Mother Nature's Making it Tough

My aim was to write one of these entries every day. Today started out with an angry thunder storm (which made me question the propriety of sending Riley out to the bus, though I eventually settled on running out to it with her -- like that would somehow ward off the evil storm spirits.)  And it remained dank, gross and decidedly gloomy. Mother Nature seems to be doing her level best to steal my sunshine. But I'm determined to stick with this.  At least for one more day.  

So....to the things that made me smile today:

• Tomorrow's Friday!
• I checked a few more To Do's off my list.
• At least today's precip was rain, not snow.
• Being part of a schmouple.
• Being Christopher Robinned - "Tut tut, it looks like rain."
• Gathered up a bag full of stuff to donate to VVA tomorrow, and made a corresponding dent in the junk heap residing in my "office".
• Watching Riley play in the backyard in her yellow rain coat and rain boots.
• These words were actually texted to me today: "fo shizzle poohzizzle."
• I think I may have been followed by Ross Perot tonight on Twitter. (If it's a fake account, it certainly tweets a lot.) 
• "Sid" the mouse reminded me today that happiness is not a destination, but a way of life. 

:)

Look for the Positive

I can't tell you how many times in the past week I've had to consciously turn away from the computer and make a concerted effort not to keep looking back at either Twitter or Facebook or various news feeds.  There's just been....so much. In fact, earlier tonight, as I was braiding Riley's hair, she remarked, "Why do we even watch the news?! It's five minutes of weather, and the rest is people killing each other!" (We don't actually watch it often here -- I get most of my news on-line these days -- but it happened to be on when we walked back out into the family room.)  I hugged her and reminded her that there are a lot of good stories and good people, too.  We just don't hear enough about them, it seems. 

Which brings me to this -- earlier today, I resolved to get back to my blogging in earnest.  I really would like to write something every day. Even if it's mostly just fluff. I re-read a number of my old posts today and was reminded how good it felt to be sharing my daily smiles (and interspersing those with more contemplative pieces.)  Then, too, I found a photo/message from one of my favorite Facebook pages "365 Days of Inspiration" that reminded me to look for the beauty in every day:

So I decided to do just that.  And I actually sat down and made a list of the things that have made me smile in the past day or two:

• I have a new shower. Not a completely new shower -- just a new surround and fixtures. But it works. For the first time in over two years, I have my own shower and am not borrowing Riley's. And it feels great! One nagging item off that far too long list of things to get done.
• The giggle fit Josh and I had Monday night as we opened our show with a tribute to the K-Mart "ship your pants" commercial, and Mark's bewilderment at us.
• Discovering that I have a way to copy files off of all my old floppies at work (some saved from 13+ years ago) and even convert the Word Perfect documents to Word. (Geek alert!)
• Receiving some of the sweetest texts and e-mails from my beau. (Schmoop alert!  And get used to it.)
• Valiantly slaying the giant spider Riley discovered in her shower this morning -- it's nice when Mom can still save the day.
• Getting David past the 100 Follower mark on Twitter. (This will mean nothing to non-Twitterers, but it's a pretty big deal in the Twitterverse.  I still remember how proud I was when I broke the 100 Follower barrier.) 
• Confirming plans for our upcoming "staycation," including taking in a Cardinals game, staying downtown and doing St. Louis touristy stuff.
• Having lunch with Sam, Hopey and Kevin today to celebrate Sam's birthday -- at Arcelia's, no less. Always loved that place and hated it when they closed. So glad they've reopened. Just as delicious as ever!
• Working with silly, perverse co-workers who regularly force me to plug my ears and "Lalalala - I'm not listening!" at them.
• It's warm out (for the time being) and it was sunny this afternoon.
• I found a pretty flower in my backyard.

There is beauty in the world. There is good in the world.  Remember that. :) 

Eleven

Today is Riley's 11th birthday.  Eleven.  ELEVEN?!! I'm not quite certain how that happened?  Because she was only just eight:  The Ides of March

Or, maybe nine: Nine

Well, I know ten was just yesterday: Double Digits

Yes, it's time once again for me to marvel at how quickly the time passes and how much my little girl is growing up.  She's arrived in full-on tweendom -- and we'll be shopping later today to mark the occasion accordingly.  Of course, the number one item on her list is an American Girl Doll, so I guess I cannot complain that she is too grown up just yet.  

One of my most favorite things about her is her kindness.  And watching her do the right thing, even when she doesn't know I'm watching.  Not long ago, we went to a movie and, after arriving home, realized that she had left her hat in the theater.  (This was the little brown bear hat with the pink rose on it which I'd gotten her for Christmas, and which makes me grin every time I watch her trot off to the bus stop sporting it, the little ears sort of flip flopping as she goes.)  In a panic, I called the theater and asked about the hat.  Sure enough, they had it.  And, conveniently enough, we were heading back that way for dinner.  So, we drove back by the theater, and I encouraged Riley to get out of the car and run in to retrieve the hat herself.  I wasn't certain she'd be okay with that, but I like to nudge her towards independence when I can.  She hopped out and trotted into the the theater.  (She trots a lot -- it's rather cute, actually.)  A few moments later, she emerged, hat in hand and then, as I watched with pride, stood there patiently holding the door for an older gentleman who was making his way slowly into the theater. I've seen her do the same thing at school on mornings when I drop her off.  I don't recall ever specifically teaching her about holding doors (perhaps others have), but it always makes me smile. It's nice to know I'm raising a child who does think of others and minds her manners even when she's not aware she's being observed. 

Again, while I'm happy to take a smidge of credit for that, mostly I know she is just as God made her. And I am so very blessed to be her mom. Happy Birthday, my sweet Riley Jayne!!

Of Happy Places

Good thing I didn't make my last blog a vow about posting daily (or weekly) blogs....But, hey, hi! I'm back again. Realizing I've been back from Florida over a week already -- not sure how that happened?! Regardless, I cannot let any more time pass without recounting what a wonderful, amazing time I had on my trip.  We went to celebrate the birthday of my dear friend Jacque, who happens to own a lovely home in Naples.  Thankfully, the stars aligned nicely enough to afford me the opportunity to accept her invitation.

So, off we flew, Jacque, Michele, Diane and I, for four blissful days in Florida.  I highly recommend such a thing -- especially in early February.  Nothing like a few days of sunny, 80 degree weather, to help banish the winter doldrums! The flight there was uneventful (my neverending nerves notwithstanding), and we were greeted at the airport by Jacque's parents, who were so warm and gracious -- though, frankly, I'm not surprised, knowing Jacque as I do.  They helped transport us (and our luggage) back to the house and get us settled, and we spent a nice, relaxing evening there.

In fact, it was so very relaxing and peaceful there, I found myself sleeping for 8 and 9 hours a night -- which is unheard of in my world!  And it was lovely to wake each morning and spend an hour or so lazing by the pool, enjoying the warm, morning air, listening to the birds chirping...

It took us a little while to get all packed up and beach-ready Friday morning. Diane was ready to go before the rest of us...

But we did finally make our way to Vanderbilt Beach, and enjoyed a nice afternoon there - the sudden attack of Red Tide and consequent nasal waterworks notwithstanding.  Thank goodness Jacque brought hankies (of a sort)!! We also had a delightful lunch at the Ritz, complete with crab meat nachos and a nummy margarita. Or two. 

After prettying-up for the evening, we ventured back out into downtown Naples and had a delicious dinner at Yabba's, a neat little restaurant/night club place, that had its own pet alligator out front.  At least...I think that was an alligator...

The drink of choice was a "Marga-Jito," I believe -- some combination of Margarita and Mojito. It was delightful! 

And I was feeling so in-the-Florida-moment that I (Ms. Non-Seafood-Eater) actually ordered Grouper.  And it was amazingly good!

After dinner, we went for a stroll through Naples, and I befriended some flora.

We returned to Yabba's after they'd converted from restaurant to nightclub and kicked off our heels to dance.  Until management advised that was frowned upon.  Shoes back on, we took our leave and headed home, where the celebrating continued...

The next morning, we took it easy, then eventually made our way to Naples Beach for another leisurely afternoon in the sun and sand, and a full and thorough celebration of Jacque's actual natal day!

Saturday night's dinner was at an Hibatchi place called "DaRuMa."  Their Manager's snotty attitude about honoring a promotional deal notwithstanding, the food was very good, and we made/adopted some new Swiss friends. Was happy my blogger friend Donlyn was able to join us for dinner and our evening out!

Sunday morning we were slated for brunch with Jacque's parents and her cousin Andrea's family.  We dined at Baleen, at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort, which afforded us an amazing view of the ocean during our meal.

For the rest of Sunday, we took it easy, lounging around the pool, picking up some pizza, and quietly enjoying our last evening in Florida. 

Alas, Monday dawned, and it was time for us to pack up and say goodbye to our happy place. Not entirely, mind you -- life's been very kind to me of late and given me some extra doses of happy back here at home, as well.  But there is a peace and serenity I find when I am truly able to "get away," and to spend time in or near the water, in the warmth of the sun, and in the embrace of dear friends.  I'm so very grateful for that!

I Haven't Forgotten the Smiles

Two years ago, in an effort to spur myself to regularly blog, I started posting quasi-daily blogs about things that made me smile.  Mostly little things.  Often silly things.  But always, reminders of the many blessings I've been granted in this life.  

As with most of my grand ideas and projects, however, I've allowed sloth and distraction to knock me out of that practice.  I'll freely confess: I'm not posting this to reaffirm my commitment to daily smiley blogs.  I know better than that. And I hate making promises I won't ultimately keep.  Honestly, I'm just posting it because I have had more cause to smile of late, and I don't want to just take that for granted. 

So, before the causes fade and I forget to acknowledge them and simply be thankful, here are a few of the more recent smile-inducers:

• Riley in her panda hat.
• Texts from Riley on the phone I bought her for Christmas. (She's still 10 and mostly sweet, and there's nothing like getting an, "I <3 you mommy!" from the light of your life.)
• The fact that I have friends who genuinely smile back when they see me sporting a grin.
• The nudge I gave myself to abandon my comfort zone and the fact that it hasn't been catastrophic.  So far. 
• Being a co-host on the radio with my friend Josh -- I absolutely love that this opportunity was offered to me, and I've had so very much fun being part of it.
• I'm going to Florida in a few weeks - whee!!
• I get to celebrate the birthdays of two very dear friends both this weekend and next.
• I may or may not have a rodent residing in my car, but I definitely have an imaginary gopher friend named Sid. I'm somewhat fond of him. And the one person who'll get that joke. 
• Lunches and dinners and drinks with good friends.
• I've actually run twice in one week.
• I recently learned what the "T" in "James T. Kirk" stands for. 
• I'm blogging again.  

:) 

Momeries

Today is my Mom's 80th birthday. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how that's possible, because she neither acts, nor looks, like an 80 year old.  I suppose in my mind's eye, she'll always be somewhere in her late 40's or early 50's -- just as my 26 year old nephew will somehow always be 4.  

The people we know and love longest -- our family -- take up residence not just in our hearts but also in our memories.  It's funny, the things that stand out when we look back on the times we've shared with them.  I'm fortunate that most of my memories involving my Mom (and my entire family) are pleasant ones!  

This past weekend, we celebrated Mom's birthday with a luncheon at a winery.  My siblings and I wanted to do something special to show our love and appreciation for her, so we each sat down and came up with several special memories to share.  I thought I'd include my "Momeries" here in honor of her actual birthday:

• Some of my earliest and fondest memories of Mom are of planting irises and tending to the garden in the backyard with her. 
• Though I was only 3 years old at the time, I vividly recall the day I cracked my head open, and the comfort I took from Mom sitting in the back seat of the car with me with my head in her lap while Dad drove us to the hospital.
• It was always nice to have Mom as one of my Girl Scout leaders, but I particularly remember the time we were camping and it got so cold she agreed to move the entire troop back to our house to complete the “camp out”.
• Mom’s always been creative – one year for Halloween, I was supposed to be a clown. I somehow wound up with mosquito bites or something of that nature on my face, and Mom figured out a way to cover them up with little patches of some sort and make them look appropriately clown-like.
• We had a blizzard one year when I was little, and I remember Mom bundling up and trudging off down the road with one of our sleds to get to the grocery store.
• I can’t remember if it was our trip to Virginia and North Carolina or the one the following year to Florida, but we hadn’t gotten too far from home the first morning out when Mom got pulled over for speeding.  She handled it calmly as I recall. Grandma, on the other hand, wanted to give the Trooper a piece of her mind!  Speaking of speeding, Mom tends to have a lead foot.  Or, actually, feet, since she drives with both of them.  It got me used to quick starts and stops!
• Regarding Mom’s love of genealogy – some of my happier childhood memories are of accompanying her to the library to look through old microfiche records of birth, death and marriage certificates – also, traipsing through graveyards to find headstones of long-dead ancestors.
• Mom’s a great cook and she makes the best pies. One of my favorite things to do when I was little was watch her roll out the dough and then trim off the excess and turn it into yummy pie crust, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
• Also with the great cooking – Mom makes amazing fried chicken.  (And I don’t even like chicken that much.)  I remember the time I was in law school attempting to make a fried chicken dinner for friends, and Mom did her best to coach me through it over the phone.  (Mine was nowhere near as good as hers!)
• When I tell other people about my love of sports – football and baseball in particular – I can’t help but smile at all the times we’d have a game on the TV and I’d know what was happening by how loud Mom was yelling at it.
• It’s actually hard to pick out isolated memories of Mom because she’s simply always been there for me – whether it was to tend to my injuries or make delicious meals or mend my clothes or dry my tears or cheer me on or pick Riley up or chat with me on the phone – I can never adequately express how blessed I am to have her as my Mom. 

I love you, Mom.  Thank you for giving me a life filled with such happy memories.  Happy Birthday!!!

There Are Limits

As has become a semi-regular occurrence for me in recent months, I had another work-related road trip today.  This time, it was to Louisville, Kentucky, for a deposition.  It was a pretty day, and not a bad drive, except for the fact that cell reception along I-64 is ridiculously spotty.  At best.  Even in Louisville, it was sporadic.  I'm not certain if that's an AT&T thing -- I've had an inordinate number of dropped calls lately, as has my sister, who also uses AT&T.  

Anyway, it was a good day for a drive, and I spent much of it listening to 9/11 coverage -- remembering, reflecting.  There got to be so many thoughts bouncing around my head, that I realized I simply must start blogging again, and quit letting my perfectionism and seeming need to write a novel each time I blog get in the way.  My thoughts ranged from the serious and somber to the silly.  Here's one of the sillier observations:

As a frequent road-tripper, I'm also a frequent fast food consumer.  (Sometimes -- okay, often -- it has nothing to do with road-tripping, and everything to do with convenience. And laziness.)  While I would never contend that McDonald's is quality food, it certainly qualifies as relatively-easy-to-consume-while-driving-food.  So the #3 Combo (QPWC meal) is a staple of my travels, and, in fact, served as my lunch today.  That was at around 11:15 this morning.  (The deposition was set to start at noon, so necessitated an earlier lunch.  Plus, I'd been up since 5:00 a.m.)  

Come 5:30 p.m., I was tired of driving, and hungry again.  I stopped off in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, to fill up the tank again, and pondered my various food options.  I couldn't bring myself to go the burger route again.  And then...I saw it: Fazoli's!  I used to have Fazoli's all the time, but haven't in years, since there isn't one near my house anymore.  Baked spaghetti and garlic bread sticks suddenly sounded like the most heavenly kind of dinner!  Briefly, I questioned whether it constituted a driving-appropriate meal, but I immediately dismissed the thought. I'm a veteran multi-task driver.  (I know. I really shouldn't admit to that.) 

Soon, I had my yummy-smelling dinner in hand, and set off westward to St. Louis.  The first bread stick was gone in under five seconds.  I then began contemplating how best to open up the tin of baked spaghetti, and suddenly pictured myself attempting to shovel it into my mouth with a plastic fork, with spaghetti and sauce slithering and slopping everywhere, while I attempted to steer with a knee.  "No," I thought.  "No.  There are limits."  Aren't you relieved? :)  

Post Script: I did finally enjoy the spaghetti after arriving home.  Good stuff!