Folders.

As I scrolled through my hundreds of folders last night in search of any and all Halloween folders, there were fewer than I expected.

It still took me back on a "years past" journey...

Something so neat about blogging...the pictures I've stored.

The memories I've gathered. 

For them.

For us.

For me. 

Last night while watching Kali put together her "Granny" costume I just reminisced in my mind of the many Halloween Eve's of getting the last bits of things together.

The Trunk Or Treats at school.

The parades.

The meltdowns trying to change costumes last minute.

I can remember one year a melt down in pleads to change from a Bumble Bee to a Lady Bug.

And there I was in line at Alin Paper amongst the many other frantic parents.

I can remember driving home in the dark to start my chili dogs with chips for dinner. 

Meeting my sister at my house with our little daughters.

Going through haunted houses, to walking the streets home trick-or-treating.

I miss those days.

I miss the days of painting their faces.

I miss the days of the dreaded church parking lot carnivals. 

A sentence I never thought I'd type, because those long days at work, then the long night filled with candy and an unhealthy dinner at the time was just no bueno.

But you look back and miss those days.

You miss it so bad.

So if you're in it now, soak it up. 

The days don't last forever.

The Halloween nights will be gone with your little's forever.

I hope I am granted my grammie wish some day, to do it all over again.

I hope today offered you some good smiles driving to and from where-ever you go. 

Nothing better than seeing a little dinosaur or princess out and about!

Trick -  Or  - Treat!

ps-  Going through my September/October of years passed...

So glad to peek back in my life...

My little firework boy....1993

Raccoon Eyes For Lyfe! LOLZ

Cheers!

Cheers to folders of years past!

To my kids, some day when I leave this Earth....You're welcome for these chapters on thee ol' blog-

What a journey it's been!

Lisa

And The Ones That Captivate Us.

One of the beautiful things about social media is the beauty in humanity.

It's the many recipes I've learned by following good humans that have a flow for cooking.

It's the many travel authors that share their journey..  Taking us along for the trip to Indonesia, or deep into some jungle to which I have no desire to take the long jaunt by plane, train, boat or car. 

And so we're lucky enough to catch it by the screen in our hands.  I can slip away pretty deep on a Saturday or Sunday morning sipping coffee and floating across the Earth.

I've tried and failed a few recipes, but mostly I win em.  I love to watch certain chefs toss things into a bowl, and magically an amazing crock pot meal comes to fruition for my family. 

Kali mentioned to me one morning to follow Brianna.  The mama to "Dagwood"-  Living a nomad life in their van, they are the protectors of dogs.  The ones that "Never leave the dogs behind" as she states.

Treating them as their children.  Something I always find so heartwarming.

I see and "hear" neighbors' dogs, tossed out back, or left for super long days alone.  Making them sleep outside, while the house stays warm all winter long. Nonsense, to me.

Ok, I'll stop....*Rant over....

ANYWAY....

This story.

These adorable humans.

Dagwood

And follow Instagram Briannamadia  to see the latest in their chapter....
He was hit by a car, and doing better every day!

Their nomad life I envy.  Not for the shower-less days, or the on-the-road hustle. 

But more of the courage to do so.

I'm enamored by their love.  By this story.  His tail is gone. His fight is strong. 

When you experience trauma and walking through a crisis first hand, you just know these long days.

The days blend together.  The pieces being held together by HOPE. 

Trusting the news doctors give you.

Taking care of the one you love out of sheer exhaustion, and HOPE.

Wishing a good week to you all...

All praises to you good animal lovers.  The huggers and the snugglers...

I believe animals are the most meaningful creatures.

Sometimes, more than evil humans.


Adopt, don't shop!


Love,

This Mama Lisa

May PEACE be with you....

If It Makes YOU Happy.

The transition of Kris moving back home in February is a story of its own.  It's a story of two humans that walked through a dark storm together closely, yet apart.  Mom and son. Two different homes.  Managing all I did but from a distance most days.  Making appointments, checking in on his meds, texting on how the day felt, and so on and so on. 

What you forget about the other, after living separate for almost 5 years. 

The little things you "forgot" about that human.

I have OCD.  He has dogs.  I have cats.  He has messes.  I have clutter, but "shoved in drawers" type of clutter.  He has sixty thousand shoes.  I have ten.  He goes through towels like a bandit.  I hold on to one for a few days (funny back story to towels, I've always been a freak about sharing towels, cuz..well, viruses...lol and now he's worse than me, so I take mine to my room-haha).  He has forty  like 6 bottles of shampoos.  I have two.  He leaves doors closed, I want them open.  He's cold, I'm hot.  He's buying candy and junkfood, I'm tossin'. LOL! 

You get my drift here right?

Fast forward quite a few months later.  He's feeling better.  He's got an itch for gardening.

For those that know Kris, when he dives into ANYTHING, it's 1000%.  Surfboards?  He has 7. 

Skateboards?  5.   Collectible cars as a kid?  60.  Fish tanks?  2 filled to the brim (I hated those things)  Spearfishing guns? 8.   Lures?  7000.  HAHA!  He has worked and saved for all these things as well.  Worth mentioning, because he's a prime example of saving, and working for what he wants.
Draining his savings while sick, he's back up and busting ass for his dreams.
#cactusforlyfe  #lol

Right now he's deep into succulents, cacti and gardening.  So much so, he's made friends with folks all over the world. 

Friends in Prague.  Germany.  Sweden.  

It's who he is.  Sharing his passion and knowledge with someone on the otherside of the world....

Bliss.  He's a brilliant human with an intelligence that would blow you away.  He knows more botanical topics than I would ever have imagined. 

Last weekend I was out of town. 

This is when he proclaimed "mom, I need to clear out the front planter by my window, it's full of spiders"-  Both kids HATE spiders.  LOL.  (by the way, it wasn't the spiders in my opinion, he just wanted to clear it all out)

I love greenery, shrubs, flowers and all that goes over the walls of anything.  Old house?  Cover that shiz with ivy. HAHAHA!

I came home one Monday to an empty flower bed.  I.V.Y  - G.O.N.E.  

My heart sank.

My ivy!

My little purple tree I planted 15 years ago.  Gone. 

My shrubs I adored.

He instantly shared apologies, but quickly covered them with all the ideas and plans he has for that big ol' planter.

As I woke the next morning I reminded myself of the hardships this life offers.  A guy that fought to stay alive for the last 4 years.  Not feeling good enough to shower some days, and yet the glory of the life TODAY.  THIS month.  THIS week. 

Thriving. 

Gardening. 

Alive.

It's a planter Lisa.  

He's alive.

He's thriving.

He's not on the couch, but buried among cacti.  He's chatting with good humans across the world about the botanic mystery of these plants.  He's making friends in nurseries.  From here to Newport.  

Their durability, and yet their independent way of growing.  Some love to be close to others scrunched up, while others like their space.

Sounds familiar to our human spirit.  

Together, yet allowing space to grow. 

To allow them a chance to evolve on their own.  

Nothing stays the same forever.  

Thriving.

If it makes you happy.  Do it. Plant it. 

Change it.

Just keep trying....

Shout out to my littlest birdie and her amazing dude.

These two jumped out of college and into the work-ring. 

Making plans for their future one day and one step at a time.

Grants been traveling for work, selling like a boss, learning, thriving and doing what it takes to move forward in this big life.  Kali working at a company that offers interesting colleagues. Traffic for hours to and from. Learning the ropes of odd coworkers.  The hustle of day in and day out to pay student loans, save money and live within their means.  They're learning the maintenance of the weekend, and just how her mama's weirdo-ness of hibernating on Sundays to prep for the week doesn't sound as bad as it did.  

I am so proud of you two. 

I can't wait to see where your chapters go. 

Venice Italy October 2017

Keep on soaring.  You'll dip down, and back up again...it's how you handle the dips. 

Sort through the odd, mean people, and look for the good. 

You make Dad and I so incredibly proud.

If I could step back for a day and kiss those salty sunblocked cheeks...xoxo 

(Even when you wouldn't let me call the car rental place last weekend where you left your "Beats" because "you're an adult"- I guess even Mama's need reminders. lol 48 and still being schooled! HA!)

Because in a mama's eyes, she still see's this. She still wants to hug and protect and cover you with safety. 

Love you both. 

Love you Kris.

I love you Tori Lynn! 

I love you Bill. 

I love the way you love me.  Your strength is heroic.

Wishing you all a really cool Saturday....

Need cacti advice?  Call Kris. 

Do what MAKES YOU HAPPY. 

This Mama Lisa

To You My Friends. To You My Family.

For all those soaring, and for all those swimming....

Here's to a good song, good moments, and great times with good people...

Better Boat

Whatever you do, remember your worth.  

Enjoy this weekend...they fly by.  Soak up moments with a good book.  Sit in the sunshine and meditate or pray. Whatever rocks your boat...do that.

HAPPY FRIDAY. 

Love to you,

This Mama Lisa

Boo!

Wonder where I've been?

Hangin' with best friends.....

Enjoying moments with The Six Pack-  Been friends for 20 years!  

Lovin' hard on my soulmate and lover.  

I love you, with all of me. 

And WORKIN' WORKIN' WORKIN!

I'm buried in the circle of life.  Work, cooking, resting, loving and pushing through. 

Until I can get my groove back....I hope you're all doing good!

This Mama Lisa

Thirty Three Months

Thirty Three Months.

Tomorrow. 

October 13, 2018

Truth is, it's a miracle.

I suppose the take home for me is the steps he takes in the journey.  The good days shine so bright.  So much brighter than the bad days. 

In this journey we've lost acquaintances we met along the way.  And we've encouraged and helped others in the beginning stages too.  More me, than him.  I notice he steers away pretty quickly. 

My other littlest birdie pushed me to stop following some I do in the ring because according to her, it's depleting my good energy.  

Who's to blame her. She knows I'm a sensitive soul.  Yet, I lean towards helping.  Sometimes the two collide. 

So, thirty three months.  I remember the first year counting weeks.  Counting months. 

Disregarding the 100 day thing like nothin, and yet I look back and it was a HUGE deal. 

Things I want to share with you all at this point are things that can help others. 

I wouldn't wish this journey, and our fight on anyone.  I wish I could cure my son from the ailments he suffers from today. I wish he could toss back some brews with friends and sleep like a baby.  Side note: He does have a beer occasionally, and like yesterday he took a helicopter ride to the island to shoot a friends wedding and had a shot of Hennessy before they boarded..because, well, nerves.  

A helicopter ride to the island was probably the most bad-ass feeling a human can feel.  

I shared with him this morning how years ago I was so fearful of planes.  And now, just going down the runway brings walloping tears to my eyes.  Tears that fall.  (freak).

Thirty three months of med changes.  A mom that has lost her shit in the pharmacy twice.

They know me by name.  They make mistakes.  They've sent me home with half doses, to have me go back the next day, and the day after that.  So, Mrs. Stahl double checks things and calls them out on attitudes, because (WE DIDN'T WANT THIS TASK)-  

I've watched my son dry heave most mornings while the world is sipping coffee and tea.  

I've made more appointments for knees that are hurting so bad.  Butty (his butt) issues that now require a biopsy.  Dermatology appointments for growths on his fingers.  Podiatry for his feet. 

Radiation?

Chemo?

Thirty three months. 

A mom that fills your reading eyes with the same ol' cry baby sad story every now and then. 

This is our journey. 

It's mine to share. 

I am so glad I can sit with him for dinner on Monday nights.   His silly witty side. 

He persuaded me to clean out our hutch so he can hang a TV stand.  That hutch was filled with things that captivated me for way too long.  Pictures.

Looking back on days that felt so mundane.  Special "field trips" for school that I went on with him. 

I used to meet him for lunch in middle school.  It was close to work, so I'd bring lunch and we'd all sit together. 

Pictures of Kali and him as little birds.   Camping.  

Well, I camped once.   I hated it. 

They did too.  

Thirty three months.  

We tossed the rest of the gauze, green stoppers for that IV thing, medical tape, and alcohol swabs into the trash.  Later that evening I realized I should have donated them.  And then realized it was just what Kali told me a couple weeks ago..."mom, let it go".  

Thirty three months.

He's so into succulents and cactus.  Growing these things like it's his business. 

Here's the thing about succulents.  They grow better when they're together.  

They grow better in bunches, and less water.  They have a dude that gives them his best on his best days.  They wait if he's feeling down. Because they're just tough. 

Just like him. 

Thirty Three Months. 

Kris, I am so proud of you.  I love you with all I can. 

I'll fight like hell for you, in pharmacies, appointment call centers, and with cocky orthopedic doctors.  Doctors are humans too, and some are just outright assholes. 

I will always fight for you.

We'll celebrate 3 years in January, God willing.  

I'll most likely still reach out to those I can in the fight.  Little suggestions I can give. 

Not everyone fights the same. But we all have something inside that hurts.  And if I can help in anyway...I most certainly will. 

Here's things to know...

Be The Match

Mixed Marrow

Graft Versus Host     Sharing so you can understand what he has now- And most recipients get.  But he's alive! 

Red Cross    Blood and platelets saved Kris' life more than once.  Platelets are in such need right now, especially those in the active fight!

City Of Hope-  Saved his life.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend....

Love,

Mama Lisa

Happy Birthday Mom, You Fierce Libra.

Today is my moms birthday.  A day of shared texts' and missed phone calls.  A day where she'll most likely want to stand back from the bouquets of calls, ducking from the lime light. It's really who she is.

My dad will try to make it special, and yet she might discard it a little, as "Just another day"-

Or in the reply to my message..."Just a number babe"-

I've always wondered if she regrets not speaking what she really feels.  She does more now, than ever.

She's a true Libra. The balancing act.

She's one to say yes to something, and deep down regret it.

I can always remember sharing my moms age because she always looked so good.

She's been in shape for most of my life. 

She's a runner, and a go-getter when it comes to getting on her treadmill.

Something my dad finds funny because she sings out loud with headphones on.

Not sure if she reads this blog of mine, but one day when I called my dad he snuck just outside of the room where she works out, and let me hear.  So funny.  And really cute.

My mom wasn't always the mommy-mom-type-of-lady, but she provided the best she knew best. 

Falling into a relationship with my dad at the tender age of 15, she'd be pulled away with him in a young marriage.  He played in a band, so she was the one left behind to care for my sister and I.

She always dressed us well, fed us extremely well, and did the best SHE knew how.

Just look at those outfits, I mean, come'on. 

She was a strong tennis player.  She did aerobics like it was her job.  And wore those spandex two piece 80's outfits like it was also her job.

I can remember men flirting with her while out, and I was always the protector.

Back to those 70's/80's pervert days. 

My mom is loyal to her home. To her husband. To her animals. To her work. (Hard working woman)-

She shrugs off heartbreak and illness as "I just wanna get this over with" type of vibe.  

I hope my grandma and her sisters reached to her today.  I hope my dad made her day extra special. 

I sent my card with a note filled with things I want her to know I think of when I think of her.

Aside from that, she has beautiful soft skin.  Always tan, and always clear.  She can whip up the best pancakes in all the land.  I think it's the bacon debris left behind on the griddle.  Her butter always soft on the counter.  She is a clutter bug like me and likes knick-knacks in places that mean something to her. She has a scent of Gardenia, or sometimes coconut. 

She tends to a garden with all her soul.

Blessed are the trees and flowers that grow around her. 

She can whip around those mountain roads like a race car driver.

She has stood next to my dad through all the days.  

The loyal Libra I guess.

I wish I visited my mom more.  I wish she cared to visit me more too. 

The love is deep.  She's a mountain girl.

She's loyal to herself now, and for that I am grateful.

I'm grateful she's healthy and able.

My wish is that she continue to be the woman she wants to be.  To live the rest of her chapters with my dad in good health.  Safe from elements those mountains give.  That she find solace in the man that sits beside her, even on his hardest days.  I hope I make her proud of the mom I am, and the partner I am to Bill.  She's the one whom taught me to serve. To love and provide and give all you can in a loving spirit.  For love is what will keep us going.  

I think it's what has allowed her to keep going. 

Even during her hardest days, grieving a young adult hood she missed out on.  The days she mentions often to us, to our kids.  I hope she gets a small notion from the two daughters they raised that she did something right. 

And that is LOVE.

Happy Birthday Pam. 

The people born under the Sign Libra are kind, gentle and lovers of beauty, harmony and peace. However, in their effort to keep everyone happy, they find it difficult to say 'NO' to anyone, and as a result, they end up getting stressed. They have a lot of positive traits, but some negative ones, too.

Much love from her littlest birdie. The one that always tried to make her, and them laugh.

I love you Mom.

Lisa Lynn