Woman to Woman

This picture just cracks me up when I see at it. Abigail in her Belle princess dress and sweet little Charlotte giving her the once over look. So many captions can apply...

Charlotte: Are you REALLY a princess?!
Abigail: Duh! I've got the dress, don't I?!

Abigail: Don't worry, I can teach you how to pull off this look.
Charlotte: Uh, not really sure yellow is my color.

Charlotte: Hey, is the cute guy, Jack, your brother?
Abigail: You mean "Stupid Head"? Yeah, he is.

You can probably think of a few yourself. Kids bring such joy just by being themselves!

Camping 2010

This "gong show" went camping at Convict Lake for three nights. This picture was taken in Mammoth when we went there for a field trip one of the days for lunch. It really speaks to the craziness of taking 12 people anywhere. Trying to get the perfect picture is a waste of time. What you see is what you get! Much like life, the perfect days are fleeting and few and sandwiched in between a lot of less than perfect, sometimes frustrating and annoying days that make for even better memories.
We had a blast....a dirty, windy, meltdown, eating in the dark BLAST!!!

Half Marathon

It's been a week now since I ran my first half marathon. It seems a little odd that I didn't rush to write something about it right when I finished. I have had a week to analyze this and here is what I have I have decided.
Although I am not fast, I managed to finish in 2:34:26. Running for over two hours really gives you time to think, even with 8,000 other people running around you. As nervous as I was about the race, I knew I would finish, that's just who I am. It is rare that I make goals and don't accomplish them. Not to "pump my own tires" as my kids say, but, let me tell you, 13.1 miles is a LONG WAY! Next time you think of it, look at your odometer when you're in your car and then check where you are 13 miles later! It is far! Some races start and end in the same place so you make a loop when you run the course. This race started out at Point Loma in San Diego and ended up in Balboa Park. Not running a loop, you can really see how far it is.
I know many people have accomplished this in the past and many more will in the future. I know I am not unique in this, but I never would have thought it would be on my list of accomplishments in my life. I can tell by people's reaction when you say you've run a half marathon that they are impressed. It reminds me to enjoy it a little more.
Now I want to break 2:30:00...shrinking goal posts!

What's Wrong Now?

I used to really hate when my husband asked me this question, "What's wrong now?" It implied that there was always something wrong and it really irked me. I tend to worry about everything and think up all the "what ifs" and potential disasters that might befall us.
There was a study done many years ago by a scientist that logged in everything he worried about for one year. At the end of that time, he analyzed his data and discovered that 98% of the things he had worried about did not come to pass. His conclusion, of course, was what a waste of energy he spent worrying during that year.
Logically, we can all learn from this study and try to model our lives on a less stressful, less worry plan. Emotionally, this is easier said than done. Worry is a part of all of us, some more than others. To expect a worry-free life is ridiculous, in my opinion. Whether you are worrying if your kids will be liked in school and do well, to worrying about your health as you age, worry is there. The trick is to keep it at a manageable level and not an overwhelming one; an occasional itch and not a full blown rash. Again, easier said than done, but I'll keep working on it. Now I'm worried I won't be about to reduce my worry level

You Are The...

Found this today...wish I had written it, but at least I can share it.

You are the cheese to my macaroni. You are the horizon to my sky. You are the bacon to my eggs. You are the laces to my sneakers. You are the jelly to my peanut butter. You are the smile to my face. You are the gravy to my mashed potatoes. You are the bubbles to my bath. You are the milk to my cookie. You are the ink to my pen. You are the ketchup to my french fires. You are the water to my ocean. You are the icing on my cupcake.

Silly drivel, but it made me smile.

My Day

OK, here's my day in a nutshell...

Three kids under six
One puppy
Pa cutting a hole in the wall of the Riley house
Drywall dust every where
No place to watch TV and play
Internet not working for 4 hours
No wine in my future - training for a big race on Sunday

All I can do is laugh....

Family Camping

It may be hard for you to believe, but I am going camping with the family in a few weeks. We did it for the first time last year and actually had a great time. I'm not talking motor home. I'm not talking cabin. I slept in a tent for two nights...on the ground! I have photos as proof!
My daughter Amber says it is amazing that I refused to go with my children when they went on their annual camping trips with their dad, but I will do it for the grand kids. Funny how we change as we age, and, dare I say...mellow?!
We plan the meals and assign each family to one of them so the burden doesn't all fall on one person (me). It works out great, actually, and we all help with prep and clean up. There is nothing like a steak cooked over a campfire, followed by s'mores. The joy on the little ones faces when they caught their first fish was priceless. The surprise visitor, a huge raccoon, that came into our camp late one night, is still a story worthy of retelling.
Yes, it's dirty. Yes, it's not as easy as cooking at home. Yes, I long for a shower on day two, but it is worth the grief for the memories it makes.

Summer

With August in full swing, it makes me realize that summer will be drawing to a close before we know it. Wow, where did it go? When I was younger, I always thought people showed their age
when they said, "Time goes so fast!" Now that I am not young, I totally agree with them; it does go by fast!
With a birthday in June, it has always seemed that either my birthday or Christmas is on the horizon. As I write this, Christmas is 140 days away. Not that close, by all means, but already the stores are starting to fill themselves with Christmasy things. I still want to enjoy the long, sunny days of summer and BBQs and being outside after dinner.
As you know if you read my blog regularly, I am a planner and list maker. I feel better when it is written down, orderly, and I know what's coming up. However, I have come to realize that in all this planning and anticipating, I am forgetting to "be here now". Much research has been done and the conclusion seems to be the same, finding happiness in the moment is the best way to be happy. Waiting for things to change, people to change, the next holiday, etc. leaves a lot of time doing just that ~ waiting. Allowing yourself to really be in the moment gives you a much better chance of finding contentment right now. For the little time that remains in summer, I am going to enjoy it. You'll find me out back after dinner, sitting with my husband, enjoying a glass of wine, talking about nothing important and no list will be in sight!

Fall Trends

My love of shoes is a pretty well known fact. I have owned quite a few pairs (understatement!) in my life. Back in the day, I was considered pretty fashionable and well dressed. Reading the latest magazines kept me informed of the latest trends and fashions. Granted, four inch heels have been replaced with cute ballet flats more and more these days, but I still like to think I am aware of the latest trends, etc. (P.S. No one looks good in those stupid gladiator sandals!!)
When I came across this photo is a magazine last night, I did a double take. Are you kidding me? Do they actually think that summer, strappy sandals and chunky, ribbed socks will catch and and be the new fall look?! At first, I thought it was a joke until I read further and realized they were saying how, "fun", "cute" and "practical" this look was! You don't have to put away your favorite summer shoes, just match them with your winter socks in coordinating colors! If this is the latest and greatest for fall, I better turn in my fashion card because I am obviously over the hill and no longer able to follow the latest trend. I can only imagine the stares you would get wearing this get up to the market, or anywhere for that matter!
And, I don't know about you, but plenty of my socks have a little hole in the toe. Can you imagine
pairing those up with a sexy sandal? Now THAT'S fashion!!!

Recipe-aholic

"Hi, my name is Susan and I'm a recipe-aholic." I admit it, I love to read cookbooks. I love finding new recipes in magazines and ripping them out. They get posted on the side of my refrigerator on a clip and occasionally, when I am sick of making the same seven things every week, I comb through them trying to uncover a new gem. My family is an innocent party to my disease. They have been forced to try many new recipes over the years; some have been hits and some have been serious misses. Rarely have they complained. My husband, especially, will eat just about anything. His worst comment has been, "Let's not have this real often." That is translated to, "Bleck! This tastes like poo."
My intentions to try new things are larger than the actual cooking of these new dishes. Now I have to consider "the kid factor". Will the babies eat this or will I have to make dinosaur chicken on the side for them? Sometimes, the effort doesn't seem worth the trouble. I do what most women have done for ages, stick to the tried and true things that you know they will eat. It's just SO BORING!!! I mean, listen to this..."zucchini-wrapped pork", "mexican beef & black bean soup", "shrimp and asparagus risotto", "farfalle with pesto, goat cheese and grape tomatoes". Do you want me to keep reading or are you too hungry?!?!