Old Friend, You are Missed
Hubby had his annual business trip to the valley, so we tagged along.School's out for the summer and a change of scenery is always nice.
Plus I promised a hotel pool and a fancy shopping mall, always a plus.
I recently got a change of address card from my oldest and bestest friend from first grade.
She moved back to the CA valley after being away for 15 years.
I shot her an email and she was going to be around, perfect!
When I pulled into the driveway of her house, I saw her and my insides did a happy dance.
She was in tears of happiness.
It has been 10 years since our last quick visit. Her oldest and my middle were just babies.
She looked fabulous, as usual, she was always the hot one.
All the time that had come between us dissolved.
We caught up, we shared about the kids, typical mom stuff.
We talked about our parents, mine were with me, and it was like old times.
Yet, everything was different and so the same.
We promised to see eachother at a local wine event in the fall.
We left on more tears, hers.
I miss her already.
We grew up together, even lived together in college, were in eachother's weddings.
Life is so different now.
But we are only 3 hours apart.
That's doable.
I hope.
I didn't shed a tear on the visit.
My feelings process later, when I try to understand them.
I cry now for the happy memories, and the friendship I've missed.
And for wanting more but knowing it doesn't always work that way.
Keeping Busy
Just coming off a 4 day girl's getaway, we're on the road again.Going to the Happiest Place on Earth.
No, not Chuck E. Cheese.
No, not Target on the day after Christmas.
Disneyland.
It's something to get my mind off missing my best girlfriends.
Having spent a long weekend with my sistas that have since moved about the country, originally from my home town, it's usually hard to say goodbye.
Especially when the Y& T concert and NetiPot were a few of our highlights of the weekend.
((Inside Joke))
You'd be surprised how crazy 5 moms can get.
It had been a long 18 months since we'd last seen eachother, normally it's only 12, but with 13 children between us, life gets in the way.
Good thing we'll be back together this fall, I can't see enough of these ladies, who I always wish lived next door.
Not like that pit bull who really does live next door.
Dogs scare me.
Anywho.
Disney. Happiest Place.
K is going to FLIP OUT when she realizes that Rapunzel graces the theme park now, the newest princess has a meet and greet event and personally I'm excited too.
I know if there's a karaoke machine nearby, I will be belting out "Mother Knows Best" because god only knows that I know all the words to every song on the Tangled soundtrack.
That we listen to about 52 times a day in the car.
Every day of the week.
So Disney tomorrow.
California Adventure tomorrow.
2 parks, one day.
Universal Studios Thursday.
Distracted.
With constant activity.
I think I'll be sleeping Friday through April to recover.
Of Friendship and Smiles with Teeth
This year my annual girlfriends weekend was put on hold.On hold to 2011, February.
It was heartbreaking.
For six years, some of my best friends that have since moved from my town have gotten together for a long weekend.
We talk, we eat, we knit, laugh, craft, read, cry (happy tears), and just spend quality time together.
This year as in years past, our lives have gotten in the way.
It’s bound to happen, between the 5 of us we have 13 children.
Each of those kids have activities, sports, events that us moms must attend.
Not to mention other things like finances, childcare, and school.
I need my friend fix!
My friends are that special piece in my heart puzzle that make my heart full and lively.
They make me feel all girly and giddy.
And make me smile. Big with teeth.
And remind me to stick my chin out and pictures.
I was lucky enough to spend last weekend with one of them and her family.
Love ya Moll!
It’s great, my hubby and hers love to mountain bike, the kids get along famously, and it was a great time.
Our girls roller-skated for the first time, little E tore her pants!
My Boy started his own website thanks to pal Bry!
We enjoyed great meals and afternoon mimosas and hibiscus The painful part is always saying goodbye. Just when it feels so good, so familiar, so special, we part ways.
I miss my girls, looking forward to our February trip. Let’s not skip another year EVER again!
Heaven Has a New Angel
I've been feeling so sad for the past few days.A classmate of My Boy's passed away Friday.
He was only 9.
He was also a cousin of a boy on our baseball team.
He had asthma, a serious attack is what took him.
My heart aches.
It isn't fair, he was just a little boy.
He was just in our car playing with K on a cold day during baseball practice.
A sweetheart with a big smile.
My Boy has bouts of asthma when he gets sick and during allergy season. The "puffer" is in our medicine cabinet arsenal.
Last night I woke up with my heart racing. I heard My Boy coughing. I panicked. Considering what happened, I rushed to see if he was okay. He coughed like once but my mom radar immediately feared.
I can't imagine the pain the family is feeling. Unfortunately this isn't their first time with family tragedy.
I've called our friends and offered our condolences, meals, our love, and any help that they need during this tough time.
We will attend the funeral at the end of the week.
For a nine year old.
Taken too soon.
No one should ever have to do this.
Lemonade? Lemon Drop? Limoncello?
This is a flippin' ginormous lemon from my friend's tree.It's bigger than K's head.
What shall I do with it?
When a friend gives you freakishly large lemons....make....?
If I Could Bottle the Scent, I Would!
On our way back from Disneyland, we stopped in Ventura county and visited my friend Ranch Girl!She's one of my close friends who picked up and moved on from my little town and I miss her terribly.
She and her family live on 10 acres of Navel and Valencia oranges now, and it's so beautiful and serene.
The sweet scent of orange blossoms made me drunk with happiness as we strolled through their orchard.
The boys jumped into a nearby tree and picked some fabulous globes for us to enjoy and to take home. Let me tell you, they are the JUICIEST things I've ever tasted, wow.
Ranch Girl took this photo herself and had it made into the most beautiful tile backsplash a stove could have!
Before we continued our journey home, my lovely hostess squeezed about a dozen oranges to make us all some juice. K got the special cup!
Although it was a short trip, the time spent visiting was so nice. I can still smell those blossoms on that warm windy day.
Miss you!!
The Windy City
I miss Chicago.
Although I was there for only 36 short hours, I fell in love.
The food was incredible. How can I eat another regular pizza again?
I'm sure you've never had a Hoovertini.
Good news is, I survived.
The trip was such a great success.
Internet Media, read my badge.
I had photography rights that only few others had. I felt a sense of power, I admit.
I got *~~~* that close to Paula Deen. The Queen of
I met other women, mothers, bloggers that were beautiful inside and out.
And...I only broke out once. It was with Holly, dang it, at the end of the last hour of my trip. Luckily I had a spare antihistamine and didn't have to bring out a bandaid and lie about some shaving accident. By my eye.
Anyway.
Lucky for me, I met some great new friends, Mari and Rich.
They were generous enough to give me a tour of the city, bring me Chicago pizza, Garrett's popcorn, and offer an appreciation of the city I had come to visit.
96 floors off the ground is the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Building.
Literally in the clouds, the view is stunning.
At the International Home and Housewares show, I cleaned up a little Gatorade spill with the Hoover FloorMate. Then washed and dried the floor. With the same machine. Which was awesome.
Honey, I promise to do this at home too.
I got the blues...
in a good way of course!
...did I mention the Hoovertinis (with Lee, Jessi, and Ruth)?
....more to come....
Duh Nuh Nuh Na Nuh Nuh, They Say it's My Birthday...
It's been a whirlwind week.We celebrated K's birthday for four days including the party, her fun day at preschool, her special day at dance, and the evening of her actual day.
She chose McDonald's for her birthday meal and was okay we didn't let her play in
Then over the weekend, yours truly said hello to my 37th year.
Remember that wine tasting/limo plan. Well I put it into action.
I invited a few friends that are in the +4 hours away in distance by car category and the pessimist I am thought, they probably can't make it, but to my utter delight they were able to!
9 of us total and this little gem came and picked us up.
Am I so old to just have expected a black stretch sedan.
4 wineries...averaging 6 tastings at each spot.
Good friends, great wine. Bliss.
Thank you to my friends for coming to share my special day!
So sometimes you break out these great heeled boots and then regret wearing them for more than 20 minutes.
Some wineries have just the best decor.
Photo opps galore.
You have to stop for snacks! YUM!!
And, to take in the scenery.
Thanks to my friends for making my special day just incredible. Your presence, your gift, your love, means so much to me.
Thanks so much to Yaya and Papa for hanging with the kids so we could enjoy an adult's day out!
I had the best birthday! ♥
My Baby Girl is Four. (A Thousand Words Thursday)
My sweet little K was born.
She's growing into a fine young girl.
Her K-lish, becoming more and more articulate.
Her demeanor more her own.
She is playful as a kitten.
And can hold her own against anyone.
She has a heart of gold.
Over the weekend, we prayed for sunshine, and we were blessed with it.
A birthday party wild and fun.
With family and friends.
Memories and wishes were made.
Pinatas broken.
And, Today, K turns four.
Happy Birthday sweetheart.
You're not a baby anymore.
Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read and grab my button from HERE. Then write in your name and the URL(permalink) in the new Simply Linked below.
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Hope Your Hubby Brings Your Coat to the Airport!
Took a trip today to visit one of my oldest friends.We've been pals since 5th grade, 25 years!!
Currently we've been 2 hours apart in distance, nothing when you think she'll now be 6 hours away by plane.
Missouri.
I'm so geographically challenged I had to look for it on the map to find it smack dab in the middle of the US.
It's 14 degrees there right now we concluded....and she packed her coat on the moving truck that left town with her Hubby last week.
Rut.roh.
She's been a California girl like I have her whole life. She's kinda in the "holy hell, what am I doing moving to the land of frigid winters, humid summers, fenceless backyards, and strangers?!"
On the way home I began my panic attack...a sympathy one for her.
She gets to fly out Tuesday with 3 kids in tow (one being a wiggly 2 year old) and super-extreme security, 2 hour layovers, and no Xanax.
I also took one of those for her.
Not to mention K screamed the whole way home at the top of her lungs, "I want to play DQ's Nintendo DS!"
Needless to say she fell into a tantrum-nap and my ears are still ringing a bit.
SIGH.
My heart hurts.
I know of late we'd only been a phone call away...., and we still will be, but Missouri isn't just a weekend jaunt.
Sometimes you think 2 hours by car is far, I am now regretting not getting together much, much more.
I remember 5th grade. It was those days when tweens could stay home alone for hours while their parents worked and it was no big whoop.
We didn't get into too much trouble then. Just spent hours watching MTV, crank calling "friends," and being silly.
Now we both have kids, and commitments that have to take us in the direction best for our families...hopefully not pulling us apart.
We've already planned to get to an Oprah show...ChiTown only being a 3 hour drive from her place.
And...get over to visit my friend G in Indy...where I just learned is nearly as close as Oprah (NOT a geography major i'm telling you).
So until my plane ticket is bought and we can head to the ...er..midwest...plan a trip to the Arch and a Cardinals' game, I wish you the best, friend.
Love ya, and good luck!
I Have Four Hands This Week!
So it's awesome this week...Hubby is home with us.He gets x amount of vacation hours and saves about 5 days or so to close out the year.
It's fabulous.
We don't have huge plans or anything, just doing the same old thing but with an extra pair of hands.
Well there's the sleeping in for him, which is lovely I presume, he's not a morning person at all.
Then there's the puttering around, the little fix-it jobs here and there, and playing in his favorite room, the garage.
He loves that stuff. Just hanging around.
I often like to get away during these times. I'm always home.
But, we do compromise and go bowling, for scenic drives, or other out-of-the-house things that are inexpensive but fun.
Lots of game-playing has been happening, and one of my favorites this week so far, the midday barbecue!
His famous tri-tip, salad and chili beans. At 2pm. So cool.
Fabulous family time.
What never changes is the kid chaos.
The noise level is still high. The kids still struggle to be in eachother's space all day long, but Hubby is here all day to live it as I have these past 11 years.
I hope he appreciates my sacrifice.
I was just chatting on the phone with a friend. She too has been home with her kids more than she's worked outside the home.
It's not for everyone.
It's hard work.
Rewarding?! Hell yeah, but still can do weird things to your mind, your soul, your mojo.
Luckily I have a strong group of friends, that like me, can get out once in a while for a GNO (girl's night out).
A re-grouping of sorts, a reminder that not only are we moms, but we are women that have other interests and also like to have fun.
Tonight's one of those nights.
One friend suggests it, I get on the horn with the next gal, we make it happen.
Sitters are called, dinner reservations made (well in a sense)...and we do it.
Often when I'm chatting with a girlfriend, one of us says, "When can I pick you up..?" and the other belts out, "NOW is good!" even if it is hours away.
Joking?! Yes, but no.
Let's just say we're always ready to go at the drop of the hat to get to our night's out.
I don't get away without mom-guilt though.
My oldest and youngest like to literally pull on me as I'm walking out the door with their, "please don't leave we'll miss you!" drama.
If I could only get them to understand...
Mommy will be a better mommy if you let me go.
I will be, promise.
Now get off my leg!
Slumber(less) Party
So my oldest turned eleven and talked me into a slumber party.I've been promising my hubby for years now that we're going to tone down the birthday parties.
I love a good jumpy house, pinata, huge crowd type of kid's party.
That's what i'm good at.
Adult parties, forget about it...no clue what to do.
So this year we had 8 tweens for a sleepover and they are not the jumpy house, pinata type.
Pre-teens for goodness sake...they want music, food (OH they can EAT!), random items...i'll get back to that.
So my daughter gives me little on the "plan" and I don't work well without one. I'm completely freaked out that she'll have girls here for 21 hours and not a real plan. Yikes.
So the start time of the party is 1pm and end time is 10am the next day.
Girls start showing up at the door with sleeping bags, pillows, makeup, iPods and phones that are much much cooler than my own. sigh.
The running around, giggling, texting, iTunes, and chit-chat begins.
Luckily there was one planned event, t-shirt design. Cool.
By 3pm, the girls had done EVERYTHING my daughter had envisioned. PANIC. For me at least, they were fine with it.
I put in my earphones with my MP3 player so I could tune out and not eavesdrop. Not that I want to, but hearing less is more, trust me.
Dancing begins, singing, eating...more and more eating. I must have popped 6 bags of popcorn! Soda, a treat for the kids, went down quickly, cupcakes, gum, a dentist's nightmare of cavity-inducing party snacks.
Soon I hear a plan for "hide and seek at Target" and teams are being made up. Um...WHAT?! I do have to step in and be a mom and say, "sorry, but getting kicked out of Target isn't cool" and so they settle for shopping.
We get there and spend 45 minutes shopping for orange Crush, fake nails, and makeup.
The Dollar Store is next and we leave there with pedicure sets, nail polish, and silly string.
Pizza parlor and more soda and the girls are literally jumping off the chairs.
This may have been the time to send them all home, but alas they all came back to my house and bounced off those walls.
Makeovers and mani/pedis were happening and even a few girls came out of the bathroom with faces covered completely with blue and black makeup. Wow.
I flashed back to my eleventh year and thought that things sometimes never change.
More music, more food, Tiger Beat magazine, giggles and happiness filled the air.
Girls heading to bed at 2, 3, and 4am only to awaken at 8am for morning makeovers and pancakes!
"What was everyone doing at 3am?" I asked DQ....Eating...and talking. But of course.
Let me tell out of all 23 kid's birthday parties i've thrown for my 3 kids, this was byfar the easiest for me.
The girls had an incredible time and I was impressed how it stayed so drama free and I had nothing to stress about.
Oh and my 3 year old...wants a slumber party for all her classmates at preschool.
Twelve 3 year olds for a sleepover...hah...I draw the line right there. Not gonna happen!
Passionate with a Touch of Delusional
This is right before we dug our toes in the sand at the Shorline Cafe for 4 hours...
Do you know that I still smile and giggle when I think of the beer Hefeweizen?
Total inside joke...but I'll fill you in.
Molly and I were in this restaurant waiting for the rest of the crew to join us.
I suddenly hear Molly mutter the words Hefeweizen.
Not being up on my beers, I immediately think, God Bless You, she must have sneezed.
Then I thought, is she speaking German to a Mexican waiter in an Italian restaurant!?
I do a double take and say, "hey Mol, what-up with the whole Farfegnugen ?"
Ah...something to joke about the rest of the weekend.
If I had to come up with a word that describes each of the five of us...I would use PASSION.
The kind where you have passionate feelings for something, whether it be your family, your craft, your friends, your morals, your faith, your dreams.
We also joked that all the stories we made up along the weekend, we could add "DELUSIONAL" as another common trait.
I don't know about you, but I think we're just fine.
Coming Down from the High
R & R was amazing.And why does time fly SO QUICKLY when you are relaxing on vacation!?
Back to reality today as my poor Hubby found out his 2 week-long cough developed into pneumonia in his left lung.
Schneikes! This is by far our worst health-season in a LONG time.
Hopefully his meds will kick in quick.
But, I am really feeling the letdown of our weekend.
That feeling of complete elation followed by realizing that you can't spend 4 hours at the beachfront cafe this afternoon.
....or stay in your jammies sipping coffee all day with your best friends.
....or enjoy an appetizer, bread, entree, dessert, wine, and then See's Candy all in a matter of 2 hours.
....or know that you will not be together in this capacity for another 365-ish days.
Hurts a little in the heart area.
I haven't laughed like that in a long time.
I haven't smiled that much in 72 hours.
I haven't relaxed that much in a long time.
It hurts that the people that you feel the absolute closest to next to your spouse are in 4 different directions.
Being together once a year is clearly not enough.
I'm feeling pouty and a little kicky and want to tantrum, "it's not fair."
*Sigh*
Celebrity Stalking.
Enjoying my Girl's Weekend in beautiful Santa Barbara.Good food, good friends, celebrity sightings!!
Yeah, so walking down State Street yesterday I glance across the street and see this gorgeous woman.
So I stare a bit and notice her husband and kids look familiar.
And, by familiar, I mean I've seen them in People Magazine and Us Weekly!
"OMG, it's Cindy Crawford!" I scream like a tween who's just seen the Jonas Brothers.
My girlfriends and I pick up and speed-walk down to the corner to cross the street.
We follow the gorgeous family down past shops and just ogle at how Cindy looks just as stunning and beautiful as in her photos.
Not wanting to be too stalker-like, we notice they stop and glance in a shop and we pass.
Then being very-stalker/paparazzi-like we pretend we're taking a group photo, though my girlfriend Gayle zooms past and gets a fab shot of Cindy, mole and all.
We joked that we were going to go up to her and ask her if she could take OUR picture and feign we had no idea who she was, but we couldn't.
All credit for these photos goes to Gayle !
Today, we're going to head down to the beach and possibly catch maybe Oprah and Steadman walking in the sand!
Who's Hungry?! (MckLinky Blog Hop)
Hey, who wants some delicious recipes?!Who could use to spice up their kitchen with some fabulous new meals?!
Um, me!
So I'm reposting this recipe, that I swear I've talked about a hundred times.
But then, check out the linky attached, it's got a ton more fabulous eats!
Seriously, I'm drooling!
Hubby and I love this recipe from my pal Mrs4444's lovely family cookbook....altered only slightly.
Bonus--it's super easy to make!
My Blog Friend's Chili
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
22 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning (dry)
1 pkg ranch dressing mix (dry)
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 sm. can of chopped green chiles
**Fry up beef or turkey until brown. Put all ingredients into a crockpot on low for about 2-4 hours. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and use tortilla chips to scoop!
Guess what we're having tonight!!
Yes, and we have it about 3 times a month, no lie.
Enjoy!
The Umbrella in my Wine
Friends, they're so wonderful.We got the chance to stay a few nights with our friends Molly and Bill prior to our main vacation.
We only get to see them about once or twice a year.
It's not enough.
They used to live with their family in our town, but moved.
Their kids are 13, 10, and 8. Mine are 10, 8, and 3.
The kids got along wonderfully and for a moment I thought, I could have 6 kids no problem!
Molly is a wonderful, hospitable, super-chef of a hostess.
Her hubby a great mountain bike partner for my hubby!
Their beautiful home was filled with fun, laughter, and special memories.
Once or twice a year is not enough.
Friends mean so much.
I still am thinking about them and the fun we had in that short time.
My friend put a paper umbrella stuck to a blueberry in my bubbly.
That was special.
It's that little extra touch that said, you mean something to me.
It may sound silly, but it's true.
YOU Design the Necklace Contest
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.
If you don't know Kristen from Kristen's Custom Creations, you must meet her!
She is a beautiful woman inside and out, she has a darling son, and she makes the most incredible jewelry around! I own a beautiful piece of her work, and have purchased many necklaces for family and friends. Check them out!
Everytime she introduces new pieces, it astounds me, her talent is limitless!
In a tribute to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and friends, Kristen has teamed up with me to offer an amazing giveaway at my review site, Therapeutic.
Head over to Therapeutic and enter the You Design the Necklace Contest and Giveaway. The winning fabulous idea will be created by Kristen and awarded to the designer as a Mother's Day gift!!
Do you feel creative?! Would you love to see your work translated into art? Walk...no...RUN over and enter...there are up to 10 possible chances to win!
Good Luck!
