be fine honey, go get some gatorade, advil and pepto- And get in bed.
And....wait for it....."I'll drive out tonight after work"
"It's okay Mom, I will handle it"

And she did.  Twenty four hours later, it was gone. No throw-up. Just a fever, dizzy and extreme exhaustion.
Crazy how these two were in two different states, and yet battling a virus - 

As I post this post, I can tell you that thus far, I have shaken my tail feathers enough that it hasn't caught my tail.

Dudes, and dudette's....wash yo hands.  wash yo hands and wash yo hands.

Don't put your hands near your face, rubbing your eyes, and certainly don't lick your fingers.

Or else.

Happy Thursday kids.

Take your vitamins, and check your oil.

xoxo

This Mama Lisa, hopefully still shaking her tail feathers.  boom.