AYE ... thar be pirate ships & pirate forts & pirate movie popcorn

the skies were holding the sunshine hostage for much of today- & with a houseguest with the sniffles ... we felt it advisable to find other means of recreation as the fog rolled in (& out) time & again.  Keeping boredom at bay doesn't seem to be an issue.... ME, keeping up with all their ideas ... now that's a different story!  The theme, as you might imagine, seems to be consistent throughout this day even though availability to the outdoor ship was quite limited...

Post breakfast activities did not require a dress code, so they could start immediately.  With a healthy supply of markers, & protected with aprons ... they addressed the painting of their boats with concentrated effort.  The Captain was as buried in paperwork ... as the munchkins were in balsa wood, giving me the opportunity to get a manicure & some much appreciated solace.

A bit later ...
while considering options ... a brown-eyed (know it all) decided that making a fort would be a really kewl idea ... and it turned out to be just that.  With 3 sheets, a couple of blankets, a multitude of stuffed animals, and a couple of LED lanterns ("just in case we want to sleep here") ... the 2 hermits played games in hiding, while I tidied up the craft studio.


So now- midway into the evening ... having filled our tummies with with grilled chicken & corn on the cob (& leftover artichokes) at suppertime ... the youngins' (and the household's eldest) are nearly comatose with concentration while watching ... you guessed it ... a pirate movie!!!

While Anthony feels dressing the part enhances his theatrical experience ... Addy seems to be taking it a bit more seriously ... asking questions ... wanting it paused for a potty break ... questioning where the popcorn is ....

With an occasional inquiry of "what are we doing tomorrow?", followed by "how many days before we see mommy & daddy?" ... the evening will soon draw to a close, teeth will be brushed, & jammies- will transform the chatty, curious, analytical, little love bugs into sleeping beauties!

small hands, big winnings

I played hooky from chorus rehearsal tonight, without a single guilt pang of hint of regret.  With the grand kids here & some meetings & obligations that seem to be pulling either the Captain or myself away at times .. I decided this was one of those times ... I could make them the priority!!  AND I DID .......  our first venture into pirate-opoly was boisterous & filled with giggles.  With the rules stating that ARRGGH be used "like you mean it" ... our voices were heard loud & clear by the Captain who was trying to "budget" upstairs.   Eventually, he gave up & came down to join the party.  Little Addy ... in her good humor & good sportsmanship just played to be playing & ended up with the majority of the booty at games end.  Then off to bed they padded with only moments of snuggle before each was snoozing deeply.

ANOTHER GOOD DAY with my sweeties !!

the clues were followed to get to the treasure maps .... the treasure maps were followed to get to the treasure chests .... the treasure chests were carried onto the pirate ship ... the pirates hauled in a good amount of booty!

the pirates are tucked warm & safe in their bunks .. amid their pillow pets and chenille bunny & frog.  With tummies full of tortellini, they nestled into gramma & grampa's laps for a bit of TV ... but before long ... lids were droopy & off to bed they went without question.  By now, certainly there are dreams of temporary tattoos, lunch time on their "yacht", milk chocolate coins, & mounds of crayons .. all waiting for another day!  The house (and yard) was filled with laughter & love this afternoon, and it's only just begun! 

the Easter Bunny is bringing my "goodies" early.  I guess I have been such a good girl that I deserve them a week early!!
As you might expect ... there will be much sugar involved.
And noise.
It just might be the best-est spring break I've ever had!

I can't wait  :o)

A 6 year old "yesterday"

There are memories that fade or become distorted with time.  Dates or timing that waivers.  And there are those etched on one's heart as if very little time has passed.  TOday, we returned to a Chinese take out joint that we used to go to at least once a week.  To this day, I have yet to find another chicken salad the way they made it (among other things).  I was leery about planning our lunch there .. knowing so much time has past and perhaps .. my memories of how "good" it was ... could be less than reliable since it's been at least 6 years since our last visit.  I would rather remember what it used to be like, rather than be disappointed that it's gone or changed!  BUT IT WASN'T!  Even the employees were the same.  And the salad .... excellent!
In a perfect world, we should be so lucky to NOT be disappointed or saddened by memories... we should be lucky enough to forget the bad  memories and ONLY remember the good ones.  But life isn't as graceful & loving as that.  Tomorrow will be the 6th anniversary of losing the best friend I've ever had.  Not to short change the friends I have made since ... but in all honesty, no one could ever replace this woman.  Her name was Betty (still is, I suppose).  She was the first person who ever excepted me for exactly who I was.  She adored me.  She loved me completely.  And these things I reciprocated in full ... making her death, one of the most difficult events I have ever experienced.  Rarely a day goes by that I don't think of her in some way, there was so much more we had planned to do together.  She has only visited me once since she left this physical world ... but I look forward to another ... any day, any time ... hopefully soon.

the "skinny" on being skinny

AKA ... the naked truth about being naked (in more ways than one) ....
Last night, we watched The Sessions.  Maybe enough said.
BUT- then, I wouldn't be much of a ponderer if I let it go would I?
Good movie, interesting story.  Nudity done effectively.  BUT...
the s-t-r-e-t-c-h of Ms Hunt's face was distracting.  And unattractive.  Her body looked great.  Her face- not so much.  There MUST BE a criteria used in Hollywood that us "normal" folks just don't get.  Looking refreshed, looking younger, looking rested ... I get (I wish I could afford to get too). BIG lips & skin that has been stretched or injected so much that eyes are 2/3 their size, & ending up with a lack of ability to SEE emotion on someone's face ???  I just don't get.  I've seen beautiful women turn odd looking.  I've seen the softness that aging skin can bring ... turn hard, cold, & boney.
wassup wit dat????
When I get a large dose of the above- thru TV, or movies, or magazines ... it makes my gobbler & sagging smile ... a badge of honor somehow.  I'm not trying to fool anyone, and IF I MADE a mil here & a mil there on movies ... I would save a chunk for my old age, instead of avoiding it!
ok, NOW enough said.

the ones we leave behind

Our regional competition (barbershop harmony) is this coming weekend.  This is an event that takes about 60 rehearsals, 2-4 coaching sessions, a retreat weekend & a few section rehearsals!  It is NOT a hobby" for light weights.  It requires time, commitment, mental gymnastics, courage, concentration, flexibility, and trust- to make a good showing and sometimes ... that ain't even enough!

It's also a time of year when old man flu & his cousin the cold- hits with frequency ... and as a result .. we are down a couple of members that we'd hoped NOT to do without.  Health, life (and sometimes death) can get in the way of a fully executed plan that has been a year in the making, but worse yet ... having to leave behind those who worked hard and cannot be on stage with us.  We tell them they will be in our hearts ... and they most certainly are.  But we also tell them they will NOT be on our minds ... for that 6 minutes on stage when the only thing we should be thinking of is SENDING our sound to the audience!

For those left behind this year ... it's no different.  We'll miss you & we'll try to do you proud!

it's in the bag!!!

the last few days have been FILLED with trips up & down the stairs  (a GOOD thing)  I've been in & out of the craft room where there has been miles of piles, & stacks of packs of  "things" to place into the legion of gift bags you see here.  This officially signals THE WEEK OF contest.  The bags are for quartets we will be competing against.  It's a good luck tradition of the Sweet Adelines organization.  I'm sure it started with cards once upon a time ... but has morphed into satchels containing useful items for the weekend ... along with some item or decoration indicative of the quartet you are receiving it from.   Some foursomes just toss it together ... others put in a great deal of thought.  Imagine ... receiving 20 of these puppies to dig into ?!!

 in between journeys below to gather goodies .... a multitude of emails from chorus members with last minute questions, finalizing costuming, rehearsing, beautifying, and keeping up with MY OWN day-to-day chores .... I allowed myself to sit in front of this puzzle for a bit each day, to just "veg".  I looked forward to it, & at times, it was what motivated me to GET THINGS DONE, so I could return to it!!

fallen petals

the moment I caught sight of the condition of my white rose bouquet yesterday, the title of this blog was set.  Coincidentally ... it was the anniversary of my father's passing, and that made the phrase even more meaningful (and emotional).  My sisters posted some great pictures of their personal adventures with him ... some of which I hadn't seen before.  The smiles were heart warming and my comment on one was how it seems like only months ago since he died... but that I felt like I had been missing him so much longer than that.  He was a really special man, a true "dad".  I don't have any of his belongings or pieces of him or my mom here with me .. so a picture of the past or a comment the Captain & I share that we used to hear them say .. is what I rely on to remember them daily.
This particular set of roses is from our own yard.  I bought the bush a few days after Pa Bill died last July (my wonderful father-in-law).  I haven't had rose bushes for many years and yet when I saw this one .. it immediately made me think of he & mom Betty.  It blooms regularly and stands guard at what used to be their patio door.  SO many things of theirs now nestles in various corners of our home.  Seems fitting, since the Captain & I have a lot in common with how their relationship worked .. and they were 69 year role models of marriage for us!
SO- though the roses have been "recycled" into the garden now .... the memories that they brought into my heart still linger ... a little closer to the surface for a few days, I'm sure.  And those last 4 stars in the sky tonight?  THAT would be the 4 of them ... reminding me that they are in a good place and best of all .. together with their true loves!  (I love & miss you all)

taking time to stop and smell the sunshine(?)

someone told me recently that something was "lingering" in my near future that would feel joyous to me ... this might be it.  I am doing one of the things that brings a smile to my entire being (actually many things do).
appreciating my life.
I am enjoying the 70+ degree, clear & blue-skyed day while skimming the last of my February magazines, catching up with reading & sending emails, researching/designing the flour-de-fluff the chorus may be wearing for competition, & waiting for the latest load of laundry to signal it's tumble finish.  The Captain has just returned home from a few hours of paddle boarding, and is enjoying a patio luncheon aside me.  Monkey is sleeping in a patch of sunlight despite her coffee consumption this morning.  Bottom line ... all is well (better than well to be truthful).
I wonder how much of my craft room I can move out here?!!!

the inner circle ....

Many people have wandered in & out of my life ...  close friendships that meant a lot to me ... and were a  disappointment when distance separated us.  As the age gap between my sisters & I narrowed, they too became trusted friendships.  But time & circumstances have changed the relationships between us as well and we are back to being sisters moreover.  Life's needs and priorities change with maturity and I've discovered that fine line between having friends and having real friendships.  I am most thankful to have found the latter at a point in my life when I can truly appreciate them.  Instead of having a significant number of friends, with most populating the outer 3rd circle, a few mid circle residents and a couple who seem to wander back & forth .... I have a full circle that I hold close to my heart.  They are the ones who listen long before they speak, who share & even relish in any joy I wish to share.  They are there in the shadows, not waiting for me to ask ... but stepping in because they know I probably won't.  They are forgiving even in the most awkward of moments & understanding even when their opinions differ greatly.  They love me because I am with faults, knowingly.  They are those who's hugs I can feel even through a text or an email.  I am so blessed for such a wide & strong inner circle.... I love them all, and they KNOW who they are!!

intuitive, introspective, interesting ... to me

     I once worked with a gal who seemed to emote a calmness vibe.  Her face would show some concern, perhaps even frustration ... but she spoke in quiet tones and always seemed to listen before anything else.  In times of turmoil ... she would remove herself if possible.  Even with a smile spread across her face, she was inward with thought and taking pause.  She was the type of person I liked working with.  A "get the job done, complaining takes time, say what you have to say, get over what has little consequence on your life, gentle soul" kinda person.  She was and still is.  
     This evening we spent a few minutes on the phone talking MUCH about me ... or rather my energy, my spirit, my inner voice.  I'm not sure what to make of it just yet, it takes a little time to process all the words & feelings that surface.  But I have long had interest & curiosity about intuitive readings so I purchased one of her sessions thru ETSY and counted down the days til we could connect at a quiet time between the 2 of us.  I had no expectations, or even questions for her ... I simply wanted to connect on a deeper level & with an open mind.  I find that I feel a flutter of excitement over the thought of connecting the dots ... of some of the pictures & words she felt begin to take shape.  I look forward to it.  And tonight ... as I gather my thoughts together before drifting off to sleep ... I will listen, just a little harder to those little voices in my head.  I will watch for the blossoming yet to come, a piece of the puzzle of my life, move toward those things that bring me the most joy & listen to the inner voices with my heart -not my head.  I will be more aware of what can be....
Thanks Sophie!!