Breakfast Bliss

Everyone has their favorite breakfast spot. Mine happens to be Skillets Sunrise Cafe. In fact, a weekend is not truly complete without at least one visit! Some of my best conversations with my girls, Steven and Laura have taken place within those wood-paneled walls. Whenever we have company in town...where do I take them for the best straweberry waffle in town? Skillets! Feeling blue and need a pick-me-up after a long and frustrating week at work? Skillets potatoes will return the smile to your face.

But, Skillets, isn't just my favorite...it's also my mother-in-law's. So, with tremendous regularity, we find ourselves sitting across from one another in our favorite cozy corner. Last weekend was no exception. The junior Smith family arrived ready to satisfy our appetites. The senior Smith family did the same. And, as usual, Paula came prepared with treats of her own...the consumate grandmother....new robes for the girls and a bag of meat for me!!!!! (She left Diane's at home!) Yet another reason why I love Skillets!!!

My Future Ruler

When the earth floods from global warming, the swimmers will rule the world. ~Author Unknown

Homecoming 2008

Simple Surprises

I couldn't wait to arrive home today and shake off my Monday...I'm still in the throes of my first cold of the school year...I was tired and cranky from having to wait an extra hour for Alissa's practice to end...I forgot to charge my cell phone before leaving the house so my battery was about dead and I couldn't reach Steven...the list of petty complaints and grievances goes on and on.

But, after reaching the solace of my sanctuary, shedding my work clothes and quickly climbing into my jammies (even though it was only 6:45 p.m.)...I suddenly felt much better. Taking my relaxation one step further, I slipped into my fuzzy red robe with huge white polka-dots (thanks Laura!) and poured myself a tall glass of chocolate milk. After positioning myself on the sofa, I reached into the deep, fluffy pocket and discovered a one dollar bill! What a welcome...and needed surprise!

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”~Boris Pasternak

On Shopping

I've never been a huge shopper. Now, don't get me wrong...I do love a great sale! Actually, I almost never buy anything for myself at full price anymore. But, in all honesty, I would prefer to just hit a store alone...pull a few things off the rack...quickly try things on...make sure they're not too snug...and head out with my sale items in tow!

But when I have my daughters with me...everything changes. I love, love, love shopping with them...chatting aimlessly, laughing for no obvious reason, just spending time together with no interruptions! Just last weekend the three of us spent the entire afternoon searching for the perfect homecoming dress. Alissa would try something on (everything looks amazing on her by the way!) and the two of us would weigh in with our opinions. After about fifty different dresses, we found the most incredible frock! I could care less that it wasn't on sale! Now, this past Saturday morning we were on the hunt for the perfect shoes (at 5'10" without shoes, she doesn't want to tower over ALL the boys) and accessories. We found some definite possibilities but will have to hit the mall again tomorrow to be certain! And although I have a killer cold right now, I'm looking forward to it!

“The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her.”~Marlene Cox

ours

a long while back...way back in fact...i used to conclude all of my letters and notes with three little numbers...1-4-3. i thought or rather assumed that this little numerical configuration held the same meaning for everyone..."i love you"...a one letter word, a four letter word, and a three letter word...right? so, as a hip mom i thought i would communicate this lovely sentiment to my own text-crazed daughter. thus, during a relatively recent text conversation, i typed 143...to which she responded 658. hmmm. clearly, this must be some new teenage texting lingo of which i was unaware like lol or ttfn...frustrated, i pondered these numbers for several minutes but came up with nothing! Unable to figure it out...i dialed her number to solve the mystery. alissa explained she thought i was texting various random numbers...so she did the same. after we both stopped giggling, the text popped up again...and again...and again. those three little numbers...658...are now just ours.

decisions, decisions

lately some of the decisions i have had to make have required a tremendous amount of soul searching while others simply are the difficult choices of parenting during the insanely busy times of the teenage years.

for example, what does one do when both children have equally important sporting events scheduled at exactly the same time? how does one choose which event to attend...or do you split the events right down the middle and miss most of both of them while driving?

another example. what is a mother to say when her eldest child asks if she can attend a two hour meeting for "young life" (see here for more info on this amazing organization) which would delay her evening arrival and force her to stay up even later to complete her daily studies?

one more example. how does a daughter of divorced parents choose where and how to spend the upcoming holidays without hurting someones feelings or pride? or do I just pull the covers over my head and bury myself there until January?

all of these tough decisions have been creating within me an internal battle...unsure sometimes of what might be the best of all the possible choices...hoping to uncover the alternative that offers the least challenge, the most contentment, and a semblance of peace...all while following my heart.

i pray that i'm doing the best i can...and always strive to do a little bit better...and i'm grateful to have someone to kiss every night and to review these tough choices with..because it will work out.



“Make decisions from the heart and use your head to make it work out.”~Sir Girad

On Embarrassment

“If you have embarrassed yourself and are going to laugh about it someday, you might as well start today.”~Anonymous

It's a good thing I don't embarrass easily. In fact, it takes a lot to get my cheeks burning...short of finding myself naked in a crowded room there's not much on this earth could cause me to feel humiliated. Call me a fool...call me confident...call me asinine...it makes no difference to me. In all honesty...I enjoy when I make some slight social misstep or behave in some manner that makes absolutely no sense...even to me! Instead...the giggles that emerge when I am able to laugh at myself bring me infinite pleasure! Screw embarrassment and savor the snickers.


Case in point. That's my pirate pose for our students...don't even know what I'm trying to do with my hand!

really? really? yes, really.

okay. so, saturday errands are a necessary part of our lives. making bank deposits. shopping for groceries. picking up drycleaning. etc. etc. etc. but, nothing makes these morning trips more rewarding than a trip down the "warts and lice" aisle at cvs. ahhhh. now my saturdays are complete.

the sea

“As I gaze upon the sea! All the old romantic legends, all my dreams, come back to me.”~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The sea represents so many different things for each person...
for a preteen boy...a place to practice his wakeboarding skills...dreaming of fun and speed,
for a young girl...a place to introduce her puppy to the wonders of the huge surf...dreaming with tenderness and silliness,
for four longtime friends...a place to walk without worries and share in nature's gifts...dreaming of the future and what it might hold,
yes, it means so many different things.