Back again and moving forward.....

Hello again, it is me, I am back again and moving forward.....It has been a whirlwind few months....you probably have no sympathy since all of us are busy as ever. Besides, it is far more fun to read others blogs instead of post on my blog...call me crazy, I have so much to say but I am not in love with the logistics of making pretty and succinct blog posts.

I also find it fitting that we are "falling" back on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Daylight savings time ends and we have to turn our clocks back 1 hour. I am using the hour a day early for this blog post and hope to post again tomorrow too.



Rome Italy (one of my fav pictures that is edited on my Mac (no graffiti) but I did not write this post on the mac...



So...you ask where have I been??? Pretty much right here....Life is busy with 3 teenagers, one of which broke her leg on Day 4 of school....what a way to start high school....falling and breaking your foot....which followed with crutches and a big Frankenstein looking boot.  She also got to use the elevator at school...which is not fun for a freshman that does not know the way around school yet(yes it happened on day 4 in the early morning.) Keep in mind too that the school has almost 3000 students so walking on crutches is a hazard in itseslf. We were told by the ER that she broke it(I did not doubt this after she told  me she actually heard her bone crack) and had a bad fracture and when I looked up this type of fracture it usually means surgery...so....I was preparing for surgery and a cast for a long  while..but when we went to the orthopedic doctor he told us she had a "lucky break" and she had the best kind of break you can have in your foot!!!!!! Fast forward 6 weeks and  she is able to finally walk without crutches and can wear "real" shoes now. So we are all moving forward...... without crutches......more later

BACK TO THE USA!!

Well, I am finally back in the US of A! Here is sneak peak of what I have been doing and where I have been.  Summer is in full swing but where oh where is that sun I love so much?  I know, I know, when it is hot we want the cold, when it is cold we want the hot, when we are tall we want to be short, when we have curly hair we want straight, etc. But the simple truth is that I am in need of seeing my friend the sun...and before the afternoon....by then it feels like night time already since I am still getting used to this time zone....

I had to have "fancy toes" even though I was going to be wearing closed toe shoes for most of the trip....They look better in person and yes they are hand painted.

She is so beautiful and an icon that I was so excited to view with my own eyes...and of course to ride up to the top...that was pretty cool.

This is at the Palace of Versailles in the Garden.  Oh wow, and what a garden it was...acres and acres of pure beauty!

Notre Dame...the detail..the workmanship....WOW

This is the inside of a Galleria(Mall).

Mona Lisa in all her glory...hubby did a great job getting this photo as there were hundreds of people all crowded around her. She is small and encased in glass.

NEXT STOP.......

Giuseppe Momo's monumental staircase near the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Can you believe I got this shot without a person on it???

To be continued.........

Almost officially summer....time for silly straws and sunglasses

We are almost officially in summer mode over here....also Father's Day and Birthday mode as well...my birthday is June 21 which is always the first day of summer and the longest daylight hours of the year...yipee!

I have been busy with getting things ready for end of school .....as in gifts for teachers and everyone else that works in the office...wow...that is a lot of gifts!!!!! I do tend to be very thoughtful  go overboard. That being said, I have to be a bit resourceful and I am creative, but not crafty!!!!!

So...I found the bargain of the century. At Michael's. I got these recipe boxes and recipe cards both for under $1.  Not each...in total!  So, I then figured I could add some olive oil, vinegar, bruschetta, whatever would fit in the box. I then put them into plain paper bags and used a metal clip to hold the recipe card with the sentiment:

You are an ingredient in my recipe for SUCCESS!  Thank you!

For her male teacher we gave him movie tickets. Note:Toy Story 3 opens Friday! We have grown up with Andy,Woody,  Jesse and the gang...Andy goes off to college in this Toy Story from what I can gather from the previews. This is fitting at my household with 3 teenagers!

Tied a little bit of ribbon which I bought by the yard for less than on the spool costs.

I also made a few more of the "You are scent-sational" lotion soaps from Bath and Body works and some sachets that also work with this theme. I got the original idea from  eighteen25 brown bag journal.

The gifts are all bagged up and ready for delivery tomorrow. 

I also have been getting things ready for a get together for Father's day this weekend. I LOVE red white and blue so I decided to go with that theme.  I am getting things together but this makes me feel like summer....red, white and blue.....

                                                                            
Here are a few pictures of my paper goods and flowers in mason jars and some things for the kids...the little ones that will be part of our celebration....silly straws and sunglasses...one can never tire of silly straws.....or the $1 sections at Michael's or Target

What do you have planned for Father's day?

devastated

I have been away from my blog for a while....I am so sad to have to say why.  One of my dearest friends son's passed away on Friday morning. I had called her to check in with her and she told me the news.I have spent a lot of time with her the past weekend.This was not expected, he was 22 years old. I follow a few blogs of ladies that have lost a child. Some lost during pregnancy, shortly after birth or in childhood. I know you can relate to my friend. It is such a new and raw loss. If you have any advice or resources I would love to have them to pass along to her or to help her in any way I can. While I have suffered loss(lost my mom 19years ago) I have not lost a child. The services are tomorrow, but I am so worried about my friend. She has not slept for days now and has eaten very little. I pray that she can stay healthy and strong for her family. She also has 3 younger boys.  This timing is not ideal(but when is a death ever ideal timing?) her next son is graduating next week. Yes, our schools do not get out for summer until middle of next week.  Many of you are probably wondering how this happened....I do not have too many details, but they think he had a drug overdose. So SO sad.  Hug your kiddies and be there for them and ask a lot of questions always...life is so precious and can be taken at any time. There are never any guarantees.

While we are talking about teenagers and some of the "worry" with teenagers, I do not believe in driving and talking on the cell or texting. I watched Oprah several months ago and also other studies and driving and cell phones for talking or texting is not a good mix, especially for newer drivers and teenagers. I have signed a contract as have my teenagers. Please think about signing this contract. It will make the roads safer for all of us....

So....I am ready for summer, ready for a change of pace, ready for the hotter weather and days by the pool and beach and with friends. Heather at Blessed Little Nest is getting us ready for summer! Thanks Heather http://www.blessedlittlenest.com/. She has guest hosts and lots of giveaways, so go visit....you'll be glad you did....

If I were better techie I would put the button for Heather's summer guide on here....anyone care to help me on that one? Thanks



Here is Oprah's link, please consider making this pledge. More soon and thanks for your support.

Tennis is the only place where love means nothing.....

I admit it....I am a tennis mom....not a soccer mom, not a baseball mom, not a basketball mom, not a hockey mom, not a dance mom(used to be). I am the mom of three teenagers all with their own sets of interests but my son has been into tennis since he was about 12.  He has made me so proud on and off the court. His sportsmanship, his ethics, his effort, his compassion and his fairness when playing. He is always prepared to give it his best effort even if he is not 100%(meaning he is ill or injured) This kid does not complain...EVER!!!! This is not the US Open or the French Open, these kids call their own lines and their own scores, and well...you know...they(his opponents) somehow seem to miss seeing where the lines are and forget what the score is and how to be a good sport whether you win or lose.

 Tennis has been sort of a rough sport for me to spectate.I love the game. However, It is a "quiet" game and well...I am not quiet especially when the aforementioned things are happening on the court. At the other sports you can yell and cheer and talk and do lots of things to get out your energies, but with tennis you must sit quietly and cheer only occasionally. And typically there are no referees calling lines...even in the national junior tournaments.



I could not be more proud of my son and his character and of course he also has a wicked serve...he is a lefty and tall....so I can brag on him as his proud tennis momma.  Win or lose he is a class act on the court and I never have to worry about him doing something that is not appropriate like yelling or throwing his  racquet if things do not go his way. So, today on the day of his varsity tennis banquet I am so proud of my son and his character, skill, team attitude and the way he lets things roll off his back....much better than his momma does. 
I made these little table decorations with useful stuff for the boys....sunscreen, chap stick with SPF, a yellow bandana for some style or to keep the sweat out of your eyes..., a tennis ball and of course some chocolate....they will be on the tables instead of flowers....these are teenage boys...and I think they turned out really cute....

And Tennis is the only place where love means nothing....In my world love means everything.....I love my tennis boy.

Love,
your tennis momma

You're beautiful

Dear servicemen and women,

You are beautiful. Thank you for your service for making USA a better place and making our freedoms continue. I know that you AND your families have sacrificed a lot. Many of us are enjoying a day off because of you. So....thank you and we appreciate you.  Thank you to all the men and women from wars and years past as well...

 Don't forget to thank our service personnel, even on a day that is not called Memorial Day. 

Here are some photos from an  exhibit to honor the fallen......very moving....

SAY WHAT????

I wanted to write about my interesting morning....started as a usual morning...send off all kids and drop off youngest at school. 


From there I usually go to Trader Joe's...love that place in the morning...coffee samples, food ideas, and not too crowded...kind of like a kid in a candy store for me!  I was in the check out line, got behind a lady that had about 6 items in her cart. I simply said "Appetizers"? to which she replied" Oh I am having a spa party and I am making a bunch of appetizers and goodies for the guests"  I replied, " what is a Spa Party?'  She said, I have several ladies coming to do stuff....massages, spray tans, non surgical face lifts, etc.  Then I replied, OH, do the people just promote what services they provide or do they actually do them there?  She said, they do them during the party. The party by the way is from 10-2...I suppose when the kids are in school. At this point, I am still wondering about this SPA party...so I ask her...are you one of the people that do one of these services...to which she replied, No! I do pleasure parties!   At this point I literally start to blush and the checker, Raphael, with a beautiful accent is speechless. He did not even get what she was talking about, but by my reaction he knew it was interesting!  At this point, she invites me to the SPA party!  It was one of those, "Only in (blank location)"  Needless to say, I am still curious about the SPA party not so much about the Pleasure Party!

So, I do not know what is worse.....the fact that ladies are getting together to make themselves supposedly more attractive at a SPA party, the fact that she invited me(do I need a apray tan and some wrinkle remedy?) or the fact that this is what happens when you ask about the appetizer contents in someone's cart when you are ME? Onto another topic......





Here is one of my recent photos I took at the arboretum. I love the way the flower looks like a firecracker! 

PUPPY(and Kitty) LOVE

TIGER

     

SADIE APPLETREE

MOJO

                                                                      COCO
                                                 May he rest in peace in doggie heaven



                                 Just wanted to post a few pix of my four legged babies....

                                            Happy to report that Sadie is almost back
                                        to her mischievous self after her chocolate binge.

CHOCOLATE

In keeping with the Chocolate loving at our house.....


My four legged gal, Sadie, seems to think she loves chocolate too! No...she did not find the cake I baked for my son, however she did find a dark chocolate bar with almonds that I had in my purse. I usually do not carry dark chocolate in my purse, I usually carry a snack or two like almonds or granola bars but never pure chocolate bar.....(got it for a little gift on Mother's day and it was still in my purse)

well, to make a long story shorter, she wound up sneaking it and I found the wrapper under my bed...along with many others(we call this spot her clubhouse) she heads there to snack on the things she finds around the house....like trash, wrappers oh and chocolate.....she and my other little four legged son "Mojo ". Thankfully he did not eat any chocolate since he is very small and a very small amount for him could prove very serious.


I arrived home after a lovely dinner at Ruby's with my kiddos to a rather hyper and jumpy dog...then I found the wrapper and we rushed to the emergency vet and she stayed over night. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs, especially small dogs that like to eat BIG quantities.  She had to get a beta blocker for her rapid heart rate, and IV fluids, etc. I picked her up today. I had to get photos of her bandage...pink and orange with a heart and her poor tummy ...they shaved it and she has a rash from the EKG monitoring.

                                                      Sadie's bandage was so cute!

                                                Best friends reunited


So much for the carpeting I was saving up for.....2 weeks ago we also had to replace our water heater....so my new carpet dreams are still dreams and now I will have to settle for some decorating projects without new flooring....

Thursday Texts

Today I got a text mid morning from my teenage son that read," Can u make a cake?"

Which I responded, "What kind?'

His response,"Choc and choc or any with choc"

A boy with good taste!  CHOCOLATE! 

The bad thing is that I have to NOT eat this cake....

so....mom made the cake, despite being tired from a LONG walk today.  It is so beautiful outside today. 

So far, only one piece has been eaten....let's hope my willpower will last until the cake is gone!

Which reminds me of a print that my friend Heather had posted on her burlap board she made.... which reads...




LET THEM EAT (graphic of cake)

 I am ordering this print from  BluLima   I love it.....it reminds me of the way my grandma used to let us eat cake whenever we wanted..her homemade cake....no matter if we ate our veggies or not!

MY HOUSE OF 143

                                                      Just felt like posting a photo of my loves.....

Bittersweet and GG(Gift Giving)

I have been wanting to create a post of some of the things I have been finding and putting together for Mother's Day and Teacher gifts as well. I would not consider myself an artist, but I am creative and able to think up some ideas, however I am not the best at executing the ideas!  I have found many ideas online from my bloggy buddies, and some of you have been so gracious to give me help with some of the techie things. I do not want to get caught up in them, but I need to know what I am doing before I can execute!

Do any of you ever think about what you are going to blog before it happens?  Do you find yourself spending way too much time reading and getting to know your bloggy friends?  And ADMIRING their pretty blogs? 

I know many of you have written about "not just wanting to be another pretty blog" and there have been many posts about how everyone has their set of troubles and problems and obstacles to overcome.  I think that these are what bonds bloggers.  Even if you are miles away, you can visually see something in a blog  and also get to know people via their blogs.  A safe way of relating???  Many of the subjects that people write about in their blogs are not always the easiest to talk about and are not the topic of conversation. And I have noticed that the blogs that are about loss or overcoming something that most consider remarkable have a lot of followers. Is this our way of relating and knowing that we can get through these things too?

I have found many bloggy friends and I seem to like those of those that are open about their obstacles and their trials and tribulations in life.

Lemon Soap and free cello bags and ribbons from Bath and Body Works

Photographs I took and made into notecards for Mother's Day

I made little tags out of cardstock and "you are scent-sational" words from my friends at eighteen25. You can also buy tags that are already pre-cut and write your own sayings. Eighteen25 are sisters with many easy gift ideas and they even have links to print up stuff like this. I used the lemon soap(you can use anything that smells good)

 

The bags ready for giving. These are a great teacher appreciation gift as well.

BITTERSWEET?  Well, today and really this whole month is kind of a tough one for me. My mother died 19 years ago today. I was 6 months pregnant with my first born. I know that having a baby to focus on was a blessing but so hard without my mother to be right my my side as I became a mother. Sunday is Mother's Day, I will be visiting my Mother's grave site as I do each year. While I am blessed to have my own children and extended family, I do not have my Mother in this physical world to celebrate with. And, how can you not constantly think of your Mother in the springtime as Mother's Day approaches? I follow a few blogs of Mother's that have lost a child.  I can only imagine how tough Mother's day is for them. Because the parent is not supposed to lose a child.  I remember how tough it was to see my grandparents when they lost my mom. After my mom died, people did not know what to say to me, so they just ignored me. When all I needed were friends at that time, I felt very alone. If this can help just one person the post is worth me getting it out in writing. It is very healthy in the grieving process to talk about the deceased and the memories with that person. I always talk about my mother to my children since they never got to meet her and also with other family members. Some are more open to these conversations, others balk at them. In life sometimes the hardest conversations are the best. I have been following a few blogs of those that have lost children, those that have lost spouses while raising their young children. Some of these widowers are men, some are women. Some are young, some are old. They share a common bond in loss and getting through each day. We all have our share of things we are going through. At one time or another.  The peaks and valleys that we call life. A few of my blog friends have reminded me to take it a day at a time and also to be good to you. Heather at http://www.allaflutterdesigns.blogspot.com/ reminded me to not be ashamed or afraid to do things that make you feel better like buy yourself flowers!  She also inspires me to take photos! Of the everyday things like little baby toes!  Another of my blog buddies is Ashley, who so bravely and strongly has shared her story of becoming pregnant. She tells it like it is, and is very good at keeping us updated on what is happening in her life. Thanks again for your tech help too Ashley, I hope that this link will work for any of you that would like to check out these blogs.  http://fortheloveofshoesandababy2.blogspot.com/ More on more of my  favorite blogs soon.  Is anything in your life bittersweet today?

FORGE AHEAD

Put one foot in front of the other(It helps when you have pink Nike Air Max shoes on )
                                                              and
                                                     FORGE AHEAD!

I had a lovely day with my little  BIG boy on an adventure looking for places to take photos for a contest I am entering....

It has to be close ups of landscapes and no people in them. The winning photos will be on display in a hospital.  So.....here are a few that I like.  It was fun to explore a new place and to take photos of things that I do not usually photograph. I do enjoy landscapes, but not always so many close ups! I am learning to use my new camera though. And the day was beautiful so that is always an incentive to get the walking shoes on
                                                                  and
                                                      FORGE AHEAD!

The boy

Then we of course had to go look at some fancy cars and food....this kid can eat....and ice cream...and shopping! 

It was a fun day.... we got home just in time for him to want to eat again! Thanks to my boy for accompanying mom on an adventure in search of the photos I need for the contest and some well needed sunshine and fresh air....along with an ice cream and Pink.berry too!

Post Spring Break

It has been a whirlwind since spring break!

The weather has been so unpredictable and also my daily life has as well.....

Youngest kiddo has been having some health issues and that has been super stressful on momma. It is so difficult to deal with an illness...especially when you are not   positive  about the diagnosis.

And when it affects your kids it is even harder to deal with. Because we want to protect them and make things all perfect and good for them.  I have been following several blogs and many of them are about kids that have illness and many of them are of infertility and many of them are about people that have actually had to deal with loss....loss of a spouse, loss of a parent, loss of a child.  Others are about daily life or decorating, ways to re-do stuff or crafty things.

It is interesting to me that the blogs I follow, many of them are about overcoming an obstacle or a loss or a difficult time in one's life.

I think it is in my nature. I am a nurturer, I am a giver, I am a helper. I feel so good when I can leave a comment and reassurance that the blogger is not alone. Or actually some helpful advice, or a cheerleader of sorts"you can do this".It is a way to connect..a safe way to connect...more on that subject later...

The interesting thing to me is that I have never met these bloggers. But I feel as if I know them. I feel connected to them in a non connected sort of way. Does any of this make sense?  I feel as if my blogging friends are truly my friends. Some live close others live worlds away, but we still have blogging in common.And many other things I am sure.... I am trying to get more in depth in my blogging. I am still having trouble with the "what to blog about" and "who will care " what I am blogging about and how can I blog and create" value" for my readers? 

Really there is probably not rocket science to this....although for me, the visual is very important too, and I have had the hardest time with that aspect of it....sort of technologically challenged:)  But I am not going to let that stop me. I have really nice photos I want to post, have trouble even doing that.....

I am also a bit uneasy with the letting the world into my life and thoughts and photos of my family, etc. For privacy and safety.

Did any of you have these same feelings when you were starting or at any time?  And, how do you learn the easiest things to do with photos, buttons, etc. on your pages?  I actually read "Blogging for Dummies" but it did not do too much to help me....

 p.s.I also want to thank those that have offered encouragement and help thus far. You mean a lot to me!

MOMMA's SPRING BREAK

Gorgeous colors and perfect clear day!

Practicing with the macro and settings on my canon

Daisies in honor of my beloved mommy. Her birthday was this week

too...she has been in heaven for almost 19years. I miss her every day.

Well......I have had a busy spring break! Still took care of my household duties, but managed to get out and explore my surroundings and see some friends and savor the beautiful weather we are having.....here is a sampling of what I have been up to....

Sunday: Disneyland with my Little(BIG) boy. This turned out to be a short visit as we were there when the earthquake hit and rides were closed for a while and after that...we got some food and momma decided it was time to go...did not want to get stuck in that crowd in a big natural disaster(can you tell I am very afraid of earthquakes???

Monday: household stuff...hanging with the kiddies

Tuesday: Up to Los Angeles...went to see Renior at the LA county Museum of Art. Awesome exhibit and gorgeous day. After the exhibit(Thanks Laurie!) we went to the Grove for lunch. That night Five for Fighting concert with John Ondrasik my childhood friend. Had never seen him perform and he is fantastic even better in person than on the albums. His voice is incredible!Stayed in the city, it was fun to be like a tourist. Also "crashed" a food network party" held on the rooftop of our hotel. Did not stay long as we had to get tot he concert. We were able to say a hello and get a photo with our Johnny. My BFF and I had a great time.

Wednesday: Walked to breakfast in Beverly Hills, before checking out from out hotel. BFF had to work a half day so she went to work and I headed home....detour to Marina Del Rey on the way back....sat and read a few chapters of my book and drank a diet coke....heaven....

Thursday: Headed to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA...a rainbow of color but on the ground not in the sky...you know of my affinity for rainbows....met a few friends there we were all with cameras so we shot a good few hours. From there we went to Sammy's Woodfired Pizza...used to go to the one in La Jolla years ago. They have the best Chopped Salad! Quick visit to the outlet mall, did not buy anything... Visited Stepmom for the afternoon and went for dinner.

Friday: Cleaning in the morning.... Michael Buble concert in the evening. Date night....went to Katsuya for dinner....fun and different...a good place to people watch(one of my favorite pastimes:)) His show was fantastic...I am NOW a fan. Very nice guy seemed genuine and the place was sold out. A great mix of young and old at this show. Hubby even enjoyed the show(I think...)

Saturday (today): doing stuff at home, laundry... laundry.... laundry...does it ever go away????? Trying to figure out how to use this blog....