It Is What It Is

Graces- 19 of 52

 

Lazy summer weekend days spent at the pool. 

 We belong to a health club that includes both an indoor and outdoor pool.  It's not the fanciest of pools.  As a matter of fact, it's pretty ordinary.  There are no diving boards or slides.  Just a rectangle filled with water. 

Our pool is very secluded.  It sometimes feels as though you really are in your own backyard.  It's fairly quiet whenever you happen to be there.  Never too crowded.  I've never had to search for a lounge chair.    As a matter of fact, I pretty much sit in the same spot all the time.  Again, almost like being at home in my own backyard-(which doesn't have a pool.) 

The other guests are friendly, but everyone really keeps to themselves.  I like seeing the same faces over again- knowing that I don't have to engage in conversation unless I want to.  Beloved loves going to the pool.  It's the one place he truly relaxes.  He doesn't feel pulled to retreat back into work mode.  I love knowing I can see my kid(s) without having to search and search anxiously.  They feel safe and comfortable there, as well.

We spend many a summer weekend at our pool.  Time spent being solitary or engaged with each other.   We enjoy going there together as a family.  And anything that we can all agree on to do together, surely is a grace.

R-uh-R-oh....

 

This photo (badly represents) the speeding ticket Eldest received today.  Her first.  She was going 73 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Yikes!  According to her- (which I actually tend to believe...) she was passing 2 semi trucks and sped up to get around them.  "Mom, you know how freaked I get about being near big trucks..." 

True- but still, you need to be careful.  The police officer was not so nice, understandably so, but she didn't cry.  She also didn't tell her Dad or I right away.  Who was her first phone call?  Her boyfriend.  He was the one who actually told us, because Eldest was too scared.  (I know I can be really scary....)

Well, it will be fun watching her pain as she pays her $105 fine.  I don't even want to think about the change in her insurance rate.  Yikes, again!

Graces- 18 of 52

BOOKS.  I could wax on forever about books.  In fact, I have written about books before and I'm sure I will be writing about books again in the future.  I love books and am oh so grateful for books.  For my personal collection of books, for the library's collection of books, for used book stores and NEW bookstores.  If I was standing before a shoe store and a book store-and could only enter one- hands down- the book store would win!

Just Because

Summer is officially here and I'm still coming off my May hangover of all things Graduation.  I haven't had a chance to give these events their due, but I did want to share a photo of me and Middle One- my only son.  We don't often get photographed together and I especially like this one.  I really like the fact that this photo highlights that Middle One- is growing- finally!  We are almost the same height.  (Mind you in this photo I'm wearing 3 inch heels that have previously been shown right here on this site.) 

 

This was us during the Mother/Son or Father/Daughter dance portion of the After Graduation festivities.  There was something about seeing my son in a suit jacket and tie that did my heart in this past May.  He doesn't ordinarily wear a tie for anything. (Last time was First Communion....)   When he put these items of clothing on-  I thought- so this is how it feels...my son is really growing up.  He's becoming a man.  I know that may sound a little silly to some of you, but being from a family of girls and only having one other child (female) officially hit the "adult" stage- I was a little taken back.  For me personally, watching my son hit these milestones has been especially sentimental. I guess in a way when Eldest hit these marks- I could identify it through my own eyes, but with my son this has been a completely different experience. 

So to recap- this photo says look how far we've come and still there's room for growth and many  good things down the road... but from my son's expression it looks more like- "How soon until this over?"  Doesn't matter- I know what it means...

Little Miss Dance Recital

Last week we celebrated another year of dance lessons completed.  38 weeks worth of lessons in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical- 120 hours spent practicing.  The recital was over in 3 hours.  3 hours of running back and forth changing costumes, fixing hair and makeup and rushing out to watch the performance.  Their moment in the sun to capture the best they can do for that routine.  It was a good night.  Not any real mishaps- just lots of fun, laughing, excitement, lipstick, hairspray and glitter!

 

Youngest in her Tap number with friends K and F.  They tapped their hearts out....to a classic Abba number- "Mama Mia."  I'm still hearing that song in my head. 

 

Yo, Yo Dog- to the Hip to the Hop....

 

Aren't they pretty in purple and "all that Jazz"..?

 

Girls just wanna have fun....and fun they had!

Happy Father's Day!

 

Thanks, Dad for all you do and for who you are.... And to my Beloved- Thank you for the husband you are and the Father you've become. 

Wish the men in your life who are your father's or have been a father figure - a Happy Father's Day!  Thank them for their influence on your life.  Now, go forth and barbeque or whatever it is you do at your house to honor Dads.

And the Winner Is.....

Never have it be said that I don't follow through on a promise.  Anyone who ended up commenting on the Mary Kay Andrews interview of her new book, "The Fixer Upper" was entered into a contest to win a copy of that book.  I was pretty lenient with the contest guidelines.  If you thought about calling in or even considered it in the back recesses of your mind, as long as you sent me a comment, I put your name in for a drawing.  The folded papers pictured below represent the three folks who commented. 

(Now follow along, this gets real complicated......)

 

Above folded papers were then deposited into a red bag that was shook up, real good like and then one was chosen from it's inner recesses....

 

Vanna White was not available, Youngest stepped in quite nicely....

 

LAM, you know who you are and I know who you are....so when the book is released on June 23 I will purchase said book and get it to you in a timely fashion.  Congratulations!

LAF and BS thanks for playing along...hope you'll continue to come to my backyard! 

National Flip Flop Day!!!

Happy National Flip Flop Day!!  Bet you didn't know there was such a thing- I didn't either until I received an e-mail from Tropical Smoothie Cafe informing me that Friday, June 19 was National Flip Flop day.  (If you happen to live near one- the first 500 receive a free smoothie if you're wearing flip flops.)  That aside- I wonder if there are national days set aside for other foot wear? 

 

Isn't it a good thing we don't call them "shower shoes" or "thongs" any more?  It just doesn't have the same ring...

Enjoy your Friday and your Flip Flops- wear them with pride.  It's your day to shine shoes of the summer.  Now go out and flip and flop- (but get your toes done first...)

Bueller....Bueller...or Did Anyone Dial In?

Did anyone have the chance to dial in or log on to the Mary Kay Andrews interview?  I did call in for about 20 -25 minutes.  I was in the midst of my daughter's dance recital rehearsals so I didn't get to hear the whole enchilada.  Did anyone?  Share with me something you heard or learned and I'll still make good on a random winner of her new book. 

 The part I did hear was fun and I wish my listening environment was a bit more conducive for, well, listening...oh well...I think I'll check to see if they offer a replay.

Don't forget to send a comment if you participated in any way or thought about participating....you could be a winner!!

B-I-G N-E-W-S! Mary Kay Andrews Chat and Contest x2

 

I wanted to share with all my reading buddies some exciting news regarding Mary Kay Andrews and the release of her new book, "The Fixer Upper."  This Tuesday, June 16th at 3:00 pm EST, Mary Kay will be interviewed live by the folks at HarperCollins Publishers and you can participate in the fun! 

There are two ways :

1.  By phone- Listeners need to go to- http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LibraryLoveFest  where you will see the number to call in and ask a question live!  (If you do this in front of your computer, turn down the volume to avoid feedback...)  I'm told the call in number is (347) 826-9690, but go to the website to follow along and double check....

2.  By e-mail- To send a question via the chat- register first at www.blogtalkradio.com  Do this before the show!  Once registered  you will then be be able to see the chat live during the interview.  If you'd like to ask a question type in the "Chat" section on the site....(not the comments section.) 

Now here's the really fun part....If you participate in the live interview, you will be entered into a drawing to win Mary Kay's new book.  HarperCollins Publishers will be giving away 25 books to participants of the interview! 

And that's not all....if you comment on this blog or shoot me an e-mail saying you participated or tried to submit a question....I will be having my own random contest and will award one lucky reader a copy of "The Fixer Upper."  (This is coming from me- not the publisher....I just wanted to add to the excitement of this event.) 

Personally, nothing adds more fun and interest to my reading experiences than expanding the experience itself.  How often do you get the opportunity to speak or hear an author of books you enjoy?  Take advantage of the opportunity when you can and you will be rewarded...(in this case- both literally and figuratively!!)

Have Fun!