3 simple Rules

I have learned that there are really only three rules to live by.

 

1) Believe nothing you hear

People are gonna talk... and half of what they say is all bullshit.. so ignore it!

2) Believe only half of what you see

Things may not always be what they seem. So dont jump to conclusions. Before you fly off the handle, GET THE FACTS.

and, most importantly,

3) Remind yourself it's really none of your business anyway!

I cant believe that at this age I am still dealing with this crap.. people talking.. rumors spreading.. I really would have thought this would have all ended in High School.. but nope, still going. Does it ever really end? At what age do we finally become grown ups?

Titanic

Some days you’re the Titanic - some days you’re the iceberg - and some days you’re the guy who jumped off and hit a propeller on the way down.

 

Lately, I have had alot of those "propeller" days. I dont know what exactly is going on but I just cant seem to get it together. I actually do feel like that sinking ship... sitting here wondering if I should curl up with a drink and go down with it, or jump off and pray I dont hit that propeller.. of course, there is always that whole freezing-in-the-ocean thing to worry about.. and sharks.

New Year, New Me, New Site...

I've given myself until the first of Jan to get my shit in order... that includes transferring all of my old posts to this site.. so prepare for post overload.. I have three days...

When was the LAST time you did something for the FIRST time?

I cant even remember! UNTIL NOW!

I was FINALLY able to check something off of the old Bucket List! My son and I went parasailing.. and it was WONDERFUL!

 

 

 

 

 

I cant remember the last time I felt my heart beating fast, had the sweaty palms, and a tiny bit of panic. But Saturday night, I felt it ALL!

There were a few times I wanted to back out but, thank goodness, my son was with me and would have been so disappointed so I didnt..and I am so glad I DID IT!

The views were breathtaking. The quiet.. so serene.. and I couldnt have asked for a better person to experience it with.

 

originally posted July 13, 2015

Dylan's 20th Birthday

On this day, 20 years ago, I became a mother for the 2nd time. I was only 23 years old and I didnt know much, still dont, but I'd like to think I learned a thing or two over the years... things I think you should know.

*Do SOME dumb stuff (but not alot) - it's not really worth it if you cant look back on it and have a few stories to tell
*Reach outside of your comfort z...one every chance you get
*There's no such thing as "cant" - you CAN do anything.
*Life is all about you handle Plan B, and C, and D...
*Honor others and you honor yourself.
*No one likes a know it all, be open to new ideas and always, always LISTEN.
*Be smart - real men fight with their words and their brains, not their fists.
*Live with Integrity, Honesty, and Kindess
Most importantly, live your life with Passion and Purpose - to do anything less is to sacrice your gift.

Happy Birthday, Dylan! Mom and Dad love you to the moon and back!

Oh! One other thing you should know, remember when I told you one day I would let you go.. I lied! I will ALWAYS be right there beside you!

originally posted Nov 30, 2015

Klari's 16th Birthday

Klari,
Where did the years go? It seems like just yesterday your dad and I were waiting to meet you; Anxious to know what you looked like, whose eyes you would have… We had so many questions.
Now here we are, on the eve of your sixteenth birthday... In two short years you’ll be packing your bags for college, work, or wherever God has you going next. You’ll be voting and driving. Thinking about adult topics like careers and marriage.
But before that happens, I’d like to pass ...on a few thoughts:
1. Don’t Neglect Your Most Important Relationship
I’m not talking about your relationship with me, or your relationship with your dad. Not even the relationship you’ll have with your future husband. I’m talking about your relationship with God. Always make time for Him.
Life won’t be perfect, but with HIM you will have all the wisdom, assurance, and comfort you need.
2. Try Your Best and Don’t Worry About the Rest.
You do not have to be perfect. None of us are perfect. You just continue putting out the effort and Trust God for the results.
3. Education Doesn’t End at 18 {or 22}
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but learning is a lifelong process. I’m WAY older than you and I still learn something new every day. Whatever you do, don't ever stop learning.. about the little things and about yourself.
4. Risky Business is OK {Within Reason}
Risks. I know you hate them. I don’t think it’s so much the risk that is scary but the fear of failure. Most people are wrong about failure, though. Failure is not bad. It is merely a chance to learn from our mistakes (see point #3).
5. You Are a "Masterpiece".
I love that word. You are God’s masterpiece…a beautiful work of art. Treasured by me and by your dad and everyone who knows and loves you.

I know you have exciting times ahead! Life is never boring when you live it with your whole heart.... Happy Sweet 16!
Love, mom and dad..

originally posted Dec 3, 2014

Tattoos and Piercings

So my son, Mr. Typical Teen, decides he wants to be a rebel and not only get his ears pierced, but get a tattoo, as well. While, I am not a "proponent" of tattoos, I, myself, have a few so who am I to tell him no - other than his mother.. and the person paying for it -  but I went ahead and made the appointment. Seeing my baby in pain is no fun but, I must say, it was certainly a moment we will never forget. And I am so happy he allowed me to be a part of it.

originally posted on Sept, 2015..

Washington D.C/Virginia - Nov 1, 2015

I now know what FALL looks like.

 

It's reds and oranges and yellows.. and it makes you believe that all is right with the world.

Our first day in was rainy.. miserably rainy.. but that didnt stop us from taking in a few of the sights in Herndon's City Center. A nice dinner, a quick trip to CVS and we were done for the day.

The next morning actually involved work. The second we were done we were outta there and on to DC.

First stop, the Jefferson Memorial. The stairs to get there were as grand as the statue of him in the giant rotunda. A few minutes to take some pics and we were off.

 

 

The Holocaust Museum was a place I didnt know I HAD to go to... You really dont know the significance of a place or an event in history until you have been here. The place is somber, at best, but you HAVE to go here at least once. I promise you will leave with a different sense of where we have come from and where you want to go.

Since I left the Holocaust Museum, the quote below has become my favorite.. "First the came for the socialist, and I did not speak out- because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionist, and I did not speak out- because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me. "

The exhibit below probably resonated with me the most.. the smell of the leather was so strong.. I could almost feel myself there.. I left there a very different person..

 Of course, no trip to DC is complete without a visit to the Smithsonian. I had been to the Art Museum before and decided to visit the Air and Space portion this time.. a portion of history that cannot be missed!

In all the hustle and bustle and running around I spend alot of time complaining about how tired I am  I rarely look outside my window, and then I do...

San Francisco, Ca - NAPA Valley

San Francisco is an AMAZING place. The weather is wonderful and the scenery couldn't be more picturesque.

We began our travels on Thursday, Oct 15th and spent an entire day on a plane or sitting in an airport. The time change certainly took a toll on us so we decided to grab a quick dinner and rest up for the other 5 days we had left.

 

Friday was off to a late start as there was actual work to do but once we finished, we were off and were in all out tourist mode (selfie stick included).

 

We started by a walk through Little Italy where we stumbled upon a majestic looking church. There was something so enchanting about it we just had to go in. And I am so glad we did! Although somewhat "simple" on the inside, the stained glass windows were breathtaking. I was able to sit in silence for a moment and take it all in. It was wonderful! I lit a candle, said a prayer for a safe and successful trip, thanked HIM for all of my blessings and continued on my way.

From there, we stopped at a fabulous Italian restaurant that allowed us to sit outside and take in the scenery and the sunlight. We ate, drank, and just enjoyed our surroundings.

 

After filling our bellys with authentic Italian food, we walked through China Town. We did our best to see the locals and stay away from all the touristy stuff.

A drive through Lombard Street followed by a quick stop at the Painted Ladies and we were quickly running out of steam.

But no trip to San Francisco would be complete without a walk over the Golden Gate bridge. It was, by far, the highlight of that day. The views spectacular, the company divine, and the engineering marvel will always be on my list of things you HAVE to see.

We ended the day with a stroll through the Tea Gardens and a visit to the Dutch Windmill. All in all, it was an incredible start to our trip.

Saturday was spent sipping wine (ALOT of wine) in the great city of NAPA VALLEY. I cant say enough about this beautiful city other than HIRE A DRIVER. The wine flows as freely as the wind and it's almost impossible not to drink it.

We finished up our trip by spending an entire day on Alcatraz Island. The history of the place was alot more interesting than I had anticipated. Certainly worth allocating an entire day to it.

Only word of advice: TAKE GOOD WALKING SHOES! And don't try and reach over the boat to take pictures.. you can, and will, fall off...  (true story)

My Travel Tree

I put up several trees a year but this one is, by far, my favorite... "Our Travel Tree"

 

 It hold sand from a few of the beaches we've visited...

 
 Purchased ornaments from our travels...

It contains ornaments my kids have made on our Christmas Ski trips...

And even a shattered one from a "rough night" in Vegas...

And what TRAVEL TREE would be complete without a Globe for a tree topper...

 

There is something about this tree that instantly turns me into a storyteller.. I can remember things, moments, details, smells, sounds.. This tree has also taught me that I will never be completely whole  again.. for a part of me was left behind in every single one of these places we visited..

Are you Really Happy or Just Really Comfortable?

That seems to be the question that has haunted me lately. The honest answer, I really don't know.
There are days when things are going well.. life has its usual ups and downs and throws you a curve ball every now and then but, for the most part, things are chugging along. Then something happens, comes out of nowhere, and you start to think... "is THIS really IT for me?" Is THIS the life I had planned for myself?

Obviously, my plan was never to have had three children by the age of 26. Don't get me wrong,  I don't regret any of it, on the contrary, having my kids so young has allowed me to think the way I have been. I see my friends now still struggling with finding babysitters, exhausted, and I remember that feeling,.. I would go back to that in a second if I had the chance, btw...and I love that I am free to do so much now, and I'm still young enough to enjoy it. Having my kids so young is what has led me here.. to where I am today.

For the past twenty years, my days were filled with ball games, practices, school functions, and shuttling them around. For the most part, all of that is over for me, and my kids now drive themselves... so I now have all of this extra time.. Time to think, time to contemplate, time to wonder.. so now I ask myself.. "am I really happy or am I really comfortable"?
Do I even know the difference anymore?

Healing

I have never been a religious person.. I always thought of myself as more of a spiritual person. But these days, I feel, I KNOW, that I am missing something. Things just don't ever feel quite right.

Yesterday I had to have a biopsy for a lesion they found in my breast. Of course, everything that could possibly go wrong during the procedure, went wrong. These are the times when my faith is tested.

Regardless, today I pray..