June-uary

Holy ca-moly it reads 55 degrees on my thermometer and it is 12:10pm...I think I'm playing halfsies with the rest of the nation in terms of weather. I'm trying to find the bright side of this (pun intended). One is that I get to wear my favorite pink jacket. The other is that we don't have AC so the weather is my AC. The third is, that I'm getting my money's worth on my Vitamin D pills. I know that I'll be wishing for this weather when I'm in Vietnam and Cambodia so for now, I'll just "be" with this weather and know that it is a gift of sorts.

Gratitude X 10

1. Enjoying a few good weather days
2. Dining with friends at the lake even though it was chilly
3. Learning new vocabulary words "June-uary" which is our local weather pattern
4. Riding on a big boat with friends who own said boat
5. Dancing kids in the big city (see vid)
6. Meeting a new friend to learn more about Vietnam and Cambodia (our anniversary destination)
7. Having a Neapolitan Pizza Margherita at Tutta Bella
8. Sleeping in
9. Watching Edward Scissorhands with the kids(my daughter says she likes creepy movies - I'm scared)
10. Enjoying aimless summer days!

Oh yeah!

I've been an absentee blogger and I have excuses. The WEATHER! We've had a spell (and a pretty long one at that) of yuck weather and the last few days have shifted, so priority #1 has been to enjoy the heck out of it just in case it is the last. We are on day three of niceness so perhaps its a keeper...but just in case, today will be another fun-filled day with the kids. Living in the moment is really cool if you ask me!

Gratitude X 10

1. Father of my children
2. Liking family adventures
3. Including Camping
4. With Nature Hikes
5. and Ball Tosses
6. Then windstorm fun
7. and hunkering down
8. My wise husband
9. Knowing when to fold 'em and drive home
10. for a GOOD Night's SLEEP (instead of an incessant tent flapping one - Auntie Em style).

A camping we will go...`

My husband assures me we have everything we need for our camping trip, but I keep asking. Last year he said yes when I asked, and we did NOT have everything. So, camping trust has to be re-earned. He also assures me that the 55 degree weather we have right now, will NOT be what we have when we're camping...again, trust will have to be earned there too. I actually adore camping (2 nights max), but I have needs and desires....like a pillow for my head and warmth. I'll let you have a peek at my husband's performance appraisal when we're back. Until then, watch for news at 5 just in case!

Uh-oh

Here is what has already happened on our first day of summer vaca:

• I had to go to my happy place in my mind because of kid quibbling that I didn't want/need to engage in.


• I had to request that my daughter NOT push her brother's buttons for our first day off


• I had to tell my daughter - "if you say your bored AGAIN, I'll give you something to do that will make you rethink saying that ever again (give me some hints please)"


• I had to wipe tears from my son's face because my daughter "accidentally" pushed him off the piano bench


• I had to clean up 3 separate "messes" around the house trying to maintain order


• I was asked to "play outside" with my kids when I really don't want to be the distraction of choice this summer.


• I've had to tell my kids to use their imagination INSTEAD OF turning on the TV OR playing on the computer.

Holy Ca-Moly it is a rough start to the summer...oh yeah and MR. SUN is playing hide and seek today...and we cannot find him! Excuse me while I go to that "happy place in my mind" again (for the umpteenth time today)!

Matriculation

Today I become the mother of a 3rd and 5th grader. How did THAT happen?

Can't help but love

My son arrived home off the bus and announced with bravado and a smile:

"Your day just got better"

...how can I not believe that at least in that very moment because he sure did. That is called an infectious attitude! We need more of that in this world.

Amped

I'll say more later...but...I've been at a 3 day conference that has got me in a new zone. In fact, I was often OUT of my comfort zone and that was a good thing. I'm feelin' the love and looking forward to spreading it too! So WATCH OUT!

Alrighty then...

I've been a little remiss in posting. One day I plain forgot, and yesterday I was busy....so there!

I have had a life lesson this past week. Its called mortality of our parents. I sat by and supported my friend as she waiting for the news of her mother-in-law's passing. My job as friend was to be there and that is all I could do. I wiped my slate clean as much as possible to be a distraction, to help with kid management etc. What I learned is that we all want to DO SOMETHING...and sometimes there is nothing to do...but that is when you just sit with a friend and be. Sometimes you're there to console, sometimes counsel, sometimes commiserate but all is meant to just "be" with that friend. It is hard for us "go getter" mom's to need or ask for help...but for us friends who are on the sidelines, we want to help...so its a funny little dance of both "kinda" needing something out of the scenario.

So my life lessons are:

• Having a parent pass is no fun.


• Wanting to help is natural and feels as if the other person is giving the gift of allowing versus us of giving the gift of help.


• When there is nothing you can do...being available is the doing.

When it is all said and done...it is no fun...and that is the mystery of life...it still goes on and eventually we get used to the loss...but until that time, compassion and love is our gift to our friends and family.

GO CALL SOMEONE YOU LOVE - RIGHT NOW!!!!

Gratitude X 10

1. Being a friend
2. Enjoying the sun
3. Hugging my kids
4. Reading a book
5. Connecting with women
6. Rejoicing my nieces
7. Loving my husband
8. Writing my blog
9. Being a guide
10. Believing in myself

Can I hear an AMEN

The sky is blue

Not a cloud in the sky

The weather here

Has not been dry

It may not last

This blue sky I see

So today is the day to enjoy with glee.

I'm taking my Longfellow's out for a walk today!

Gain and Loss

Yesterday, I gained a niece who is a High School grad.

Today, I gained a friend who is losing his mom to a massive stroke.

These are the days that you can see the cycle of life in full boar...essentially the beginning of a young-adult life and then a loss of a mature-adult life...that is a cycle for you. I send blessings to both of these people, they both could use them.

And so it goes....

Bring it

I'm in a space where I'm testing my limits, trying to put my big girl panties on, and starting to be clear about my boundaries. Its nothing to be concerned about Mom.

I'm feeling out of my comfort zone and it's a good thing! My courage today is meaty and it's all good! My anchor for myself in all of my endeavors that take courage are:

I love what I do
I am of service to others
I am worth it
I am safe
The Universe supports me!

Bring it!!!!

Play time

Yesterday I was cornered by my children.

Somehow I was wrangled into being Ma from A Little House on the Prairie.

We did chores, we made porridge, we had a wagon ride, we went to market in town....

I decided that maybe next Ma could get some bad illness and need to go to bed (aka mommy wanted a break and possibly a nap)...

Somehow Laura and Joe (the orphan boy) weren't too keen on that plan and curiously we ended up having a tea party at Aunt Lulu's and a Christmas celebration with "sugar cane" and homemade gifts.

I love that my kids are using their imagination, I love to witness it in action, however I'm not always so interested in being an integral part of it myself. I often WISH I were more enthused but it just isn't my cup-o-tea.

I should get the "good Mommy" award for yesterday's "sucking it up and doing it" category....AND I think I should get a special award for creativity. Don't you think Ma being struck down with the plague is a brilliant ploy to extricate myself from the story? I think so too!