O Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Little pleasures. Being tied up by your big brother. It only took 20 minutes to get out of the bind.

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

http://www.blogthings.com/whateuropeancitydoyoubelonginquiz/">What European City Do You Belong In?

paraskevidekatriaphobia

Love Story

...I Don't Know

Jeeze – a languid week gone bye. All I remember is haze, heat, perpetual dishes and laundry; a son with a high fever, another with a hacking - should be quarantined - kind of cough; a windshield with a gigantic crack through the center following a car wash; attention to detail utterly lost; and a varmint eating my apricots.

Calgon, take me away!

Teaching Values

Can' Let Go

When I said goodnight to Jason a few minutes ago, he held on to my arm and I had to claw and fight my way out of his hands.

Woman in orange coat and shoes.
Man in pink shirt and fatigue shorts.
Lady in artsy flowing blouse and hair out of place.
Wanna be stud men police officers in dark sun glasses.
Security officer with keys to the restroom. (my favorite)

When I told Jason that I would be people watching with Wicked in Santa Fe, he . . .

W is for wimp

Last week I told the personal trainer assigned to me at our fitness club that I wanted to work on my "core" and my "butt".

Core Strength
The term core comes up often in the health club. What is your core and what does it do? Your core consists of the muscles in your trunk such as your transverse abdominis, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdoninis, and erector spinae to name a few. Together these muscles act to stabilize the spine, protect it from injury, and maintain proper posture. Adequate core strength is essential for preventing and alleviating low back pain as well as preventing injuries in all aspects of life.

Today the very young buffed, pumped, athletic male trainer unveiled the plan he carefully and thoughtfully devised for me. Today I discovered that even though I excersice 4-5 times a week, I have no core and no butt!! So, I want to quit. Because in order to have core strength and gluteus muscles that aren't rubbery, you have to hurt. Hurt a lot and Hurt regularly. Not my idea of fun.

Every Summer

I

It's All About Him

15 Years Old!
What a great day! My only problem has been to keep my hands to myself. I just wanted to touch him, poke him, hug him. When he asked why, I said because it's my job to annoy 15 year olds. He's my guy - that's what I call him. He's so smart, big talent, big heart, and big shoes to fill! I love him so and have no words that adequately express it.

Why Volunteer?

This was the question presented to me by my twelve-almost-thirteen-year-old-son. It’s summertime. Time to slow down, relax, play, do nothing, and do volunteer work because my mom said so. Why volunteer? Because it is important to break out of the small mold of your life and participate in your community. Because you have time, a good brain, a healthy strong body, a good sense of humor, and for the most part a good sense of adventure. When you volunteer you give without the requirement for return. You give simply to help, to make a difference in the world. And each time you leave the house to “make a difference in the world,” you will come back with something that made an impression, maybe a new idea, a memorable interaction, a lesson learned; something that will make a difference in who you become.

Volunteer because you will be challenged, feel proud, and most likely have fun. And because your mom said so.

Dream Come True

And I'm the happiest sister in the world!

They are as nice as they are gorgeous!

Losing it!

BTW dizzy doesn't want to be on any favorites list. : \
I want to stay way way way behind the curve . . .

Life Story

In this moment my kids are the main characters. They are entry level teenagers, so needy, so emotional, so confused, and so interesting to observe. They provide all the drama I could ever imagine. All in one day I am excited, griped with anticipation, worried sick, and gratefully content. It is an amazing ride.

Memorial Day

A train went through a burial gate,
A bird broke forth and sang,
And trilled, and quivered, and shook his throat
Till all the churchyard rang;
And then adjusted his little notes,
And bowed and sang again.
Doubtless, he thought it meet of him
To say good-by to men.

—Emily Dickinson,