One Part Inspiration...

I had a stroke of brilliance the other night. I wandered around the grocery store, after work, when I was already tired and I came up with the most innovative meal EVER! Usually, when I am trying to get a 'meal in a hurry', I default to the frozen section and see what I could fake my family into believing that is really homemade. This meal I designed, was so good, I didn't have a chance to take a picture of it before we gobbled it up, but for those of you who are 'auditory' learners, read the instructions out loud, and try and imagine how good this was.. and how easy, and fast. I present: TACOJOES . (even named it myself). [The ingredients, in case you are dazzled by this recipe, and want to try it at home (kids), are numbered.] The grocery store had those new 'flat' hamburger buns (#1). They are almost like an English muffin, only bigger and flatter. Not exactly as shown, but for the 'visual' learners among you, they will help you appreciate ...

" Would you like a medium or large with your order?" "Would you like butter on your popcorn?" "Would you like to make it a Mocha?" "Would you like to apply for this job?" "Would you like your child to attend the dance?" All of these are questions I have been asked recently. My first response has been " Sure! I'm extra thirsty. Give me the large ". " Butter? Absolutely. Yum ." " Chicken would go great on my salad ". " Job?!! Sign me up! " " Of course I want to let my child enjoy every bit of his grad experience. Let him dance like nobody's watching ." Then the truth is revealed. None of these are inclusive. The large drink? It costs extra. The butter on the popcorn? That will be another 75 cents. Choose the mocha option, and add 25 cents to the bill (before taxes). The job requires a police check (my cost), along with several other items too tedious to mention. ...

The end is near! The end is near! Each day the calendar proclaims this fact. And true to form, for this time of year, life is ramping up. It is a little strange though, not to be involved in any sorts of end-of-year programs, except of course the very exciting GRADUATION! that will be happening. There's no concerts to attend. No awards ceremonies. No recitals. No pool parties, or BBQs. It feels a little strange, not to be marking the calendar up with all manner of wrap ups. But not in a bad way. Just in a different way. A different season. The end of the school year is marking a milestone for me. It is the end of a year-long experiment of working in the school system. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in the midst of all the energy of young kids. And the staff has been extraordinarily kind and patient with me, as I learned the ropes (and changed the ropes course a little bit with my inexperience) And once again, I am in a spot of 'not knowing'. I am not sure what ...

This has been a week of blessing. Here they are in no particular order. The weather. Cool evenings, sunny days. Wonderful scenery. Every day is a different painting. Surprise care package picked up and enjoyed. Emphasis on the CARE in it. Proud mama moments while watching the drama my #1 son was in. So great to see the kids using their skills and shining! Hanging out with son#2 - clothes shopping. A new outfit for spring added to my collection. A couple of new pairs for him. A surprise smoothie given by a co-worker. Out of the blue - completely made my afternoon! Carpooling with my m-i-l and chatting there and back. Great connecting time. Putting away winter clothes. Goodbye! Good bye! Good bye!! A necklace, given by my daughter for no particular reason. So pretty! Permission given to begin new job. New job starts Wednesday. Lots of nerves and excitement. A promise of an evening out with a dear friend next week. Reconnection with my dear friend from our teen years. We ...

Here's a little video of spring-like things I have been enjoying. Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I am not really a fan of Mother's Day. I find it very stressful. This is a day which is supposed to be about celebrating women and enjoying family. However, I find it creates a perfect storm within me. It always has the sting of missing my own mother and the pang of knowing I am not being the mother I should be. However, it comes around once a year whether I'm ready or not. So this year, I came armed with a little idea about how I would enjoy the day. First of all, I started a few days before, by buying some lavender bath sachets I'd made with a few of my groups. I had fun giving them to some special women in my life. To each of them, I said a personal thanks for what they meant to me. On Mother's Day, I asked myself out on a date. I was pleased to be asked, and I said " Yes of course ". I went and got one of these, and then took myself to a local park. I walked for a little bit and then sat and watched the happenings on the lake. There were fishe...

Mothers have all sorts of " Momisms ". My own mother would wander around some days muttering " Oh that I had wings of a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest ." Other days, she would say " Give me the tools and I'll do the job ". I suppose you would have to ask my kids about my " Momisms ". One particular one comes to mind, at the moment. One day, I got tired of hearing whining. As kids do, mine were whining about " That's not fair ", and " How come he gets....and I don't ?" and " That's not fair " again. After one more bout of " How come he gets..... and I don't ", I snapped " Because I love him more than I love you. " The look on the face of the whining child was incredulous. Did their mom really admit this out loud? She actually had a favorite? And it wasn't the whining one? Guilt poured through my soul, and I assured the whiner that this was not true, but...