Shades of my Mothers

Some of you are lucky. You have one mom. Although life has been hard at times, I am even luckier. I have two. After reading my sister's blogs, I realize it's the time of year to recognize our mothers. I try to do this -- at least mentally -- more than once a year, but Hallmark made it official, so I better get on board.

Since I'm getting older (the doctor reminded me as he gave me the mail-in pouch for over 40 year olds for a colon test where in I'm supposed to swipe poop on a slide with a stick...isn't this the job for curious 3-year old boys??? Full circle, my friends, full circle!) -- I now have a better perspective of how my two mom's have and do influence my life.

Here's how:

My mom is always worrying. As daughters, we proudly carry on that tradition giving up sleep over pending pandemics, earthquakes, food shortages, chem trails and nuclear bombs. Oh no, wait, that's what she worries about. I worry about rattlesnakes, high school and the inflating spare tire around my waistline. Still, I worry. And for all the right reasons...

My mom is a busy body. She's always cooking, gardening, folding, mending, cleaning, writing, teaching, helping, serving, learning. I'm a busy body, too. I'm always driving in the car, volunteering for something (while my husband is rolling his eyes and shaking his head), teaching, watching, dining out, buying new cleats, planning, gardening, mowing, pulling weeds, blogging, organizing, mopping. Really, I don't have ADD. I'm just hard working and devoted just like my mother.

My mom is ever a mother. I think I will be, too. She has no idea I'm in my 40's, married 15 years, with 3 children...she still sometimes sends birthday cards with my maiden name on it. She KNOWS I need her help. She's ever telling us, lovingly, how to be a better mother even though she doesn't know it! We know it comes from a pure place (a Reliv conference or a Preparedness seminar) -- it's just unstoppable. She can't help herself. She wants the best for her children. She always puts us first. I try to do the same. I love my children with an intensity. I am starting to get it, Mom. We don't take it personally, like she's telling us we're doing it wrong cuz that isn't it. She's just loving us the best way she knows how. (Don't worry Mom, I've got my sunscreen on, a hat, and I have some Energize in my water bottle for this hot weather coming up). We love her even more for it. It brings a smile to my face every day.

For that matter, my mom is ALWAYS smiling. What a gift. What a treasure. She has a song in her voice. Julie Andrews learned it from her. When my friends first meet her, that image stays with them and they mention it to me later. I don't have that gift. I have a smile, but it's not there all the time. I get some of the other stuff from my Dad -- who is wonderful, too -- just not always humming the "Life is wonderful" song. But what a lesson. She bares big burdens but rarely complains. Just worries. And tries to make things the best they can be. Tries to be proactive. I hope I learn more from you before I leave this earth, Mom! I hope to have a heart as big as you someday and find ways to quench my thirst for all there is to learn and enjoy. The longer I live, the more I realize how much I am my mother. And I realize my mom is one of my best friends. I'm sure I wouldn't have predicted that when I was 15 years old!

Now there's Kay. She came into my life during a tumultuous time, not trying to be a mother, but more so as a friend. She knew where the line had been drawn in the sand. She knew I knew I already had a mother. (And really...what teenager invites MORE parents into their world???) She taught me through example: independence, respect, thoughtfulness, friendship, support and unconditional love. When I met her, her boys were nearly grown -- in college and moving forward with their lives. She'd never had a daughter and I'm sure I was more than she bargained for. She showed me so much patience. She stepped back when she needed to, but never squashed my feelings or my ambitions. But she did call a spade a spade. She was a business woman and very hard working. Frankly, my Dad and Kay spoiled me in an "only child" kind of way. After all, I was the only child living with them in that household when the other kids weren't visiting. I have fond "only child" memories with them -- driving to Half Moon Bay for breakfast and feeling the ocean air on my face. Driving to Redwood City for a taco off a truck. Dinner at Scott's Seafood. (It wasn't ALL about food)! Little things that felt big. But mostly support. She really showed me how to support my children without doing it for them. That is a gift, too. And while I don't see her now nearly often enough because she lives a few states away, every time I write a thank you card or teach my children to do so, I think of her. Because that's always what she did because that is what should be done.

So far be it for me to be the only sister not to recognize mothers. My mothers! And far be it for me to not thank them for giving and loving and sharing with each other. They are both strong women...I hope to be counted as one of the group someday.

My life has been colored by my Mother's. And I'm grateful to display shades of their artistry in me.

Happy Mother's Day!

What? Nothing to Say?

I haven't had a lot to say these days -- BLOG-wise -- as you can tell. I do get a fair amount of grief from a certain citrus fruit on this one semi-regularly. However, this is just a sign that I'm super busy in my "real" life and the daily details aren't interesting enough to share. Either that, or I've talked on the phone to my family and we've already swapped stories, so they know it already. I guess that is life...mundane, sometimes.

I was laughing at RAC's blog about Liz getting reports from her children about how so-and-so's mother yells at them...when just this morning I had my favorite talk radio morning show on while I was driving my kids to school...these 2 guys always crack me up. They were talking about our Govenator (did you notice the spelling...you know...AHHHH-nold "Terminator" "CA Governor" Swarznegger..."I'll be back" -- if he can remember to come back after toking it up...anyway...oh yeah...back to my story...). Arnie has brought up the debate again about legalizing marijuana here. So the radio guy says "What do I care if the guy is a total Pothead and wants to waste his life away taking a drug that makes you un-motivated?" My son in the back, melting his own brain playing his Nintendo DS while I drive, perks up and laughs: "POTHEAD?! What is a POTHEAD?" I could just envision my son, today, on the playground at Kindergarten calling his goofy friend "POTHEAD!" Oh good grief. There's a call I look forward to getting. Then I can explain how I'm such a good parent by not discerning what's appropriate to listen to and what's not. Maybe I can tell them we're watching Law & Order: Criminal Intent later, too! The school bell can't ring soon enough today.

But I thank my son for that important, albeit hilarious reminder (you should have heard his voice) that I need to be more careful. Even when you don't think they are listening...heaven help us!

And proof that they are listening...I said something on Sunday to Lindsay about part of her outfit. Can't quite remember what I said, but Lindsay tried to defend herself saying Dad said it was okay. Her sister piped up: "Lindsay...your first problem is that you looked to Dad for fashion advice. You have to go to Mom!" Ahhh...some lessons have been taught and reinforced and are being passed down through the generations. Through our laughter, I felt pride. They DO listen!!!

Happy Hump Day. And BE CAREFUL!

Diary of a Mad White Woman

I know I'm crazy. I know it. I ALWAYS bite off more than most people can chew. Some days are demanding from start to finish. I have a volunteer habit. I've had it for a long time. When I quit working, I felt a void. I needed to fill it. I've done various things (non church related) over the years. PTC president for 2 years, Room Mom for 3 years straight, coaching soccer, Brownie Troop Leader for years, Coach Coordinator for our Community soccer program, etc. These are not positions to be taken lightly. You get the picture. These days, I work for my husband, which could also be considered a volunteer position, or even marriage counseling. :) My latest assignment is Uniform Coordinator for our soccer club. I mean, really, how hard could it be? Oh...that's why they needed someone. Lightbulb moment.

Right now I'm putting on the life preserver cuz the dam is about the break. Oh, the problems! You get to see the good in people and the bad. Sometimes that'll make you feel flat out superior just watching other peoples ingratitude and selfishness. But mostly, you work with other volunteers who work just as hard as you do on behalf of 100's of families for the greater good. This has been harder than I thought it would be. But what I love about volunteer work is how you manage to separate these problems from other things. They aren't MY problems...but they are problems. What are the solutions? I find pleasure in seeking out the answers.

Meanwhile, I'm searching, making lunches, running to drop off and pick up kids, make choices about what events I can attend, occassionally dust, fix dinner or vacuum and still maintain my footing. Yesterday, the wind died down and so I decided my husband could go watch Mal conquer her track meet (which, naturally, she posted PR's on both the mile and 800) and I decided to take Lindsay and Hayden to the park. This is a beautiful park with a stream running through it, a brand new large play structure along a smaller one, and fields of green grass, park benches and shade trees. They each took a friend...played tag, made stick boats and watched them float down the stream. We soaked up the rays of the warming sunshine. I basked in the peace and simplicity of the experience. And yet, I probably wouldn't have valued it quite the same way had I not needed a break from the business at hand.

I love being busy. And I love small moments.

And now...off to treasure a moment of fun with friends at CPK and enjoy a salad pizza. That for Grapefruit and RAC Mom. WYWH!

Celebrations

This month has been full of celebrations. First there was Easter. Pretty tame, but still, it's a celebration. My husband just turned 48. That's right, we're over the 40 mark driving 100 mph to the 50 mark. My younger sister often reminds me all the while thoroughly enjoying our age difference. She's younger and prettier, but I'm wiser! (Isn't that how it goes?) We're not too big on surprises and blow out parties at our house. But my husband is a man and a father that deserves to be recognized. He's a very attentive father and loves to be involved in his kids lives. He pretty much gives me free reign -- which is a big "I love you" in and of itself. He's not good at romantic surprises or unexpected boquets of flowers. But he loves me and I know it. That is a daily gift. So here he is with his most precious gifts...plus a new tube for the boat. (A close second?) The kids worked hard to surprise him while he was at work they made cards, blew up a ton of balloons attached them various places as well as letting them dance along the floor. They taped their cards to the boat tube box and made him a fresh batch of brownies. That and a BBQ and we were good to go. My hubby wouldn't have it any other way. Right up his alley and he never had to leave the house. That's HIS kind of party.


My girls were in a wedding -- they lit candles at their cousin's wedding. Lindsay's hands were shaking like crazy! While they've outgrown the cinderella style of their childhood -- they still looked so beautiful and sweet in their dresses. Hayden's smile is goofy, as usual!



This isn't a celebration, but he does look dapper in his button down shirt. Only a boy could find two sticks and use them as shot guns during a wedding celebration, eh?


The egg-dying tradition...


And finally, no pictures for this one. Mallory has to try-out for her soccer team every year as it's competitive soccer. You can make it one year, but not necessarily the next. So it's always a nail-biter. I got the call today at 2 pm from the coach...I happily went to school with a jug of ice water for my daughter before track practice (it's 97 degrees here today!!!) and told her the good news. Joy and relief crossed her face. I got a big hug in return. That is cause for celebration. Here's to all the little celebrations as well as the big ones. Life is sweet!

Tales from The Wild Side

Jack Hanna -- eat your heart out! I've got stories from Wildlife Suburbia. I've shared stories of snakes, and skunks, squirrels who dig holes and plant acorns from nearby oak trees that are now spreading their roots growing oaks trees in my yard where I don't need them! But this one, this story, it boggles the mind.

This day I am awakened long before my alarm was set to go off, I open my eyes as the gobble gobble gobble of mating turkeys call outside my window, relentlessly, too loud and annoying to ignore. Over and over again. (Sidenote: to make matters worse, not only do we start the day with this sound, but my hubby pulls in the driveway, opens his door, and "gobble gobble gobble's" his way right into those turkey's hearts when he gets home. His secret talent is bird caller. America's Got Talent anyone?) Just this past weekend we counted no less than 25 turkeys right out in our driveway. They live in the field next to our house during the spring. I'd invite a rattlesnake/turkey contest just to keep the noise level down. So it's no secret we do not live alone out here. Lots of critters to keep us company. We don't call the police for late night parties, we call animal control and Federal Trappers!

So a good friend of mine was on a walk with a friend. They came upon a distraught woman just down the street from my house. She looked as if she'd been crying and asked my friends if they'd seen a little dog that looked lost. They answered no and struck up a conversation about the dog. She said she went out into her backyard the night prior to let the dog go to the bathroom, and as she was standing there watching the dog on her lawn, a large owl swooped down from the night sky and picked up that little dog, never to be seen again! Right in front of her eyes! The owl was not deterred by her presence, and it was over before she knew it began!

So I ask you...why do these "circle of life" events not happen to my dog? I know, I know...I'm mean. We've often said a hawk could come down right out of those huge oak trees they live in and scoop up our Annie. The RIP dog was just under 10 lbs. Annie is just weighing in at 11 1/2 pounds. I've since shared this story with my girls and immediately Lindsay changed the rules.

"Annie is NOT allowed outside unsupervised!" Yeah, right. Whatever. I swore I'd never let her out in the yard again without us after the rattlesnake bite event and the vet bill that followed. But little dogs love the sun and a warm sidewalk (just like snakes)...so how can I deprive her? Now we just figure if there's a bite, there's a long hard free road to meet her maker. Because we've travelled down that road, and it was expensive! One time only.

So this is for my sister who just yesterday said: "Whatever. I'm quite sure you live in a castle." (She's never been here). My response: "Whatever! It's more like a den!"

Stay tuned for more tales from The Wonderful World of Wildlife. For now, it's cleaning up dog poop, scooping the cat box, and scraping turkey droppings from the driveway with a shovel. You'd think they'd have someone hired to do that on a castle-like set as this?!

Sloppy What?

The other day my sister told me she made these Sloppy Joes that were so good her family devoured them. Sloppy Joes. That took me right back to our dinner table on Hamilton Avenue excited about eating. It took me back to younger faces of my siblings surrounding a table. White hamburger buns. And my mom rarely bought anything white. Heck, she made a lot of the bread we ate. But certainly didn't buy AIR bread on a regular basis. Hamburger buns were a treat!

Anyway, after hearing how my sister's family delighted in such a simple pleasure, I was eager to do the same. So...Lindsay sat down at the table and an immediate look of questioning crossed her face.

"What's this?" It was as if I was forcing her to eat hot lunch. Come to think of it, it maybe wasn't far from the truth of the matter.

To make the situation at hand even worse, her Dad started laughing.

In my defense: "It's Sloppy Joes! They are SO good. I used to eat them all the time when I was a kid. You have to eat it." Right then I transformed into my mother. Another look then crossed Lindsay's face after sampling my culinary treasure. It was a look of disgust.

"Lindsay...you have to eat most of it." I could see it was hard for her to swallow. I guess times have changed. Enough so that I won't be making Sloppy What again! So tonight...Hamburger Helper?

Spring Fever

Spring Break is here. And we took full advantage...weather arrived as ordered!
Started with sleeping in til 9 am. (Thanks, honey).


Seeing this always puts me in a good mood!


These never disappoint.



Do you need a reason for cake? It's one more excuse to have something for the kids to put whipped cream on!

Chicken Apple Salad. YUMMO! (Yummo courtesy of Rachel Ray).

At this point, Hayden hasn't realized his hair is sticking up or he'd be spazzing! Is he not cute or what! (Not biased at all).

Rummikub in the sun. Notice the dog on Mal's towel. What a princess!

Gimpy Dave giving Hayden's one and only golf club a try. He said it made for a nice putter. Does he get a handicap for a sprained ankle or for just being special? (You know what I mean, right Bex?)

Chillin' in the garage while the track is being constructed.

Attention! Children's imagination at work!

This is the bike track -- many upsides to this very large driveway!

(We went out and bought chalk after this...way too much cleanup!)

(This is a video, Mom...press play)! :)

Who needs a pool? This is regular stuff at our house.

The end. Monday is just hours away.