Monthly Archives: May 2015

I Am Wonder Woman

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I can drive 12 hours in a single weekend.

I can and I did and I am happy and I am tired.

It was a great and chaotic and fast time spent on the road and with family and friends to celebrate Laurie’s 50th birthday. I loved seeing how many women loved her and I loved helping her open her presents until the wee hours this morning.

I avoided a major accident as a guy swerved off the road in front of me and three people passed me to only come back and cut me off and slam on their brakes and slow me down. People are strange. 

I enjoyed the little ones and the big ones and got very little sleep but enjoyed being with my babies.

 I laughed and cried and enjoyed the connections and time spent together.

  

I am happy to have gone and am happy to be home.

nAMaste

50 Years

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Happy 50th Birthday to my cousin Laurie.

I’m so happy that we got to celebrate you this weekend and I love that you chose a pink dress instead of black!! 

50 is the new 40 and you are rockin’ it!!

Thanks to my parents for opening up their home to so many friends and family so that we could all celebrate our “sister.”

The taco truck guy was awesome and people all had a good time sitting out on the patio together.

Life is good!

Ready for Summer 

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We had a pool party today to celebrate the end of the school year.  I loved seeing Charlie in his new tank top and munching on juicy watermelon.

I also loved that the parent chaperones set out a fruit table for the first snack break before lunch with no other junk food options.  This was a brilliant idea and all the kids filled their plates with healthy food. 

  
The lifeguards had the kids swim across the shallow end to earn a wristband if they could get to the other side without touching the bottom or the sides that entitled them to swim in the deep end. Charlie was the first one in and was successful.  I love the shadow of the tree reflecting on the still water in front of him.   
Pools and watermelon and sweet, fresh fruit are getting me excited for summer vacation, that felt like it began today, even though we have one more week left of school scheduling.  

What do you have planned to do this summer?

Have a great weekend and Happy Birthday to my BFF Michele and my sister cousin Laurie!! I’m so glad you both were born.  xoxo

nAMaste

On Communicating

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I don’t have any pictures to share today but I want to share a story about my friend, who I adore, and who is probably reading this.

Many people adore her and it’s not just me and I think I know why.  Well, there are several reasons why, but one pops out.

She actively listens to people and gives people her time. She looks at them longer than most people look at you and not in that creepy way, but the way that shows genuine interest.

She not only listens, but she also shares part of her story about what she’s doing or thinking and connects with people in a way that most people don’t. She makes people feel welcome and important. Her act of sharing creates a connection and familiarity that makes people comfortable and where they feel safe to talk and share and laugh for a moment, even though they don’t even know her sometimes.  There is an art to communication and she has it and I love seeing her genuine spirit shine. She makes people happy wherever she goes and people love her.

I think it’s because she is always so positive and not in a rush, as most of us are.  She makes an effort to slow down and to talk and connect, even when she’s on her way to juggle 5 million things. I love this about her.

And it’s not with just one person. It’s with most people she comes in contact with where there is a chance of communication.

For example, we were shopping together as we are working on a project together and as we are checking out, she’s telling the checker all about what we’re doing and explaining her purpose and excitement for her purchases. And then the checker is smiling and sharing her story about what she likes about what we’re buying and doing and smiles are shining all around. There is a carefree spirit through the transaction that sometimes doesn’t require a conversation at all. It reminds me of what it must be like living in a small town where everyone knows everyone. But that’s not the case where we live, but she makes it feel like that.

And before we even got to the checkout line, she recognized another mom from the baseball field that she kind of knew, and she made an effort to acknowledge her, talk with her and ask her a question before moving on with her purchase.  The lady smiled.

I wonder if she knows how wonderful she is and this magical gift she shares with our little world.

I know and I am lucky to be her friend.  We all can learn from her example of authenticity and love and patience and kindness for others. Thank you friend. I know you know who you are.

xo

On Writing

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I write every day and sometimes this is a challenge. Like today.

I have a ton of things that happened that are somewhat interesting – maybe, but maybe not.

And some things I don’t always want to share. Or at least not right away.

Some things might be controversial, so I try to avoid sharing those or if I have a strong opinion, I prefer to keep quiet and keep the peace.  Probably boring… but it works for me.

Today involved boring and non-controversial stuff that is not really even worthy of sharing and doesn’t make for a good story.

I was present, taking the car in to check the tires, shopping, chopping veggies and cleaning fruit and making food ready to eat so everyone can grab and go! That was actually fun. I love to have healthy food prepared and watching my kids gobble it up as I clean and make it readily available.

My mom used to always cut fruit up for us for dessert and it was the only way I really enjoyed it. I think I loved that she prepared it and I got to watch her do it.  Isn’t that weird? I still love watching my friends (AL and ML) cut up fruit and veggies and love when they make them for me. They taste so much better when they do it!  Maybe that’s what my kids think too.

I think Juliana ate half of what I was preparing for the week, as I washed and chopped and packaged.  Probably not really half, but she was so happy enjoying herself eat as I worked and I loved having her in the kitchen with me. It was all worth it.

That was probably the highlight of my day, besides practicing hand stands in yoga. I have a lot to still practice!

There was one other really cool thing I learned about today and that is about Honor Flights.  The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s Veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials, with all expenses paid. The inaugural Honor Flight tour took place in May 2005.  Tonight at my PEO meeting, another PEO who volunteers with this organization, came to share her story about the organization with us. She showed us a slide show and told us about how the organization works. She also brought a star guest, who was a veteran who actually went on one of these flights. Hearing his story and seeing him in tears as he remembered all the people who recognized him and cheered for him at the airports and honored him was so touching. It gives me chills just thinking about his story.  He will be 95 next year and still drives.  He reminded me of Algin Hughes, our PopPop and Colonel!!

If you’d like to learn more about Honor Flight and wish to make a donation, please visit their website:

  
Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation:  www.honorflightbayarea.org

And then just like that, sometimes writing has a purpose that shows up just by beginning to write.  Who knew?

nAMaste and thank you for reading my writing. xo

Free to BE You and Me

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 It’s Memorial Day and I am married to a veteran.  We take the time to reflect and remember that our freedom to BE is a gift from those families who chose to sacrifice and give of themselves and we are grateful. 

Today we celebrated with veterans in Santa Clara and smiled at Denny and his wife Marilynne who shared stories with us as we admired their courage and history in serving our country.  I loved this moment and loved their hugs and kisses. There was an instant connection through our gratitude and recognition of their service and I was touched by our spontaneous interaction.  I wanted to hear more of their story. Denny teased me and handed me his biography. He was decorated with several honorable medals, including a Purple Heart and a Navy Cross. He was a true gentleman and I admired his pride and character.

   
     

We are thankful for our veterans and their families, especially PopPop and MamMam, Algin Hughes and Elaine Hughes.

Life is good and we thank you, veterans. xoxo

Family Time

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My sister and her girls came to see us to make memories together over Memorial Day Weekend. I am so happy they are here.

I love seeing the cousins playing together and being with my sister and just hanging out. We don’t even care what we do. I think the highlight of the day was pretending to watch a movie and taking a nap instead! 

I love the simple things and today was just right! 

   
 

   
   How are you spending Memorial Day?

Love from our family to yours. xoxo

Celebrate Good Times

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I am still in celebration mode with the end of the school year wrapping up and have more good times to share. We’re tired and we are arguing a bit more than usual, and yet we keep on going, of course!

We came to celebrate Charlie today for being recognized for his math skills.   

 

After his award assembly, we had another celebratory party to recognize the Future Scientists and Engineers of America. They had their last class today and celebrated with cake and chips and fruit and drinks.  

 

We found the bench at the elementary school, which is dedicated in memory of Lynn Rose, who served as a mentor and giver to our community, and who Juliana was given a memorial award to in her honor last night. We ran into teachers who congratulated her and told her that she was well deserving.

 
And one last celebration was being able to all join Christian for his swim team awards.  He’s come along way and has been dedicated to practicing every day even with his injuries. 

 

I am proud of my kids and am glad that they have found activities that they love.

What are you celebrating this week?

Life is good – celebrate!!

xoxo