One Part Inspiration...

Just for fun, I'm posting random thoughts on this fine Sunday morning. I love the fact I have the freedom to sit down process a few pictures to share with you. There's something very 'weekend-ish' about this. So here we go! I found this picture in one of my son's picture files. It invites the viewer to explore the path and find out what is around the corner. For me this picture represents adventure of life. You never know what is around the corner, but you are aware of taking in the journey, while not missing the beauty as you travel. And now, for something completely different.... It's always good to have a back up plan. I took this picture of the outhouse at the museum. My husband and I enjoyed an impromptu date, going through the local museum,a few afternoons ago, . The last time I'd visited was over twenty years ago, when I applied for a summer job there. We had a great time going through the 'old' house. I must admit, it felt a little weird that...

This has been a week of celebration in our house. All week, we have been vicariously involved in end-of-year events. The swimming parties. The BBQ's. The movies. The report cards. The awards ceremonies. I cannot begin to describe the immense feeling of pride I have had, seeing my boys recognized for their hard work and determination. They have both taken initiative to do their very best. The awards are both concrete and written. Both have been chosen for awards from their schools - fine arts, athletics, top marks for a class, citizenship, service, and participation in 5 or more activities at school. As a mom, I see them investing themselves in their scholastic experience and I just about burst my buttons when I see them being honored for their efforts. What means the most is the comments on the character that they are building into their lives. I ran across the letter from a middle school, thanking my #1 son for his work at the breakfast club. In it, the principal prai...

The planning has begun for a retirement party for a co-worker. I predict it's just a matter of time before I will be blogging something about "what was I thinking?" when I find myself knee-deep preparing for the big affair. I love parties. I find it energizing to plan them. In fact, I get so much energy from brainstorming, it could easily become my drug of choice. I get going about what sorts of fun things we could plan. I sometimes say too many things about what we could do. Everyone turns and nods politely and suddenly I am the "WE" in the sentence. Next thing I know, "We" are making a memory book. "We" are creating songs. "We" are taking the picture to the cake shop to get it put on the cake which "We" will be picking up minutes before the party starts. "We" are going to the spa to pick up the gift certificate. By the time the party is over, "We" are in a little ball at the end of the bed, saying to...

Two friends, One cooler, One blanket [fresh from the dryer]. A get-away drive, A lake, Cool weather. Cold cuts, Buns, Honeydew melon. Magazines, People watching, Cloud gazing. Hot pool, Sauna, Tropical plants. Gelato, Window shopping, Chats. The perfect getaway .

Well, the family photo session has come and gone. Everyone got ready themselves ready for the pictures. I didn't have to lay out their clothes, check their shoes or smooth down their hair. All I had to do was make sure that I didn't have spinach in my own teeth. The photographer arrived with a friend who was going to assist her in finding the best shots. And for the next two hours or so, we tromped through the farm and picked out favorite places on the property to showcase our wonderfula family. They made us shine in the spotlight of their cameras. And to boot, they were very good natured and put up with all our idiosyncracies. With just a few instructions, we found our poses and tried to look our very best. [I had checked with the photographer if she might be able to PhotoShop me into looking like Cindy Crawford, but she wasn't sure that would work] Even the dog and the cat and the kittens got involved. Kola followed us out to the field where we sat on the big green marshm...

My aunt had an oil painting in her living room. The scene was reminiscent of the era in which Scarlett O'Hara lived. In the painting, was a living (great?) room with a grand piano . Two young ladies -one playing the piano, and the other looking down from the balcony also graced the picture. There was a winding staircase, and at the top of the staircase there were doors to rooms. I spent hours looking at it, wondering about the stories that house held. Were the ladies in the picture sisters? What was behind those doors upstairs? Pictures contain stories. They are frozen in time, and the viewer must use visual clues to find the tale. I have told you all this, to say that for Mother's Day, I asked for a family portrait to be taken. There will be no winding staircase in this photo, but I guarantee you, there will be a story behind the photo(s). Even without the photographer showing up, getting our family picture has a history. We have not had a professionally photographed family pi...

End of Year Blues Verse One: It's the end of the year. The exams! The assignments! The projects! The permission forms. The extra-ciricular events needing money. Pressure is mounting. Chorus: The mom frets. The mom fusses. The mom fidgets. The mom frets. The mom fusses. The mom fidgets. Verse 2 It's the end of the year. The kids moan. The kids procrastinate. The kids happen upon overdue papers. The bottom of the backpack is a treasure-trove. A friend mentions casually that another assignment is due tomorrow. Pressure is mounting. (Chorus) Verse 3: It's the end of the year. Internal conversations. "It's their responsibility." "But they're only kids." "It's their responsibility." "But they need a push. " Pressure is mounting. (Chorus)

I was cleaning out papers the other day and had the gut-wrenching decision about what to do with last year's day planner calendar. For some reason, I am loathe to throw out 12 months worth of appointments, dates, random phone numbers, and lists of things. I sat there for at least 25 minutes before deciding what to do. Let it go. Some things are harder to let go than others. I don't mind throwing out other people's stuff because that stuff means very little to me. But If I have to get rid of 'my' stuff, I have a few arguments about it! Most of the things I have a hard time releasing are 'little things'. Antique music sheets. Picture frames that once showcased my kids. Furniture purchased with 'hard won' dollars. Old pages from my day planner. Generally these are things which I don't look at, but the mention of them, brings on a strong reaction. First it's a memory of the enjoyment of the article. Then it's an evaluation of how current it ...

Today I went "into town" [as they say] for an education day. At lunch time I went on a little adventure. I was by myself and there was quite a break between sessions so I went exploring. I never knew that street went down this way! I'd heard a lot about this beach, but had never seen it. I sat eating my lunch while I looked out at the beautiful scenery. Then I wandered a bit farther down and watched 'the boys' play volleyball. I complimented them privately on their prowess. "Nice save! " I cheered. Usually I am not this brave because I have a terrible sense of direction. I can get turned around in my own driveway and run the risk of never finding my way home. But my husband took care of that by giving me a G.P.S. (a Global Positioning System ....or a Great Pride Saver ) . So off I went to explore the territory. It was fun. My G.P.S. has many options for voices. I've programmed him to speak in an Australian accent. I haven't given h...

It is easy for the family to take mothers for granted. They forget how many things run smoothly with a mother to take care of them. I am a firm believer that having "mom time" helps the family to see how important this role is. Sometimes this requires a trip away without the family. I do this occasionally as a treat from myself to myself. I usually send myself a card first, so I am not too surprised by it all. " Dear Marni," I might scribe . "You deserve a break. Why not join me at (XYZ) for (insert # of days) for a little trip I am planning. Don't worry about a thing, I've got it all covered. Looking forward to it! See you there, Love, Marni " Once I know I'm going somewhere, I have to make a lot of decisions. The first decision - about food- isn't that hard to make. I've long since stopped worrying about what my family will eat while I am gone. I used to provide meals for my husband, when we were first married. I'd return and fi...