Well, our favorite day...

Happy Friday lovers. 

Something I learned about Maui while there was the term "Aloha"-  It's meaning is relayed as peace, compassion, mercy and love. It is so heartfelt there.  I snapped this picture while in a small town called Paia-  It is the cutest little hippie town I ever did see.  It's shops are laced with all things laid back, and warm.  I bought a hibiscus silver toe ring, that the shop owner slipped on my finger looking toe, ha.  And we strolled in and out of these cute little shops.  But beyond the shopping, there was a vibe that I liked.  There were hippies walking the streets that had the stank odor of B.O; but beyond those hippies was a friendly town.  A town of which made the word Aloha come alive.  And nothing rings prettier in my ears than kind love, and peace shown to others. It will always make this world a better place.

And if you think about this for a second, it all starts with us.  It does.  Kindness, and forgiveness are what make up the "Aloha" in this crazy, wild, selfish, and competitive world. 

It's truly amazing to me how this life can be so challenging.  With our bodies speaking a hard language to us.
At times we feel the urge to curl up in a ball and hide.  While other days we step out with a vigorous glory to change the world.  I see it.  I feel it. There are days that I feel like covering the world in all my love and kindness, while other days IMTHISCLOSE  to displaying my middle finger on each knucklehead I come in contact with.  Truth be told. I hate the feeling.  I do. And I do know that hormones, and stress play a leading role in those changes.  

If we can all just remind eachother that those flipping the bird days will pass, and the sun will shine down on our souls sooner than later, it helps.
When I see friends and family battling grief like you can't even imagine, it's enlightening.
It really wakes things up.
Look around.  Is it really that bad?  Can it get harder, and worse?  You bet it can.
Can we change things to make it better?  Sometimes, just sometimes you can.  Sometimes, life and stress, and lack of sleep, and a mind that wonders gets the best of us.  It does.


But it will pass.  The sun will shine.  I promise you.  Keep going.  Don't give up.  And remember to spread "Aloha"-

It comes back around.  It does.

The ugly people will be there.  And I don't mean vanity.

But it's up to you to make that change.

With a simple smile-

Go spread some love this weekend lover faces.

Have a good laugh.  Take a long walk.

If you're close to the beach, go check out the waves.  Big sets coming in from Aloha land....

Happy Weekend kids...
I will be out playing, workin' and admiring hot rods, and hot cars.

Love and peace to you all,


ps.  Snapple fact of the day :  A duck can't walk without bobbling his head.  aww.  So cute-

Umm, and I think pigeons fall under that swag too.  Those fellers are a funny kind...

Some beautiful listening tunes for you ladies...or gents.  Some music filled with love, and kindness. You're welcome. 

Enjoy.....
L

Of course....

This week is "Finals" week.  For Chapter Seventeen girl, it's a stressful week.  It's one of those weeks that fall under her most enduring, mind boggling weeks.  She works extremely hard for good grades.  She studies until the wee hours.  She sits at that kitchen table, and I watch flash cards make their way from the top to the bottom, to the side, and on the floor. I find them in the bathroom, and on the kitchen counter.  I find them in her room, and along side her books that stray on the little living room floor.  I watch kitties walk over them, and a brother that picks them up, and puts them back on top of the table. The table where it all starts.
I've paid for tutoring, and watched her pull away to meet her study groups at Panera Bread with her home girls. I see heavy books get moved around, and stacked on our desk, and table at home like domino's that have fallen over and over again.  I won't mention her book bag, purse and wallet that never seem to make it back into her room. 
She is moving mountains.  And along the way, just a tad bit stressed.  Because transcripts will be transferred...sooner than later.

What I found this morning made me smile in the dim lit kitchen.  Sitting right next to my coffee brewing was this note.  What I thought was cute, was her request with a PLEASE.  Would, or have I ever even gave a notion to decline her breakfast?  Funny girl.  But the funniest that ran through my head was the transition of this note.  She studied. She nibbled on snacks to hold her over, I am quite sure...I noticed her granola on the table...
In walks her brother, at probably 11pm.
Finds this note.  And leaves his mark. All in fun, of course.
In walks Mom at 5am.
Laughter shed from my lips.
I love this stuff.

All of it.  Does she really have to put PLEASE? ha!
And suck balls?  haha. omg.

Funny stuff.  I say suck balls all the time, but to see it on paper....hahaha!

A beautiful breakfast was made.  Veggie eggs, with organic fruit, and yes, peanut butter toast...her fav.

On with the day we went.

The latest beauty to capture my thoughts and eyes?

These wonders. 7 foot swells in Seal Beach? Unheard of, and badass.

Guess we all know where our evening will be spent.


 

Happy Thirsty Thursday lover faces.

Keep your chin up.  YOU are worth it.

Dust the sand off those knees, and keep on going.

Remember the hard, sad days will pass.  The tough survive.  Just carry good tissue for those weak moments.

Peace and good waves to you brah.

Leese

When the sun shines...

Last Friday morning I dropped Bill off at the airport for a quick trip to Scottsdale.  Barrett Jackson bound he was...
Where the cars are jaw dropping, and the sounds and smells can light the place up with it's own energy. Well, if you ask me.  My only text to him that evening was..."can you hear and smell horsepower"-  Simple answer.  Yep. 
Lucky feller he was.  Not to mention he was placed in the first class arena while there.

Because he's on my team to document every journey we travel around on, he sent me these. 

I missed him. Those quick moments in time.  He'd be right back. But I missed him.

Friday night was planned to spend it watching my beauty of a niece dance.  And dance they did.
After enjoying some Thai food and a couple glasses of vino...our seating process was everything silly perfect.
My sister and I had some great laughs that night.  Over several different things.  I haven't laughed that hard in a while.  And nothing lights me up more than to laugh so hard, I cry.  With the ugly face, can't talk..laugh.  Man, I still laugh thinking about it.  Thank you sister Tina.  Thank you...

Can't believe she is eighteen.  I mean, come on.

Saturday was a day of planning. Some sharp planning in the sunshine.  Kayaks, paddle boards, and dock sitting also helped in planning our girls' Senior Trip.
It's a funny complicated little trip.  A trip that involves about 15 Senior Girls-

One of the funniest parts of this planning, was explaining to our girls that traveling internationally would under no circumstance happen without their parents.  

Life has a funny way of unfolding itself.  Like the older you get the smarter you become. Like the younger you are, you think you know everything.  Like...this would under no way pan out that we'd allow Kali to travel abroad without her parent(s)-  At least for the first shot in travels.  It ain't happening...
The paths that are laid out for them seem easy at first.  They really do.  But there is so much more behind the scenes of what will indefinitely unfold.  Life is gonna become very serious, very fast.  Travels, to celebrate graduating is an honor.  It's also a gift. 

The conversation was a good one.  It helped us understand their tender requests of fun, meanwhile we tapped back on their shoulders about the firm grip of safety, and responsibility, and the word "privilege" played the leading role.

We all must agree.  That yes, we will ghost chapperone.  If these plans are liked, or become the popular choice, that's fine.  I can also guarantee that our plans will always be the safer choice.  They will be the smart choices in their favor. 

And I can guarantee that these girls will thank every Mama bone in our bodies of these days.  And trips.  And dances, and planning.  

So while we planned, and kayaked, and sipped silly water, the sun shone down on us.  That glorious day will go down as more of our chapter planning.  More school memories together.  Because soon, as we all sat around the table discussing....these days will disappear...up into the air.  Our girls will be in different schools, our Mama hood will be held together by strings, as we try to stay in touch, and hold on to eachother as we mentor our way through the next phases in their, and our lives...
To some this may seem like second nature.  As in, let's all just watch it unfold.

It's unfolding real fast.
I am stoked, yet I am scared.  I am happy, yet I am nervous.
This college planning stuff is big, yet over rated.
I find it challenging, yet a competition.
The graduating seniors are honored, yet spoiled.

Sunday morning rolled around, and I watched the clock before picking up my lover.
After arriving back home to our spot on the dock...

Sunday Selfies-

As we sat on the dock, catching each other up with our previous hours....we hear these guys off in the distance..."Will you pull us out?"

To this fine feller.


Note to the newbie out there boating : When the tide is low, and you see mud....Never ever...let  me repeat, EVER take the inside of the green bouy.  Ever.

We watched this boat go from tilting in the water, to completely beached on the mud.  We watched all the boat towing companies come and go.

And just like in this life...we watch the tide come in and the tide go out....

Time means everything.

Right?


Happy Humpday Lover heads....

Pray for our babies as they embark on finals, and parenting that involves fun Senior Trip planning.


Boom.

Love, and big wishes for rain.  No, seriously.


This Mama Lisa

When the air is thick....

It's been a long week.

And this girl is stoked for Friday.

I am also stoked the full moon has moved on, and will grace us with it's beauty next month.

And if you wonder why I post this Maui picture, it's because I like it.

My skin is tanned.

A cold brew in my hand.

The aroma of a bbq burger filled the sky, along with homemade organic pasta salad.

Meanwhile reggae played out loud as we cruised back into harbor. 

I snorkeled for the first time ever.

I was smiling at my best friend, and lover.

And we didn't get sea sick.  Stoked is an understatement. 

I felt in shape, and I felt at peace.

It was a moment that I want to close my eyes and slip right back next to.

When the air is thick, and the stress levels rise due to many different things, I turn to pictures.

Photo's are my vice for smiles.

Especially this one.  It takes me right back.  To peace, freedom, and fresh ocean air.

Oh, and cold dark beer.  yum.

Happy Friday Fart Knockers.

Go play, and pray for rain.

xoxo

L

If it is one thing..

If there is one thing in the world that I fear.

If there is one thing that I dwell on.

Wherever I may be.

It's the loss of my children.

Tragedy, and pain.  Loss and heartbreak.

Murder, or accident.

It's real, and it scares the shit out of me.

I call my kids if they aren't with me, probably way too much.

Thank God for texting.

Mental illness is real in this big life and world we live in.

We all see it.  And I am very sure we've witnessed it very close to home with someone we love, or know. 

It creates homeless, and the lost.  It creates depressed people. It generates sad people, and hard times for all involved. It will suck the life from the innocent it surrounds.  It's real and it is unfair.  It can happen to any human being.
We give birth.  We raise, work, and do what we think is right for our kids.
Mental illness isn't a choice.

The Kelly Thomas case of abuse followed by "Not Guilty"-by those officers is the purest form of complete bullshit that one can read.
Just like the other monsters that got away with "murder".....Bullshit.  

Does our judicial system work anymore?  Does the volume of this scare any other people?


I mean, come on.  Have you viewed the footage of this?  Without even reading into the legal papers on this, imagine a homeless, mentally-ill man, without weapons, on the ground, pleading for his "daddy"-
The audio will make you rage.  The audio will keep you awake with sheer rage.



It's pretty simple and very easy to see what happened here.  They really thought they'd beat the shit out of him, that homeless, mentally ill young man, and get away with it.  It just took some time, and jail, and court, and money, and time, and more money....and they got away with it. 

But you know one thing.  Karma is a bitch.  And for those assholes that beat that "son"  that "brother", that nephew, cousin and grandson.   They will have their day.
They must lay their heads down at night, and wake every morning.

Falling asleep as monsters, and waking up the same.  Ugly disgusting creatures that should rot in hell.


What is this world coming to.


May the Thomas family find filtered new peace and love from those surrounding them during this horrible difficult time.

As this trial was played-out throughout these last few months, I would grab the remote to cowardly end the noise.  I couldn't stand to see such monsters.  Such a pitiful crying mentally ill man on the ground.  I can't stand it.

My fear will always be there of the well being of my birdies.  It will.

If it is one thing I wish to leave this Earth doing....that will be spreading kindness, and love.  And avoiding monsters.


ps.  This lovely post brought to you by a full moon influenced tired mama, who is currently battling shark week.  Watch the hell out.


BOOM

no, BOOOOOM

Those simple days.

Sunday morning as we awoke, I was so happy that several things were complete, and safe times were had.

I made it through Christmas.

I made it through New Years.

I battle depression during the sweetest of holiest seasons.

I just do.

And I hate it.  With a pointed passion. I hate it.

I mean, who else can't wait to tear down all the glitz of the season.

Who else holds her breath when shopping in stores, just because I hate it so much.

Who else gets so wound up about buying all kinds of things that I can't afford, just because it's something we're told to do.

Who else feels the gloom of the dark cold nights, and busy hectic schedule.  

The one last celebration that stares at me, is Bill and his Mama's Birthday.  Born on the same day, it's always a sweet day for both.  I usually stand back and wait to see what his sisters and bro will plan out.
And most always, we celebrate together.

Sunday morning, after enjoying a quiet breakfast at home, we'd soon start our piddle paddle around the house.
Soon, we agreed a bike ride down to our favorite pub to catch the game sounded like a plan.

Down the road we went...

It's funny how our ride takes us down the beach, through the green belt, and back to here.  It's a favorite dive bar of ours.  It's where peanuts get tossed to the floor, and beer is cold, while a jute box plays in the corner.   It's a familiar place to us.  It's close to home, and most always do we find a friendly face there.
I spy a bad-ass pink Harley cruiser.....

I spy panties and bra's on the wall. I spy peanuts, and smiles, and dust on the walls.  I spy happy moments, and dive bar moments.  It's a favorite spot of ours.  Mothers Bar, you little filthy gem you. 

Before you know it, we'd be running a tad late for this sweet gathering.  A gathering of family.  Little's and bigs.  All of us.  All with the exception of Kali.  Kali had a study/project group that absorbed her tired little eyes all Sunday long.  

Happy Birthday you two Capricorns.  May your days be filled with peace and love.  

One final "Happy Birthday" to my best friend.

Bill you will always keep my eyes wide open-

This years birthday card stopped my little hands from wandering.  It literally read exactly how I feel about him.  We can sit in the filthiest of places, and the fanciest of places.  Together we get through it.  We get it.
We have a love, that hasn't always been easy.  Just like most couples, we work through. We have super good days, and we battle the hardest.  We are the couple that get each other. Whether we're sitting in a cove sipping cold beer alone, or a top a fancy hotel mountain sipping martini's.  I love the way you love me.  

Until it's Shark Week.

Well, then the whole story changes. 


Bring on Two Thousand Fourteen.....

Who's ready to move some mountains?!


Not ready to move mountains?

Well, then kick some sand.  In the air.  Just close your eyes.


Finally exhaling, and always looking out for those simple days-

L

Like a flash...

Saturday's ritual of Winter Formal prep was so laid back.  For some reason, it just was.
We woke to beautiful sunny skies.
I worked on more college stuff, while Kali just chilled.  It felt different from years past.  It just did. 
The flurry just wasn't there.  We knew we had appts to get to.  The lay out was the same.  Same places, yet so different.  And for that I am so thankful.
I snapped NOT one picture of her at hair, and makeup.  Talk about odd.
And it didn't even dawn on me until she was getting dressed.

Senior year brings a whole new outlook.  So ready for the night...So prepared, and humble.  So seasoned, and so chill.
Arriving at the park...which to me is so overrated....this is what I see in the distance..

This years group size was 44- Yep, that's right, double that...and then imagine the hostess house setting up for this.  Ha!
So I finagled  my way over after pictures..."to help"-
But before doing so, we took a thousand pictures.  In the setting of a dirty duck pond, and bird poop.

With her Dad behind the lens....and tucked far away in the distance....

Because I had my big ol' lens on....

In case you were wondering why the most important people are cut out of this shot. 

Featuring...."The back sides of the important people"-  Yes, I failed.  I do love this shot of her seeing Brandy. Gio's sister took tons of pictures too, so we'll wait to be inspired by those soon.

If you could have been perched in a tree, you would of seen me juggling an I-pad, camera, phone, flowers, boxes, and my purse.  Funny stuff kids. 

Senior Year, last Winter Formal 2014

Owww.  oh, bird mudpoop. 

I love this shot.  In so many ways.  Just perfect.

"Let's get on with this night girls"

Yes, lets.

Meanwhile, just a little more south, my sister and beauty of a niece Tori...on the Seal Beach Pier.

Those sneaky Mama Helpers.

Famous candy bar...

This years theme was "Circus"- 

The dinner lay-out brought to you by, Buca Di Beppo.   Yum!  As we were setting the food out, these poor kids were like lingering sharks.....especially the girls...STARVING!

As Shelly, Roxanne and I stood outside in the Foyer, we see these two dudes walk into the library.  After seating themselves, proceed to play this machine like there wasn't a tomorrow.  LOVE.  LOVE, this! Gave me chills.  And tears. ha. 

Soon I'd pack up my bags to leave.  Taking another ten or so pictures.  I kissed our kiddo's goodbye.  Gave a few more hugs to my friends.  Prayed as I walked to my car.
Wished big wishes for a fun night, begged Kali to take more pictures.

And I was off.

Both kids got home at close to 3am.

Bam.  There you have it.  Winter Formal 2014-  Like a flash, it's all done.

Now go kick some ass this week kids.  Let's do this.

Not feeling it today? That's ok, maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Watch out for the full moon.  Peeking around the corner at us.  Take a deep breath, and don't take things personal.

Just smile, and walk away.  Or disconnect that ze-phone call.


Big love, and peaceful wishes to you.

Mama Lisa