it ain't easy being green!

i tried to update my blog. i even spent about an hour searching around my favorite blogs looking for some inspiration. but i am afraid that if i design something new i will have to eliminate the green. and i love the green. no, i really, really adore the green. if i could decorate my entire house in green (and my husband wouldn't kill me) I would! if i could wear some shade of green every day (and my kids wouldn't roll their eyes in disgust) i would. green NEVER bores me...it ALWAYS makes me happy. oh well. green it is.

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Reading has always been an integral part of my world. After receiving my first Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham, I vividly remember reciting those magical words over and over again...much to my mother's chagrin. The utter joy those silly little rhymes brought to my four-year-old world was then...and remains even today...indescribable.

As a preteen I constantly whisked myself away to the world of words through a variety of authors...but my personal favorite, Judy Blume, seemed to write just for me. Deenie, Blubber, and Margaret are just a few of Judy's characters who will always remain larger than life in my school girl memories.

Even during high school and college...when reading became an assignment...I actually enjoyed and completed the work without complaint. My favorite courses were always those that incorporated literature into the curriculum. In fact, (I'm embarrassed to admit) I was the geek who actually read and highlighted the boring text books!

Now as an adult, reading is still a priority in my life. It is much more than a habit....it is without question more than an escape...it is undoubtedly pure pleasure. Recently, (as well as in the past) the books I have been drawn to allow me to delve into interesting stories while exploring foreign lands...China, India, Italy and Scotland are a few places I have recently visited in my imagination through the assistance of some gifted authors. The vivid descriptions within these stories about strange and interesting regions resonate deeply within my soul.

Furthermore, these words have further exposed in my heart an unsatisfied yearning that exists for me...a desire for exploration...a thirst for adventure...a want for immersion in another culture and world. These feelings seem to grow only stronger as my children grow older, my financial situation more secure and my desire to make a difference in the world greater...to make some long lasting mark. But for now, until the perfect moment presents itself...I'll just have to keep reading.

“A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.”~Henry David Thoreau

One of My Loves

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and a few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."~Francis Bacon

Isn't that the truth? I could spend every day in this amazing bookstore! I only wish it was here in Naples.

Finding the Keepers

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”~Scott Adams

Everyone knows I'm an orderly person...downright anal at times. Thus, because of the way my mind tends to work and view the world, I would NEVER describe myself as a creative person. Creativity is messy right? It doesn't fit in with the definition of myself that for whatever reason I cling to...like a neat pile of freshly laundered towels...fluffy, clean and safe.

So, instead I fill my life with extremely creative people (Dawn, Laura, and Lisa to name a few fav's) and I just steal their brilliance. But, still somewhere in the back of my mind I can hear myself scream...what are you really afraid of??? Failure??? Exposure??? Mocking laughter??? (Yes, Yes, and YES!)

I am truly trying to move past these self-imposed limitations...and the next statement might may not make sense to some but I owe it all to the Nikon D-40. With the purchase of this fantastic piece of technology (because to say it is simply a camera is insulting), I have been more willing to try. I daresay this amazing device has successfully unlocked from my neatly ordered brain hidden creative potential.

I'm not very good yet...but now that I have opened that little creative window in my heart and head...I can feel the breeze stirring new ideas...whispering to me to come out and play. What's more, I'm less afraid to make mistakes because of that handy little delete button. Some keepers are even saved on my computer. And what fun I'm having!!!

IN REPAIR

"Too many shadows in my room. Too many hours in this midnight. Too many corners in my mind. So much to do to set my heart right. Oh, its taken so long. I could be wrong. I could be ready. Oh, but if I take my heart's advice. I should assume it's still unsteady."

"I am in repair. I am in repair."

"Stood on the corner for a while. To wait for the wind to go down on me. Hoping it takes with it my old ways. And brings some brand new luck upon me. Oh, it's taking so long. I could be wrong. I could be ready. Oh, but if I take my heart's advice I should assume it's still unsteady."

"I am in repair. I am in repair."

"And now I'm walking in the park. And all of the birds...they dance below me. Maybe when things turn green again it will be good to say you know me. Oh, it's taken so long. I could be wrong. I could be ready. Oh, and if I take my hearts advice. I should assume it's still unsteady."

"I'm never really ready. I'm never really ready. I'm in repair...I'm not together but I'm getting there. I'm in repair...I'm not together but I'm getting there. I'm in repair...I'm not together but I'm getting there. I'm in repair...I'm not together but I'm getting there. I'm in repair...I'm not together but I'm getting there. ~John Mayer

While listening to my buddy, John Mayer, the other morning I had one of those "ahaaa" moments. I have listened to this particular song many a time but maybe since I was wearing headphones and the volume was pretty high I could actually make out each individual lyric. I'm not sure what I thought Johnny had been crooning to me all these months while listening but this time the words just seemed to jump out to me...maybe I needed to really hear them, maybe my q-tips were working that day...whatever. At any particular moment in time we're all trying to repair ourselves in some way...working to shed a few unwanted pounds, attempting to clear our minds of negativity, or trying to mend a broken heart. With unbelievable pride I have witnessed my closest friend work so hard to repair herself this summer...by building stronger relationships based on mutual respect, by exploring her spirituality more deeply, by venturing into unknown territory with joyous confidence, by spreading her infectious charm and wit to those lucky enough to call her friend. I feel so very, very privileged to bear witness as she continues to pull out her very special toolbox (I picture it as a soft shade of green with cool black/white photos decoupaged on the outside) from deep inside herself and is making the necessary repairs. She seems to be able to find the handiest tools more readily these days...they aren't piled under useless junk or unable to be located. And I so hope and pray that although her heart may not be completely fixed...she's getting there.


And it's sooooo good to know her.

Finding HER Niche.

As parents, we have attempted to expose our children to all that life has to offer...hoping they stumble upon that one thing that sparks their interests...lights a fire in their belly...enhances their God-given talents.

As parents, we have attempted to allow our children to cultivate THEIR interests even when WE may have wanted them to move in another direction...choosing to support their passions...helping to build their confidence...offering up possible opportunities to develop their individuals gifts.

Now when something just seems to click...it's as if the planets have perfectly aligned...and you can witness firsthand their discovery of "their niche"...it's pretty darn incredible...and we feel very, very blessed that out littlest seems to have found hers.



Her first tournament is next Thursday! She and her caddie (me) can't wait!

Volleyball Camp Must-Haves

Late last night Alissa and I were up discussing, organizing and planning the contents for her rather large army duffle. Extra-long sheet set (which of course had to be purchased because who has extra long twin beds???)...check. Two clean towels...check. Eight sets of volleyball practice outfits...check. Ditties bag with essentials...check. Twelve pairs of clean skivvies (you can NEVER have enough)...check. Two cute outfits (just in case)...check. Extra spending money for snacks at the campus store...check. Heartfelt note from baby sister hidden in her purse to open upon arrival...check and mate.

Love????

Little Man is Kinsey's pride and joy. She LOVES that silly dog. In fact, this year for her birthday all she asked for was "dog stuff". I did not indulge this request but other family members happily complied. So, this year she received three new doggie outfits, various new chew toys, a doggie life jacket and a STROLLER! Yesterday, she put him through his paces in the pool. As you can see...she had a blast. Not so sure about Little Man.




“Love is a reciprocal torture.”~Marcel Proust

You've Been Warned!

Yesterday was a momentous day! It was an enormous milestone in the life of Alissa Smith (and dare I say her mother as well)! After passing her required tests, swearing an oath to obey the laws, and standing proudly for her photo...Alissa has a learner's license (permit to those of us from another generation)...and I couldn't be more excited and proud. She drove home from the driver's license office and has been carting me around since!

that's my girl

quirky...weird...unique...confident...grounded...bizarre...witty



each of the above adjectives accurately describe my kinsey...but she is so much more than a collection of letters. right now we are in the midst of redecorating her bedroom (cow/elvis theme) and having a blast doing so. the planning sessions (more like my attempts to talk her out of black and white spotted walls) have lent themselves to some wonderful time spent together...okay, i admit from time to time i am pulling my hair out...but i have to pass along just one kinsey pearl of wisdom. after our third trip to target to collect stuff for her room we passed a young man in our neigborhood riding his bike...an eighth grader. she revealed that this boy, although a pain in her butt, has stated his parents have given up on him and his education. this seemed to bother her. i expressed my sadness for his feelings and then asked...aren't you glad that your parents care about your education? she shrugged her consent...but i couldn't leave it at that...so i went on to say...having a good education is important so that you can have a nice, comfortable place to live and you wouldn't have to live in a trailer park or a some yucky, run-down place...she looked me dead-on and said...i guess...but even if i had to live there i would still be the same person...i'd still be me. you go, girl.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”-Dr. Suess

summer vacation 2008

i can't believe it's over...it was truly the best vacation of my life! and i'm not exaggerating.

yes, my weight gain from the mass amounts of soda and junk food have made me appear to be four months along...yes, my back and legs suffered from continual soreness from being shaped into a pretzel for hours on end...yes, i often needed drugs (go melatonin!) to sleep nights due to the cacophony of snores around the room...but every little ache, each lost minute of sleep, and all the extra calories were more than worth it!

now, anyone who knows me is well aware that i need my quiet time...my time all to myself...to revive myself and regenerate...i'm guessing this originates from all my days as an only child...those moments of solitude are part of who i am. but, i really and truly did not feel those typical rumblings...the grumps i usually get from being with others for extended periods with no time off.

instead, i loved watching my daughters strengthen their budding new "teen" relationship...i cherished being witness to the tenderness shown by a little brother to his big sister and vice versa...i felt utter joy when my youngest child took my hand in hers and through a tear-soaked voice expressed her concern for me after visiting my uncle's name on the wall...i experienced once again my husband's bizzare and hysterical sense of humor reminding of just one of the reasons why i fell in love with him...i felt extreme compassion for my oldest child's wounded heart when she discovered the community surrounding one of the seven wonder's of the world had sold out.

if you ever have the opportunity to cram your entire family (and eighty plus pound dog along with a very special auntie) into your family truckster for four days of driving (over thirty-five hours) and five days of touring awesome destinations...i urge you to bite the bullet and do it...you won't be sorry!

st. augustine

savannah

wilmington

d.c.

annapolis