Have you ever?

Thought about how you'd spend just one last day.

Here on Earth.  As your very last day.

Would you spend it a little different?

Would you hug those you love so tight, and never let go?

Would you tell them all the things you want to say?

Would you let the little things go that inch up your spine every single day?

Would you call that person you've meant to call?

Would you leave the note you meant to leave?

Would you take just one more picture with that person you love?

Would you hug tighter, and love harder?

As much as we worry on the daily, wouldn't it be nice to lay it down, and just live?

Keeping promises of love, and truly living life to the fullest, and yet not materialistic?

Would you really stop and smell flowers?

Would you look up in the air and admire birds?

Would you be thankful for the home you have?  The car? The bike?  The shoes? The warm jacket?

Today, and tomorrow, and for as long as your little soul will allow.....

And if you can't...remember to tell those you love, that you do.

Notes, notes and more notes.  Stash those little notes in places they'd never expect.

A smile. A nod. A hug.   Something you can't buy.

Honesty. Love. Faithfulness. Notes. And more love. 

Give it.  And if you're tired of giving it, change it. 

Happy Thanksgiving my friends.  Whatever you do, do it with a smile and do it with love. 

Tet the sable, and pour yourself another glass of turkey.

Love these steps.  Chuckle for my belly-

Go have fun, and be careful where ever you decide to go.

Stop and smell the flowers, and look up.  Always look up. We've looked down long enough....

Thankfulness does matter.

Have you ever wished that more people would honor the holiday with just being closed?
Stores closed, websites down, families together instead of torn apart by work?
When is the madness going to end?

Big love, and big hugs-

Leese

And the little's aren't so little....

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family on Saturday.

A few things I learned.  That I am taller than my uncle.  boom. #notreally  #heels

That my Aunts Susie and Nettie always make magic happen in the kitchen. 

 That Kennedy is growing, way.too.fast....

That this couple right here is in fact, melted in love. 

Same with these two. 

That I love my sister....

That Cameron and crafts are simply the best.  

 That washable paint still scares me. 

But I mean, they nailed it. 

Girls, I tell ya.  Girls.  

Beautiful, you see?

That UCLA fought fought fought.  And won, won, won!  Bruins all the way kids! 

 That Kali was soon tired of mamarazzi pics.

That our house is divided.  Obvs. 

That our tradition of going around the table expressing what we are thankful for will never get old. 

It's the fuel additive for the soul.  Sharing love, and light to each other, and especially showing our littlest around that table that love and thankfulness always wins. 

Love and Thankfulness....

That when I watched my Grandma make her way in, it melted me.  

I swear she's was awake.  That beauty does not like pictures. Emphasis on, like AT ALL.


And so that wrapped up one heck of a warm Thanksgiving gathering.  I said my THANKS of
"I am thankful for this family that I have, and how patient they are with us, when we can't make some gatherings.  I am thankful for our newest additions to our family, and I am most thankful for my little family.  For health, and for safety"


This week at work is short, but it's filled with "gotta kick some ass" -  Short week means fast payroll, and sporadic sales.  It means more of this and less of that. It means stay focused, and ride that crazy wave.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  May your days be filled with love, and good food.  May you remember all that we have to be thankful for.

Mom and Dad if you read this, I miss you.  I miss Mom's Waldorf Salad.  One that she took such good care in making.  Those cut up cold oranges, and the mix of whipped cream.  The walnuts, and the grapes.

Gobble Gobble til you wobble wobble...

This mama lisa

Currently.

Currently I am..

LOVING-
Warm coffee in the very early hours, with cinnamon and whipped cream on top- Reading my meditation sites.

LISTENING-
To Christmas music.  It's short lived, but so warm on my heart.

READING-
Purpose fairy.  Tiny Buddha.com  -  Life to her years.com

LEARNING- To live with a different purpose.  To love myself unconditionally.  That life is good, and every little thing is gonna be alright.

TRYING TO- Let things go, and learn to live more for today.  And while Anxiety is a soul robber, I'm trying hard to get up and let it go.

WISHING- The holidays will come through peacefully and that I can make magic and happiness happen for my employees, and kids.  That love is spread in humanity form versus material things.

EXCITED FOR- A new year to explore new things.  Celebrating Thanksgiving with family. Being with Kris and Jenn, Gianni and Kali.  Hugging old friends, and meeting new.  Spring time will arrive sooner than later.
Christmas lights, and warm nights in together.

What are you into currently?

Happy Saturday you little lovelies....

Love and peace

This Mama Lisa

ps.  Although my comments are far and few, I love to read yours-  I seriously love them!

We made it.

Friday.

The other F word I love.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and stay cuddle-y and warm.

I'm looking forward to spending time with family....

Little cousins to hug, and see growth, I'm sure.

Big cousins to hug and see how life is treating them.

Aunts to hug too, because they are the glue that tries to hold our family together.

Food to mow down, because it's that time of year.  #wintercoat

I was asked to bring an appetizer.

Should I bring this?

Or these?

Enjoy your weekend lovers. 

Be safe, eat well, and remember manners matter.

xo

Lisa

My Thankful Thursday

Good morning people-

This morning was one of those that made me reflect on the many things to be grateful for.

It's the quiet early mornings, with music on, after a miraculous good night sleep that I feel refreshed.

I was lucky enough to watch the sun rising up over the harbor water.  The still of the many Red Tail Hawks perched up high in search of their breakfast. Two paddle boarders braving the cold, lucky enough to be on that water together, watching the sun rise.  To be one with nature.  In the still of the morning.  I'm sure they are grateful.

The music on my station that played Bad Company, for their "3 in a row" starting with Rock Steady. Just as I pulled out on to Pacific Coast Highway.
If that song turned up loud isn't a pick me up, I don't know what is.  Followed by "Walking down this Rocky Road" that makes me sing as loud as I can, and sometimes get eyes filled with more salty water.

The roads were clear, as my mind was feeling a little more at ease.

The hot coffee Bill makes for me on these early mornings, sending me off with a big assuring hug, and sweet kiss. 

I fell asleep after texting back and forth with my littlest last night, and the fullness in my heart after she shared the nice workout she did, followed by an amazing healthy dinner she prepared.

The long talk I had with Bill at dinner, sharing our world in business, life and love.  Getting through my hardest days, and yet he watches, listens and sits quiet as I try to speak and my bottom lip quivers.  Again, more tears.  He rubs my back, I chuckle.  And move along with more tears.  ugh.

The friends I am able to call when I feel overwhelmed, and just need a girl to talk to.  A hardworking go getter take no bullshit girl that said "man leese this empty nest syndrome is some serious shit, huh".  Hi Melanie.  One like me that supports her world, on making things happen, the hard way.  My other friend that no matter what will make me laugh with her positive antics.  And always perfect lipstick.  Hi Kyoko. 

The cats I come home to that wriggle between me to eat, but love the sight of me. lol

My Grand-Doggo that lights up when he see's me, and who also gets me through the toughest days.

My son that still cracks me up on the daily.  He gets me. I get him.

The cozy home I have made to match me.  Filled with peace, love and happiness.

This life I was given, I am working through to be grateful and most always appreciate the little things.

Reminding myself, and others that we aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

I am thankful to be here today. To have my friends, my family and the love of my life to keep me standing tall.

Happy Thankful Thursday kids.

Remember to write that love note, and pass it on.

Love paves the way.  And if not, well then put your shit kicking boots on and go get after it.

Go!

May peace be with you.

Leese

Miss. London

Cold Mornings. Thick Air. Long Nights.

To keep it real here, I'm gonna be honest-

I'm in a funk.

Like a huge funk.

I won't get into what is smoldering inside of me.  But there are plenty.

Just the task of getting up and ready for work is a challenge.

Tears are falling easier at the most awful, random times.

The science of a woman is most definitely a challenge in itself.

I sat in silence last night after a rough day at work, and I thought....

Where is my happiness?  What are the things that I love?
What has kept me going all these years?
Why can the dark days hurt so bad?

Why?

The loves in my life are doing well.  And for that, it keeps me going. 

Kali is getting through her commitment with San Marcos well enough, but with intentions like you and I would attend traffic school.  It's like she has to.  Sad, but true.  
She's still knocking em dead in academics.  Nailing speeches like it's her job.
Building strong academic relationships with her professors like it's no.big.deal.
She is mentioning the T word more often again.  

Kris is building his life, and staying on top of his fishing game.  He and Jenn find time to fish, dive, hike, ride bikes, you name it.  They're a busy little duo.

Bill is working his tail off--------------------HAHA- This makes me laugh, so that's good.

And keeping his head afloat, just like I am.  We both seem to dream of traveling across the states some day.  We just do.  We have this fantasy of getting in an RV, and hitting the road.  Up through the Pacific Northwest, and back down headed towards the East.  We dream. 
For now, we employ people.  Pay taxes.  Stay creative.  Hug tight when we can.  I cry when I have to.
And rinse and repeat.

And if you think these girls make me jealous, they don't. A beautiful girl, and a beautiful body is a beautiful thing.  Ah, to be young again....
 

As always, I'm spilling my guts here, and I wish I didn't really.  But then you'd all wonder where the heck I am.

I'm here. 

I Wake up. Contemplate things over coffee. Drive to work.  Work. Drive home.  Get in a super hot shower.  Make a bowl of oatmeal.

And do it all over again. 

Funk out. 

In other news.  She drove down Saturday to ride with Gianni.  Those two are working on LOVE. And distance. 

This makes her happy.  Makes me happy times ten.


Here's some happiness for the week.

These hotties (funny word check wants to change the word to Hog-Tie. HAHA-no not hog tie!) showed up for a calendar shoot.  

It's a funny day in the neighborhood when you have these lingerie, bathing suit beauties, struttin' the hallways, while they change their scandalous clothes from one set to the next.  Meanwhile guys from production are clocking in and out, trying not to look.  HA!  LOVE it!
Sweet girls by the way...all of them!

Meanwhile, I had my hair in a bun, wearing the dorkiest dress in my closet-Double ugh!! HA!

And there you have it kids.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

PS. My neighbor friend Erica knocked on my door last night, handing me home made syrup.
You know, it's the little things in this life that hug your heart during the darkest hours.  And for that, I am grateful.  Grateful to have that love. 

Happy Taco Tuesday.  May the force be with you. 

Or good taco's.
Or good brew.

Or good love.  Whatever rocks your boat.

Who's ready to celebrate Thanksgiving?

ME!

May peace be with you.

Always peace.

Lisa