Do You Feel It?

You feelin' this full moon?

The tension. 

The changes.

The goodness.

The sadness.

The movement.

The love.

The pain.

It's always more prevalent during these big beautiful full moons...

May you be blessed with a kindred heart, and forgiving soul.

This Mama lisa

Happy Birthday Buckie

To the little guy that makes our hearts full.

Nine Years.

Nine years of never willingly giving us kisses.  

Nine years of ignoring us while in search of a tree to pee on.

Nine years of loving us back. 

Nine years of stealing cat food like a boss.

Nine years of staring deep at whomever is cooking.

Nine years of tagging along to places you'd rather not be, but insisted on going at first.

Nine years of being the most chill dog we've ever known. 

Nine years of loving you. 

Nine years of loving us. 

Happy Ninth Birthday Buckie Stahl!

We are so lucky to have been loved by you all these years....

I hope your little heart keeps tickin' strong!

For the rest of your days, and the rest of ours....

YOU are the best puppers.  Happy Birthday little guy....

Love,

Grammie

Dear Weekend

Do your best.  Love your hardest.  Stay true to the truth.  

Go rest up.

And just be you.

But pass out smiles. Even if you must force it. 

Happy Weekend-- 

All my love,

Lisa Lynn

She Picks The Label

My name is Lisa, and I pick wines based on the label. 

This one stuck its arm way out for me to grab. 

Cultivating togetherness?

Yes, please. 

Generosity.  Peace.  Become. Family. Kindness.  Purpose.  Fearless.  Common Ground.

Laughter.  

And most of all....LOVE---

Happy Thursday friends...Gather where you can. With whom you can.

Trust Your Strength....

xoxo

This Mama Lisa

Ps-  Kali contested her 25th, (kidding) parking ticket, and WON. 

Silver linings kids, silver linings...

Words to take with you....

I actually attack the concept of happiness. The idea that—I don’t mind people being happy—but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down three things that made you happy today before you go to sleep” and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position. It’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say, “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness.” Ask yourself, “Is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is.

An excerpt from The Good Life--

4 Years.

Happy 4th Anniversary to these two birdies....

You know the pages in their chapters. 

They've been through more in 4 years than some in 50.

I love you both.  

My wish for you both, is health, safety and peace....

This Mama Lisa

The Lonely Hearts

More human kindness and genuine humans doing what they can, to help the lonely.

The bullied.

The quiet ones.

Brilliant and Kind

And I post these pictures below because they make me happy.

Another reminder how quickly the years fly by.

Don't blink!

Beautiful day to you....

Three Cheers For Love And Kindness!

This Mama Lisa

Weekend Vibes

Enjoy some sunshine if you're lucky enough to do so.....

May peace and love be your weekend vibe.

Our one and only egg.  And mama and papa bird are gone....

This Mama Lisa

And Just Like That

Did you all survive VALENTINESDAYTWOTHOUSANDEIGHTEEN!?

Is it me, or did you guys notice flowers, Teddy Bears, Balloons, gosh-knows-you-name-it-stuffed-in-a-basket....on every street corner?!  Not to mention the grocery store had this at the line entrance...

You guys.....

Allthelolzzz

I wanted to get in line with toilet paper and tampons but figured I'd really rock the line..Can you imagine sittin' my tampons on this guys cart.....

Can't stop won't stop----

I was actually in there to buy a card for my parents...

You guys...Look at this.  FIFTY YEARS.

Again, I found myself reading cheesy cards about "The Amazing Love You've Shared All These Years"  And at one point I had a huge lump in my throat ---

The truth is, looking back at the 50 years wasn't always amazing.  

As a matter of fact, it was out right grueling some days....

50 years was enduring some of my moms hardest days. Because of my dads drinking.

Alcohol taking a firm grip on our family life for half of those 50. 

A mom that pondered the thought of jumping out and leaving, but didn't leave because she had two little girls. 

50 years of sorting finances to make ends meet. 

Never over spending or purchasing things they couldn't afford.

And so they did without. 

Alot. 

In those 50 years they taught me hard work.

They taught me about the hippy vibe of just being kind.

And loving others.

Especially animals. 

They taught me that sticking together in the end is the only thing you're left with.

That deep love.

The love when you kiss your wife as she leaves on a gurney for surgery, that you cannot live without her.

Those 50 years will be figuring out how to get through the rest. 

Now a deeper sense of love.

A mom whom tries hard to stash the bad times.

Because she loved us.

Because she loves him.

Deep stuff kids.

Deep.

I sent their card last night. 

Fifty Years This Saturday...

Fifty.

But back to Valentines....2018.....

I kept thinking of my friends and family that are either not in a relationship or in one that just outright stinks, and I just imagine how these things feel. 

Like really?

LOVER'S LANE?

It made me want to remind all of us, that flowers, and balloons don't make the one holiday that much extra.  That the love we give and receive from friends and family all year long is what makes this chance in life more bearable. 

I hope this trend in seasons doesn't continue on this path of validation for love.

My Valentines Day at work was a funny one.

First this happened...

My computer with EVERYTHING I do everyday, alllllday, zapped down...

It took 5 hours to get it runnin' again.  And with it back up, only half of my sites, passwords, and documents restored..

Cupid surely won there...

Love is finding partners in girlfriends.  Sisterhood.  Dinners with those you care about.

Getting caught up in the hype of "flowers, balloons, gifts, and dates" just might be the notion of acceptance. 

We all want to be accepted.  We all want to feel love. We all want to walk this path with a lover and best friend. 

But when you're still searching, this stuff is a tad bit too much.

Keep loving yourself.  YOU are worth it.  Buy yourself a new plant.  Water your own garden, as they say....

The rest will fall into place.  

Don't give up!  And DON'T EVER GET IN THAT LOVER LINE!  

I call bullshit.  

This Lover Of Good Wine Happy Times With Good People And Best Friends. 

Lisa Lynn

And by the way....I love Bill beyond what I thought I could ever love.

He is my partner. My rock. My best hugger.  My tear wiper. My everything.

And I am so lucky, I know this. 

But boasting just ain't my thing. 

Ps.  Bill and I walked to a favorite restaurant up the street last night.  It's closed down for good. LOL

So instead we walked into our second fav restaurant "Himalayan" -  Welcomed with open arms.  Served by hardworkin' guys...not quite prepared for a crowd...but did such a fine job. 

And for the record, I didn't need tampons.  So lucky me, right?  Or lucky him. 

#wompwomp

sorry Kris and Kali...

LOLZ

Let LOVE Move You

Not sure how you celebrate Valentines Day, but as for me and my lover, we don't really make a big fuss about it.  The thought of cramming into a restaurant on this day with all the others, just makes me cringe. Actually I feel so sorry for the workers!  The second thought of over-paying for flowers that although beautiful, will die.  Those that do not have a partner, it ting's my heart to boast in front of others.

What we both dream and work hard for, is just getting away.  To a place we both love.  A place that offers solitude. No phones. Just us.

And so on this over-hyped day.....I say to you all....

Keep lovin'  keep swimming...and remember to spread love and kindness. 

Not just on this day, but all the days.  This world needs love.  And compassion.

And KINDNESS.

Bill did come home with my favorite Devynn's Flowers last weekend so he did earn cupid points for that. Boom. LOLZ

This Mama Lisa

Words Of Truth

I read this and thought of my birdies.  And their friends.

And my friends.

And myself.

And my family.

And all the young souls in this world.

Keep swimming.

And remember...you will get through whatever trial you're facing.

Happy Tuesday Taco Heads...

With Love,

Mama Lisa

Finishing What She Started

Kali's first year of college had a few "things she must do" on the list. 

Those beginning days living on campus in the dorms, she truly had the full experience of "going away to college".  (still chuckle when I look back at how fretful I was....lol) IF YOUR CHILD CAN GO AWAY TO COLLEGE, MAKE THEM, LET THEM, DON'T LOOK BACK--BE PROUD!

Something I never dreamed of myself, as a young girl.  She experienced quite a few fun things in that dorm.  Along with the few things that weren't her favorite (dealing with messy roommates).  Her goal was to get into a sorority.  One that she had her eye on, was Alpha Chi Omega. 

Recruitment 2015 - Kali and Madison Thompson-Who's since moved on to nursing school locally- (Miss you Madi!)

Those beginning days were so exciting.  Such an adrenaline to "rush"-  The themes they'd do.  

She was accepted.  Loved on by her peers.  And most typical, she did the same to her "Little"-

Every girl in her home, (her besties) stopped the routine.  Dropping out one by one...figuring the commitment was a bit much.  Whether the time it took (Sunday night at Chapter, and Kali correct mama if she's wrong, because I probably am, and you're rolling your eyes right now) but let's just say, her chapter nights would have her leaving campus at close to 10pm at night.  

Those moments you'd much rather be cuddled up with your roommates on a Netflix binge. 

She stuck with it. 

It's really the way Kali is wired.  Once she starts something, she always finishes. 

Kali, you make Dad and I so proud. 

You stuck with it. 

We'll leave the peeing in the alleys at formal before embarking on the bus for home outta-of-it...LOL!

Or the time Maddie Thompson kept tripping in her high heels and you'd have to stand with your legs in a pretzel so you didn't pee.

Good times sweet pea. Good times!

I'm glad you stuck with it. 

 February 11, 2018  Her final recruitment.  This chapter closing.  Something she'll stash away until her own daughter needs advice on.  Whether she'd suggest it or not, she finished. 

You did it Kali!  You mastered pulling together during the days mama couldn't help you.  You put together recruitment items and decorated shirts, baskets and paddles like a boss!  You stayed late, and got there early.  Your commitment to this organization is everything they need. 

I am so proud you kept your word and finished.

Happy Monday kids...BRING ON THE RAIN!  

And this song....

Don't Blink....

This Mama Lisa

Prudent Advice For Women

I bought Kali this book before she left to Italy.  A little reminder of life's basic to-do's with manners on top. 

It was one item she brought back, and repacked for school.

It's also one she holds close. Quite sure she'll have forever...

Reading the little notes mama left inside. 

Heart so full with that stuff. 

Small meaningful things I never really paid much attention to.  Much less, teach them to my babies.

Manners are a big deal, and sometimes the little grey areas need a simple acknowledgment. 

From what I see these days, most especially out in public, the kids of this generation surely need to be reminded. 

I certainly took many things away from this little tiny orange book. 

My hope for you is the same.

To my girlfriends, sisters-from-another-mister, aunties, cousins (ya, Monica and Andrea..you!) Buy this book.  Make notes and hand it to your little ones someday...they'll surely thank you...

If you don't have daughters, or nieces...well, then...offer it to a girl in need.

I dove in, and could not stop reading. Taking notes, and underlining the little bits I wanted my baby birdie to read...and absorb. 

One that spoke to me.....Put back your grocery cart at the store at the cart return area.  

I was so guilty of shoving that silly cart up and over the little planter side to keep from ramming into a car.  I would slide it in front of my car in a good position (or so I thought) to not hit another car...

And yet, all it takes is maybe 20 steps to just return the damn thing.  (LAZY LISA) 

I've changed my way...I will always put the cart back now. 

My most favorite-----

 DO NOT LITTER. Under NO circumstance.  EVER

I hold this one seriously close to my ethics.  From what I've taught my kids from the littlest toddler days until now.  YOU MUST NEVER LITTER.  I remember once making Kris get out of the car after a straw wrapper.  He'd never do that again.  As a matter of fact, both of our kids will have a pocket full of small wrappers, receipts, etc.  But you will never see them litter.  Can't tell you how many times I'd do the wash to find pockets lined with wrappers....

Never complaining..so proud they didn't litter...

I was parked at Pavilions (my grocery store) the other morning.  I watched a well groomed woman, driving a fancy-pants car, open her window, tossing out a bag of gosh-knows-what.  It hit the ground. My jaw dropped.  Her daughter (dressed in St. Joseph Catholic school uniform) got out of the car, and tossed her napkin on the ground.  I then watched the mom toss her napkin out too!  It took everything in my being to not walk over, knock on her window and hand it back.

...I've done this before. And not just once....I grabbed a baggie with an apple in it that a woman tossed out, and I tossed back in her passenger side door.  LOL

This wasn't my first time--These days I can get shot.  So instead, I just boil. 

WHY DO PEOPLE LITTER! 

***RANT OVER***

I love this little one....

So true this day and age...so many of us caught up in the hustle and bustle of a busy life.

A busy world of material.

Sometimes just a nice baked item.....

LOVE.

Chuckled at this one. If you know me, you know I don't do costumes.  Making a promise to myself that sooner than later, I will. 

May you walk through this weekend doing what you feel like doing.  May you remind yourself as you stand there staring at your face tomorrow morning that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL....

May you take a break, and lift the heavy burdens off your back.  May you sit a little longer listening to the birdies.  May you soak up the rays of sunshine.  May you catch a sunset.  May you sip good wine.  May you hug a loved one.  May you stare at your children and be proud.  May you eat a good meal.  And be thankful you are able to.  May you have clean linens.  May you have a fridge stocked with something, rather than nothing.

May you be grateful.

May you just stay true.  To you.

Because you are beautiful.

You are smart.

And you are worth it. 

Love hard, 

And spread kindness......

This Mama Lisa 

The Humans Made For Kindness

BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS-

Not sure if you local folks caught this on the news this morning.  I did, and of course I had tears sliding down my cheeks. 

Friends for life.

Guardian Angel

To think this young guy did his research to find this man. Helping him get his life back together.  One piece of paper, one appointment, one phone call at a time. 

Comes to show you how quick everything can just be taken away and down, all in one day.

And yet with KINDNESS, rebuilt again.

NO FAMILY around to help, brought back together by humanity.

LOVE.

Zach Garcia, you BEAUTIFUL human.........

Happy Thursday....

Dreaming of long fun summer days.....

2 Years And One Month.

17 days on this new therapy drug.

Jakafi.

Although he still walks like an ol' man, this face tells me things are turning around!

I just stare at this picture and I toss all the leaves up so high in the air!  

                                                                         I'm like that lady on The Sound Of Music...

Another reminder that HOPE is always my best friend...

To hang-on...

To keep pushing...

And to NEVER stop fighting for your loved ones.

DO YOUR RESEARCH AND KEEP YOUR MEDICAL TEAM ALERT!

Also, firm reminder friends...

THIS...

........Is the way to greet people in the ring...

The same as you greet people who've got compromised immune systems!

And WASH YOUR HANDS!

Now, go get Jiggy-With-It...

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nahhhh

(you totally counted those Will Smith nah's) LOL!

This Mama Lisa

ps- Check with Kris when you need some citrus, or veggies, or advice, or banana's...

or sage! 

Little Slices

My weekend was filled with little slices of beauty and little slices of accomplishments.

From clearing more closets of old totes and bags, to letting go of some of my most treasured sandals.

One by one, I'd stare at them with pure happiness just remembering all the places each one went along with me to. 

Kali drove home Friday to grab more bags of clothes along with her home goods. She also took things we've shared for quite a while. (well since she was gone to Italy) Her Ninja bullet blender.  Her black jacket.  Her booties I adore...

Each thing she'd stuff into her car, smiling at me "mom, I'm so sorry, I would leave it but...."

The truth is, it's good. The clearing. 

Minus her Ninja bullet thing.  That thing kicks ass.

*cough-cough-hint-hint-my-birthday-is-up-next-kids. 

jk

The purging. 

The freshness of Springtime coming closer and closer. 

New seasons. 

Tori and I had a lunch/walk on beach date Saturday.

As we were walking out the door she says..

"Oh my goodness auntie, look at this"

A hummingbird nest!

Strangely enough, we have two more birds that are living on our heaters.

And Egrets on the dock. 

Are you shocked that birds love us so much?

I'm not....LOL!

Kali and Tori...6 months apart.  

I'm so proud of her. 

Pushed herself through community college to 

CSULB! GO BEACH! 

Her style is impeccable.

Her spirit even more so.

I love you Tori Lynn...it was my pleasure to walk side by side with you.

Auntie is so proud of you!

The Fit Bar -- Newly opened....Corner of PCH and Anderson St.

You're a local?  Give it a shot..

This Pitaya bowl....amazing!

We did the Super Bowl thing yesterday at our local watering hole.  It's the place for us that "Everybody knows your name" type of a gig. We indulged in terrible food fried everything lol- and good drinks.  

This morning I woke at 4am, with a body that said, umm you're not sleeping anymore girl, get up and deal with it...

Driving to work, hazy head.  Draggin' ass on a typical Monday morning I see this little guy running along Artesia Blvd. (BUSY STREET) Alone. Scared and obviously lost. 

I scoot to the side of the road, push my hazards on...and start calling him.  He darts into the street.  Then with my softest pleads, he comes to me.  I grab him and into my car he goes.  Shaking like a leaf, we'd drive back to the closest neighborhood. He on my lap.  I put on my classical music, rubbing his little chest.  Telling him over and over I'm gonna help him.  Made loops in and out of that hood 5 times. Then across to the other hood, same thing.  No one.

Realizing I need to get him to a vet or shelter to see if he's chipped.  

Collar on, no tags.  UGH!!! Freshly shaved but felt kinda dirty.  He's probably not kept inside. 

I take him to Downey SEACCA, and was totally off guard on how shitty the girl working the counter was.  Here I am with no leash. This poor scared guy and she tells me, we don't take dogs from that area, you must go to Long Beach.  

So we get back in the car and off to LB...I continue to tell him how proud I was he was being so brave with me.  Rubbing his chest some more....

I pull into LB SEACCA and it says --CLOSED MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS---

I make my way to the front door, and three ladies standing out front just stare at me..

I explained that I know they're closed, but I need to get to work.  He has no collar, just needs to be scanned for chip and taken in.  

My thought is that family (that didn't care enough to put contact info on his collar) would find him there, easier than back on the streets (dead) or with me. 

The intake man that came to grab him wasn't the most kind man, wearing big boots, with the rope around his neck...started dragging him...

I said "can you just be nice and talk to him please"---

Left there in TEARS! NOT WHAT I WANTED ON A MONDAY MORNING!

LESSON: IF YOU HAVE A DOG, PUT A COLLAR WITH CONTACT INFO!! 

And why are dogs left out?!!

And why did he cross paths with me today?

And why why why!!!

My heart has been stinging all day....

What if I just found him a home.

What if I just drove around longer.

What if a gardner left their gate open.

What if that man is mean behind the scenes at the shelter.

What if I did the wrong thing.

UGH!!!

I prayed for him when I drove away.

I told him I was trying to do the right thing. 

I hope his family finds him. 

I've posted him on Craigslist Lost and Found (thank you Jenny-bear for tellin' mama this) and on a Facebook lost and found page in Cerritos.

This cutie deserves better.

He was shaking so much but when I'd rub under his neck he'd calm instantly. I tried to rub his eyes and face and he bit me. LOL!

Hey, I'm kinda funny about my big ol' nose too....so I feel ya buddy. 

I hope your week is good friends.  

I hope you find slices of goodness like hummingbird nests' and fresh sunshine riddled air....

I hope this little guy is reunited with a better-than-what-I'm-judging- family...

Love hard kids. 

In the end, it's all we have.

Peace out.

Raise your hand if your bed sounds really good right about now!

This Mama Lisa 

ps- To my cousin  Mikie, and Auntie Susie...Goodbyes are never easy.  The fight against cancer isn't good. It isn't easy.  He tried.  You all tried.

May PEACE be with you.  And the memories you all shared be bright and filled with some good laughs.  Your dad has the most beautiful eyes...

I am sorry.