Luckily, I stumbled upon some pics of long ago...my mom, being the picture hoarder that she is, has most of my school age pics. So, my reenactment of my way younger years is as follows.
Meet my beloved "Bear-Bear" He is the maroon, stuffed friend in my lap. Bear-Bear has been everywhere with me, including Japan. He was my best friend, and participated in many roles. He has been in "time-out", my student (thankfully Bear-Bear was smart), my "baby", soaked in some tears, and snuggled many times. I can still remember what he smells like. Bear-Bear is still alive and kicking, but my mom is holding him hostage...imagine that?
Next up: Japan. I have no recollection of this, except some cool pics.
Birthday: Common thread here...something always on my head. Jeeeez mom....
I didn't do it...I swear...it was Bear-Bear!
Whew..still managed to stay on the "good" list...everything is Merry again...
Looking through old pictures today was like taking a time machine to the past. I had a wonderful childhood, and hope to instill the same love, festivities, and values in my own daughter. Thank goodness for pictures that capture forever moments in time.
I hear it all the time..the older we get, the less we celebrate. There's something that changes in our psyche from young birthday celebrations that involve months of party planning to..hmmm.."older" celebrations where you just don't have "time" to bother. A friend of mine whos birthday was fast approaching, was reflecting on her new age: 27. Not quite ready to be shopping around for a major push-up bra, but not exactly 21 anymore. She said, " 27 is the age my mom always said she was on all her future birthdays.....wow...I'm at that number now."
After thinking about what she said, I realized the age difference in 27 and my ripe age of 35. I am on the uphill to 40. Forty? No way, I'm still 23 inside. Then it occurred to me, age really is just a number....or am I just saying that because I'm "older" now? After contemplating this thought I've come to the conclusion that I'm still the me I was at 21..add that to some momentous life experiences and I'd say my number is fitting.
So, my point is... celebrate your number no matter what it is.
It's not everyday that you get to dive into brightly colored tissue paper searching for that wonderment of surprise...
or actually order something from the menu that's described as "stuffed" or "smothered"...without feeling guilty.
Life is short, embrace the festivities.....
P.S.>> don't forget to blow out your candles; make a wish to enjoy life, and welcome all the numbers to come.
I'm going to expose many elements of myself in listing just "some" of my favorite things, including my inner...(ahhh who am I kidding?) My outer Geek. At any point in a day I can revolve around the ages of 8-75 years of age. For example:
One of my favorite apps:
Yes, that's right...Good ol' farts. Some examples to use this brilliant app are in a quiet, stiff, conference room where everyone is waiting for the enticing subject of Regulation E. (Referring to my bank days). Push the button for "Burrito Maximo" then turn to your co-worker and ask them if "they are okay?"
My favorite rule breaker: My little friend I call "Speedito" This little guy has saved me lots of money. It's just so hard to drive sloooow. I implore all you non speed limit rule breakers.
One last "geek-out". Donkey Kong country is one of my favorite Wii games. Thank goodness I teach kids..I have had to seek their counsel many a time on how to get past level 7.
Okay, I'll act my age now. Open windows on a breezy day are a must because I feel there is no substitute for fresh air.
Favorite flower: Tulips are complex and simple all wrapped in one. I love their bright colors and the simplicity of their petals. Put a bouquet of tulips on your dining table and watch the room light up.
My favorite name? Mommy. Kelsey is 11 years old and she still calls me "mommy" I hope it stays that way forever.
Once January passes by I am usually planning a vacation for Kelsey and me that involves plane tickets, hotels, and a new destination book. However, this year we both just really wanted to catch up on some R&R and girlie time. I have to say this has been one of the most memorable spring breaks thus far. We had leisurely breakfasts together, I got caught up on all the 5th grade comings and goings (eeeeesh..please say high school gets easier??!), and we have indulged in most all of our favorites. We had one thing left on our "to-do" list: "A girl's day". That leads me to our quick venture out of Tarrant county. Here is part of it:
Lantana is actually quite beautiful. We enjoyed the scenic drive along the winding roads looking at the landscape of cattle mixed in with..... mansions?!? Yep, some even looked like castles. Ahhh the great state of Texas..every mansion must have a longhorn in the distance. I'd like to say we stopped and ventured out, but we really just drove through to get to our destination: The Shops at Highland Village.
Kelsey has come to the age where she is going to seriously hurt my pocketbook. Long gone are the days when I could buy her those little white MaryJanes with the lace socks..especially since she's now a whopping shoe size 8! She thinks her size 8 foot should entail the graduation from converse to "big-girl" shoes. I always let her try them on for fun, but she still looks like my little girl in overgrown heels.
And of course, no day is complete without hitting up Barnes and Noble. Like the dummy I am, I got a new book that will hopefully help me figure out what those wrench button things are!
As I was perusing the Dummy section, I came across these two in the College aisle.
I was shocked! This is my friend Kym. Now for a second they had me fooled and jumping for joy that they were intently researching colleges. Until I noticed something odd in the upper right corner of the magazine. I decided to sneak around the other aisle...and uh...they were so busted!
Yep...I've been had again..I should have known. I'm not sure who has more of a crush on the "Biebs..." Kym or Kelsey?..Hmmm... wonder if they have "How to raise an 11 year-old for Dummies?"
Overall, it was a productive day. We all found something "Springy", and enjoyed the outdoor shopping comparable to Southlake minus the crowds.
Days like this spent with friends and my sweet Kelsey will be archived in my memories as times of leisure..You know, where you actually stop and sit by the fountain to relish the sound of the water while basking in the sun.
It's interesting to hear about one's mental outlets. We are unique and our versions of escape tend to flow with our personalities. My inner athelete tells me my form of escape should be this:
or maybe this:
but in reality I despise running, and my thoughts are like fireworks..constantly shooting off different ideas and making connections off of each other ...I know..I know..you're supposed to supress all thoughts in meditation..picture a white wall..tried that once, but I kept adding crown molding to my wall, then I thought one side should be painted dark chocolate. Eeeesh!
So, when I want to evade reality these are things I love and soothe my soul.
First: Books...I'm obsessed with books..all kinds..professional reading, historical fiction, destination books, trashy girl drama books, cookbooks, children's books, and lots more. I love the smell of books..yep..I'm a book sniffer..you've seen those weirdos who read the back cover and then flip quickly through the book.. inhaling deeply..I can't believe I'm admitting this. My friends tease that they are going to find me a book scented candle. I do not own a Nook, because Nooks don't smell..no really, I just haven't gotten over my love of holding a book, the crisp sound when you turn the page, or how you can see the visual progress you've made all the while dreading the end.
Second: Music...is my form of meditation. It clears my mind and enables me to experience that euphoria that could equivalate to the "runner's high", okay, that was dramatic, but you get the idea. My inbox is flooded with emailed iTunes reciepts of music we have bought. I might need an intervention. As far as what I listen to, my music taste is quite similar to my book taste...all over the place. These are a few of my favorites: Sting, Sade, Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash..The Beatles, there are too many. Lately, I'm in love with Mumford and Sons, they are a little alternative mixed in with some blue grass.
Third: Movies with my sweet girl. Kelsey and I are constantly checking out the flixster app on my phone. We can tell you when the lastest movie is coming out, who's going to be in it, etc. Even though there is an auditorium filled with people, I get lost in the story and forget I'm not alone...but I do manage to keep my laughing/snorting under control...ahem...Kym... Snacks are a must..I feel cheated if I don't get popcorn (no butter please). It's part of the "experience"...thus I don't mind paying $6 for a small bag.
Last, but not least: Laughter. I hear the quiet giggles of my daughter, and wonder where she got her grace from. My laugh sounds more like dogs barking, but it has gusto and meaning. I can't fake a laugh. Laugh is contagious, sometimes in the theater I laugh more from the way someone else laughs then the comedy of the movie. And if you snort..forget it..I'm on the floor. It is a wonderful feeling that happens to burn some calories in the process. Thank goodness since the common pattern of my escape is sitting on my "beee-hind"
Whatever you do for your escape...I hope you laugh along the way.
The only rule to this challenge was that it couldn't be a "chain" restaurant. Easy enough, with two major metroplex cities within 30 miles of each other. Luckily, I landed an evening of abundant laughter and delectable food. What else do you need?..... Well, I forgot my ice chest (BYOB)
Pollenzo's Pizza House in Keller was everything I was looking for in a family-owned pizza restaurant.
Warning: When you walk in, your senses are immediately overwhelemed with the smell of fresh bread and Italian spices. Not to mention...CHEESE....my restaurant ettiquete and manners escaped me as I rudely stared at what everyone was eating. (So..can I have a bite of that?)
The atmosphere was cozy, dim lighting with tables, and booths. They had the necessary Frank Sinatra playing that set the mood...now if I had only remembered my Sauvignon..
The menu had everything from
Salads: This dinner salad had garbanzo beans, pine nuts, prosciutto, feta, with a roasted garlic vinagrette salad dressing.
And finally, the Pizza: Wood oven fired crust with just the right amount of tasty toppings. I ordered the "Peppered Pig"....what can I say..it had me at "feta"
And for you artichoke lovers...there's always the Artichoke Chicken Pizza
Hope you are excited to try out this delicioso restaurant, and if you do...call me..I haven't had my daily does of feta yet.
There is something about the Dallas skyline at night that is mesmerizing. I have to remind myself not to stare up and gaze at the brilliantly lit up skyscrapers as I'm driving on I-45 through downtown. (avoid driving beside a white Accord once the sun goes down, sometimes I have steal a glance) This has been something I've been in awe over since I was young. I used to tell my parents I was going to live on the 30th floor in a high rise apartment building. (Ummm try 2nd floor of a low-rise apartment), but that's the great thing of being a child..no dream is too big! I also love the coziness of a lamp at night. The soft illumination it gives off makes me want to curl up with a great book and read into the wee hours of the night. What does night make you think of? I asked my sweet girl, Kelsey, and she said..."sleep, mom" ...I love her simplicity.
If you know me well, you know I currently have five big projects going on as we speak. I am trying to narrow them down to two: understanding and implementing all features of my new camera, and adding the necessary "fluff" to my blog. What are those wrench button things anyway? I have to thank my friend Amanda for helping center my header and background. I'm on a new quest to learn to read/write HTML, but that's project #6. For now, this is just a creative way to display my random thinking, and to share life events with family. (the digital way)
