10. Words like 401K, portfolio, nest egg are a part of my regular vocabulary.
9. Words like “sick”, “what it do”, and “crackalackin’” are not.
8. I had to look up that last word in number 9.
7. Fashion and comfort are almost = on the scale
6. Staying out till 10 is a LATE night.
5. I have considered trading in my high riding SUV for a mini-van (but I haven’t caved yet.)
4. I get excited when I see the 10 for $10 sign at the grocery store
3. Large purchases include ginormous play yards for my kids…and ficus trees to shield them from the skinny dipping neighbors.
2. The word “PTA” is looming in my not so distant future…
1. Spent an hour talking with my little brother and his girlfriend (discovered how behind the times I am) before they started their night (9PM) and we crashed fast asleep in our memory foam to reruns of “Friends” which is now being shown on Nick at Nite. (ok, TBS…whatever.)

10. Words like 401K, portfolio, nest egg are a part of my regular vocabulary.
9. Words like “sick”, “what it do”, and “crackalackin’” are not.
8. I had to look up that last word in number 9.
7. Fashion and comfort are almost = on the scale
6. Staying out till 10 is a LATE night.
5. I have considered trading in my high riding SUV for a mini-van (but I haven’t caved yet.)
4. I get excited when I see the 10 for $10 sign at the grocery store
3. Large purchases include ginormous play yards for my kids…and ficus trees to shield them from the skinny dipping neighbors.
2. The word “PTA” is looming in my not so distant future…
1. Spent an hour talking with my little brother and his girlfriend (discovered how behind the times I am) before they started their night (9PM) and we crashed fast asleep in our memory foam to reruns of “Friends” which is now being shown on Nick at Nite. (ok, TBS…whatever.)

Some people like to write because they’re good at it, they tell delightful stories and draw others into their lives with clever words. Some people like to write because its therapeutic- journaling their thoughts, emotions, activities helps them discover themselves in a new way and leave hurt in the past. Me?

I like to write not because I’m terribly talented, though I can appreciate the gift in others, not because it’s cheaper than a shrink, not to convert others to my personal political skew…I write because somewhere in the middle of busy days turning into busy nights and sorting whites and colors and the day in-day out of life that can suck every ounce of vitality from you (if you let it) I want my life to say something. I want my perspective, thoughts to be documented and to speak. So someday I won’t be known as the girl who vaccuumed, or the one who whizzes past you on the freeway…but the one who took time (ok maybe not every day, ummm…once a week??) to stop the merry-go-round of life and grab at some of the scattered thoughts and share them. Even if it speaks only to a few…as long as those words are mine.

What exactly do I want my life to say? That’s another question all together. I really think it’s an evolving story. Hopefully one that has more triumphs than tragedies and that speaks of growth and reality. And I wouldn’t mind a little, “Dang not only was that broad hot, she sure was rich!” Kidding. Ok. Not Kidding…Dreaming.

Some people like to write because they’re good at it, they tell delightful stories and draw others into their lives with clever words. Some people like to write because its therapeutic- journaling their thoughts, emotions, activities helps them discover themselves in a new way and leave hurt in the past. Me?

I like to write not because I’m terribly talented, though I can appreciate the gift in others, not because it’s cheaper than a shrink, not to convert others to my personal political skew…I write because somewhere in the middle of busy days turning into busy nights and sorting whites and colors and the day in-day out of life that can suck every ounce of vitality from you (if you let it) I want my life to say something. I want my perspective, thoughts to be documented and to speak. So someday I won’t be known as the girl who vaccuumed, or the one who whizzes past you on the freeway…but the one who took time (ok maybe not every day, ummm…once a week??) to stop the merry-go-round of life and grab at some of the scattered thoughts and share them. Even if it speaks only to a few…as long as those words are mine.

What exactly do I want my life to say? That’s another question all together. I really think it’s an evolving story. Hopefully one that has more triumphs than tragedies and that speaks of growth and reality. And I wouldn’t mind a little, “Dang not only was that broad hot, she sure was rich!” Kidding. Ok. Not Kidding…Dreaming.

When you have a bad day…there’s nothing like being surrounded by the faces that make you know all is well in the world.

When you have a bad day…there’s nothing like being surrounded by the faces that make you know all is well in the world.

WARNING: TO MY DEAR MOTHER…DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT READ THIS POST.

To sum up my life this week, I will say its the end of an era. I know this is like the third or fourth blog entry that I’ve come across this week that deals with the loss of a family pet. Last night my Mom called in tears. Our “Mister” was gone. In a whirlwind of emotional rollercoasters that has been my families mantra this month, it was his time to go. For nineteen years he was part of our family. Nineteen years. That is a long time to have such a great friend. He was an Australian Shepherd and I have so many fond memories of him. I remember as kids, we were like his little “sheep”. He’d wait for all of us to walk in the door and then “herd” the last one in. Fiesty, gentle, and sweet…

The second sign that its and end of an era is good for me, sad for others. My baby brother, okay, so he’s 22…moved out here with a great friend (whom I’ve also known FOREVER) to live in AZ for bit. I’ve not lived in the same city as him for TEN years. Since he was 12. It’s such a great feeling to call him and know he’s right down the street. Today he babysat my kids and changed his FIRST diaper. (Tyler gave him a nice little initiation…atta boy Ty) Anyway, he rolled into town sportin’ his True Religion’s (I think they might fit me, he’ll never know their gone…)- Maybe he’ll spread some of his fashion sense on me..I think Brad is lovin’ it to, he’s said, “I wonder what the “boys” are doing” & “maybe the “boys” want to come over and hang out” about ten times this week. I think he always wanted a “little bro.”

Change is definitely in the air-

WARNING: TO MY DEAR MOTHER…DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT READ THIS POST.

To sum up my life this week, I will say its the end of an era. I know this is like the third or fourth blog entry that I’ve come across this week that deals with the loss of a family pet. Last night my Mom called in tears. Our “Mister” was gone. In a whirlwind of emotional rollercoasters that has been my families mantra this month, it was his time to go. For nineteen years he was part of our family. Nineteen years. That is a long time to have such a great friend. He was an Australian Shepherd and I have so many fond memories of him. I remember as kids, we were like his little “sheep”. He’d wait for all of us to walk in the door and then “herd” the last one in. Fiesty, gentle, and sweet…

The second sign that its and end of an era is good for me, sad for others. My baby brother, okay, so he’s 22…moved out here with a great friend (whom I’ve also known FOREVER) to live in AZ for bit. I’ve not lived in the same city as him for TEN years. Since he was 12. It’s such a great feeling to call him and know he’s right down the street. Today he babysat my kids and changed his FIRST diaper. (Tyler gave him a nice little initiation…atta boy Ty) Anyway, he rolled into town sportin’ his True Religion’s (I think they might fit me, he’ll never know their gone…)- Maybe he’ll spread some of his fashion sense on me..I think Brad is lovin’ it to, he’s said, “I wonder what the “boys” are doing” & “maybe the “boys” want to come over and hang out” about ten times this week. I think he always wanted a “little bro.”

Change is definitely in the air-

As I said in the previous post, our get away was great. If you’ve never met my husband, you’re missing out…he is one of a kind. While he knows how to work hard, I love the fact that he can play hard. Here are a couple shots from our trip.

One of my favorite moments was when I met my Nana’s twin (Nana would be my 4’7″ Portuguese grandma with a thick Boston accent…) Except this lady was Italian. She was a hoot. One day on the beach as we frolicked in the autumn mist in Hanalei bay (home of Puff the Magic Dragon) we were right next to the sweetest group of women ranging from about 65-85. They were all in bathing suits, building sandcastles, laughing…really living it up. At one point we overheard one lady exclaiming to another that she was 80 and still as horny as ever. AHHHHH…please someone wash my brain, remove the mental images!!!! But then I laughed and told MD, “Try not to be too grossed out, if you’re still alive, you’ll be wanting me to say that, won’t you?”

Ok, back to my Nana’s twin…She walks over and we smile. One of us casually says, “You guys sure look like you know how to have a good time.” To which she responds, “Oh face it, you know we look like a bunch of escapees from the Convalescent Home.” She was a smart aleck, hard core. I was cracking up at her comments and loved her snappy comebacks. We chatted for a minute and then supplied her with a bottle cap to use as the “eye” in her sand swordfish. We all took pride later as she received a ribbon and placed first or second in their little contest. She told us they were all kindred spirits who lived all over the world and met up once a year or so to really live it up together.

How cool is that? At any rate, I was inspired to live more, laugh more – and really enjoy life more.

As I said in the previous post, our get away was great. If you’ve never met my husband, you’re missing out…he is one of a kind. While he knows how to work hard, I love the fact that he can play hard. Here are a couple shots from our trip.

One of my favorite moments was when I met my Nana’s twin (Nana would be my 4’7″ Portuguese grandma with a thick Boston accent…) Except this lady was Italian. She was a hoot. One day on the beach as we frolicked in the autumn mist in Hanalei bay (home of Puff the Magic Dragon) we were right next to the sweetest group of women ranging from about 65-85. They were all in bathing suits, building sandcastles, laughing…really living it up. At one point we overheard one lady exclaiming to another that she was 80 and still as horny as ever. AHHHHH…please someone wash my brain, remove the mental images!!!! But then I laughed and told MD, “Try not to be too grossed out, if you’re still alive, you’ll be wanting me to say that, won’t you?”

Ok, back to my Nana’s twin…She walks over and we smile. One of us casually says, “You guys sure look like you know how to have a good time.” To which she responds, “Oh face it, you know we look like a bunch of escapees from the Convalescent Home.” She was a smart aleck, hard core. I was cracking up at her comments and loved her snappy comebacks. We chatted for a minute and then supplied her with a bottle cap to use as the “eye” in her sand swordfish. We all took pride later as she received a ribbon and placed first or second in their little contest. She told us they were all kindred spirits who lived all over the world and met up once a year or so to really live it up together.

How cool is that? At any rate, I was inspired to live more, laugh more – and really enjoy life more.