Old McDonald had a thingy (?)

I suppose it could have something to do with the fact that she is RARELY doing only one thing at a time ... but I have found (heard) that Addy's version of a few old standards is not quite the same as I remember (???)

Being a Sweet Adeline myself .... I love the fact that she hums or sings during practically every task she performs. (and as I listen to my learning tracks ... she is learning them too) ... but I'm particularly entertained when she composes on the spot. Sometimes it's a familiar tune with new lyrics, sometimes a medley of childhood faves. And all the while .... her hands (and her mind) are busy, busy, busy. While waiting for "her" Captain to return with dinner the other night (we were vacationing for the eveing at the San Luis Bay Resort) .... she was perched on a chair watching the swimmers below & singing her little heart out .... & counting people in between verses! You go girl!

tiny hands ... big ideas

her mind moves a mile a minute .... just behind her feet. (chattering away most the while)

BUT - there are those times ... when she is busy creating, humming or clicking her tongue. She has the routine figured out- pulling boxes from closets and cupboards ..... knowing they are hers to rummage through and do with as she likes. She sets up a couple of "desks" (tv trays) ... surrounds herself with the necessary tools (stickers, markers & LOTS of tape & glue) and gets down to the business of being Addy. Sometimes, she requires some back up (snacks) or takes a break to ride her bike or seek the whereabouts of the Captain or the house felines .... but before long, she is at it again. TODAY- whether it was swimming, ordering pretend pizzas on her piano phone, taking a bubble bath, or even eating ... she was 100% Addy ..... wiggling & giggling. She knows (just as I do) that as soon as she sits still for more than a moment ..... zzzzzz. And aside her now, typing upon my laptop & admiring her ..... she IS 100% sweet & precious ...... as she sleeps ! Sweet dreams little one, tomorrow awaits.

making up for lost time

there are only 2 people I am aquainted with that have changed dramatically ... for the better. Usually, when someone changes for the better- it's something they struggle with, and fall back into old habits a few times before they succeed in turning their life around. But not always (thankfully) ONE such person is my daughter, Vanessa. The changes that have taken place over the past 10 years is something she should be proud of. I know I am. She and hubby Fernando (seen here walking along here with their niece- our grandaughter, Addy) spent this weekend in our neck of the woods. When the plans were first forming, I was happy for the Captain- as I know he loves our home & knows so much about the area .... he was excited to have an opportunity to share it with her. But as the time drew nearer, I found that I too, was looking forward to sharing space with her. I texted her a few minutes ago, checking in to see that they made it home safely and telling her, again- how great it was to have them here. (& already hoping the next trip doesn't take as long to get on the calendar). Although a lot of the "plans" for the weekend didn't quite pan out .... it may have been for the better, because it was more family time without so much scheduled to do.

So, I pulled this "postcard" view from todays camera shots .... because I think the weekend with her & Fernando waspretty perfect as well!! Thanks kids XO

a large crowd of (mostly) fools ....

yesterday was warm & sunny here in our little corner of paradise.

It was also a Cal Poly holiday and, the second annual gathering of (mostly) immature, inconsiderate, & foolish young people at our local beach. Now- I'm all for enjoying a warm day by the ocean and I certainly don't mind sharing our sand, BUT .... I don't appreciate the majority of our law enforcement services being tied up as a result. (because) There was a lot of drinking, a lot of illegal (and unsafe) parking, & a lot of litter left over upon departure. Emergency services were called out more than once to save someone from his own careless choices. I gotta wonder ... if there is a better way to handle situations like these. Are the parents of under age drinkers being billed for the services required as a result of their drinking? (would they care?) Can we stand at the handful of entrances to the beach ... and send the last few stragglers back down with trash bags to clean up? It would seem we should be teaching our future generation to be more responsible, rather than cleaning up after them (in more ways than one).

I shall now return my soapbox to the closet.

spring (and friendships) continue to blossom

as the dede-lightful weather continues to romance us with it's daily caresses of sunshine, I am also warming up in my heart with the (now) softer relationships with my sisters and the strengthening of friendships that were but glimmers a few weeks ago.
I sit now, perched at my lanai table with a BEAU-tiful breakfast created by my hubby, and I would be foolish not to appreciate all that I take in visually from this spot. ahead in my yard below is 60 feet (+/-) of blooming orchids marching left to right. Some of the stalks reaching up for the warmth of the sun, others leaning over, perhaps, to sniff the fresh cut grass. I'm in no hurry to release nature's portrait ... as I have an emotional connection with these flowers that intensifies when they look so happy, BUT ... in doing so, I am no less pleased looking outward further to the azure blanket of ocean that stretches as far as the eye can see. To my left, is my 2nd backyard- that is, the backyard that I am in 2nd most often. Sometimes I tiptoe down to take pictures of the O'Brien's bloomers, or to sit at their firepit to share conversation & toasted marshmellows ... just yesterday I was there to "borrow" a couple of lemons. I love the pops of blue pottery & yard jewelry that catch the light (and my interest) .... it makes me want to go a- knockin' & have an overdue chat with my soulfriend Julie, who I totally adore ... but my senses are still enamored here for now. My fountain gurgles & giggles and glancing in it's direction on my starboard side, I admire the R,W& B of Pa's flag against the cyan sky. Joggers, cyclists, dog walkers are out & about in celebration of another day to appreciate. another gift of time. And AS IF all of this was not enough to be thankful for ... my thoughts turn to our evening of last, with Chris & Ken .... time shared still in it's early stages, but proving to be something we know will be happening again & again. People who can laugh out loud. People who appreciate life's ups & downs for the experience & humor it brings each day. We hosted a simple supper & I made triple fudge cupcakes with merangue toppings. (almost to the recipe) The Captain fired up his 25 yr old blow torch for the final touches! SO- YES, life has something good to offer EVERY day if we let it ... and boy do I try to let it every chance I get! I think I might linger here just a little while longer .... even though I have finished off the last morsel from the pretty yellow hand-me-down plate I brought home from one sister .... even though I have only a few sips left of my coffee ... in the Starbucks cup I received from another. My heart is full of joy at this moment from all the sensory triggers I'm experiencing and I want it to flourish & multiply. ahhhh .... it's good to be me. (fluff & all)

a birthday antonym (for 3/22)

come visit me, please......

the birthday bunny told me ....

some people handle the celebration of their birth better than others. there are those who bury their heads in the sand, and others who whoop & hollar to the sky. THIS "young lady" falls somewhere in between.

AND BECAUSE she is so smart, & funny, & beautiful, & thoughtful and best of all- my friend .... I can't let the day go by without a little cheering from me- for the day she was born!!

SPRING dun sprunged here

here-bouts in paradise .... our trees & bushes and flowering plants don't pay any attention to the calendar. They be a-bloomin' whenever they darn well please. I admit that they are a bit more festive this time of year ... but only because they seem to like natures watering over mine!! Mom Betty would be so proud of her little "babies" ... they have almost tripled since they moved here!

I'm having trouble getting out of my fur coat!!

because there is a certain puddy tat ....
that just doesn't wanna leave my side! Even with the chilly weather lately, she is shedding and therefore ... I get to "wear her" around throughout the day. That is, until she trusts that I won't be leaving again anytime soon. THEN ... she will simply just hang around in the same room :o) I love my furry friend!

dismantling the clown

I am sitting in MY OWN bed.... atop a lovely pale, sage green duvet cover that protects my yummy down comforter. And I'm purring. That is to say, if I could do such a thing ... you would be able to hear it through my fingertips that dance upon this laptop at the moment. I LOVE being home. My hubby slumbers peacefully next to me (he loves me being home too), my kitty kat is sleeping at the end of the bed, with a paw draped across my ankle (yes, her too). I have scrubbed the last of the warpaint from my face, laid my newly acquired Sweet Adeline medals on the night stand, and opened the slider slightly so I can hear the fountainthe lanai. I enjoyed a long conversation with Pa over a Joe's steak, caught up on my WWF games I missed over the past 4 days, rinsed the evidence of the weekend from my stage costume & tucked all my performance "supplies" into their storage space. I was encouraged to enjoy a long, cozy bubble bath with a brewed latte (and complied), and am currently counting my blessings. They include, but are not limited to .... a husband (& Pa) that support (and help) in the preparation & participation of my music... spending time with amazing women (and a select few that I am particularly attached to) .... my mom & dad watching me perform from the highest vantage point (they will never be too busy again) .... being welcomed home with much ado .... being rewarded for a lot of dedication and hard work .... and coming home without feeling guilty for being away! It was a fast paced, late nighted, talk-a-liscious weekend with an anxiety ridden potential that never came a callin'..... and as happy as I am to be home, I look forward to the next challenge that brought it all on. & tomorrow is another opportunity for just that!

musical jewelry

This was a L-O-N-G weekend.

a REALLY, long, exhausting, exhilarating, rewarding weekend.

I loved it ... and EVERYTHING it included!

cat-titude

I can't imagine why ANYONE would think our cats are spoiled. CERTAINLY we never gave anyone that impression?!! It's WE who are spoiled .... given the fact that occassionally they let

us sleep on "our" bed too. That is .... if we don't take up too much room!