On Labor Day we made a concerted effort to give our new lawn a much needed boost. The back yard had to be leveled and after the weeds were killed off, it was a bare, blank, dirt slate. The guy helping us load the verticut machine at the hardware store said we wouldn't get anything to grow this time of year. Au contraire mon fraire! We have already had to mow it twice!
Now we mostly sit out on the deck and watch it grow knowing full well it won't look this good in the spring.
Our summer vacation was a week long cruise to the Caribbean for some much needed 'doing nothing' time. Well, with the exception of eating, drinking, and applying sunscreen.
Last summer my baby took driver education. She has now graduated to the point where she can drive some on her own. After months of looking at hundreds of total crap cars at premium prices, we lucked out to find her a great school car. The seller had just had some good luck of their own and decided to pass that forward in the form of this well cared for vehicle. Gotta love good karma and a happy, happy child.
We had an opportunity to get away to Weston last weekend to attend a friend's wedding reception. We decided to go up early, hit a couple wineries and check into the historical St. George Hotel before heading out to the Red Barn Farm. Weston is always bustling. This particular weekend there was a VW car show on Main Street complete with live music right in front of the hotel. Even though I think Lawrence is one of the best towns ever, you gotta love a place that houses a kilt shop that serves shots of Irish whiskey and has a shop that hand rolls cigars made from locally grown tobacco.
I recently traveled to Milwaukee for the first time for work. I was pleasantly surprised by all the tasty amenities this city offers. The weight limit of my suitcase was tested with all the cheese, pretzel bread, and sausage I brought home for my family. Yes, all if their souvenirs were edible. Even the chocolate cow pies.
My coworker recently started geocaching so we thoroughly explored the Old Town district searching for bobbles.
Our scavenger hunt led us to the most intriguing place I've ever been; a place called The Safe House. If you visit, be sure you know the password. Otherwise be prepared to make a fool out of yourself (like hopping around like a furry woodland bunny) while everyone already inside watches. This spy themed bar is well worth the humiliation. Once inside your secret server will send you on a mission to recover the password if you like. Ladies, just try to resist the Burt Reynolds temptation test in the ladies room. Otherwise everyone in the restaurant will know you violated Burt when the lights and sirens go off. Of course I could NOT resist...twice.
There is a quote from the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower that I have been thinking of today. It's a profound statement referring to how we perceive ourselves and the kind of relationships we choose.
" We accept the love we think we deserve."
Love is never perfect. We will always find things about our partner we would like to change but how often do we settle rather than allowing ourselves to contemplate an alternative? All the time; it's less complicated that way. It must be another defect in us as humans because animals don't behave that way. I admire the Black Widow spider who would simply eat her mate if he didn't suite her... or forgot to do absolutely everything. No digging required.
I guess the fact is I have allowed myself to accept less than I feel I deserve and now I have to fix it. I get so upset when my mother allows people to take advantage but yet, I am perhaps no better. I may be passive aggressive but I'm never going to be labeled as submissive.
My mom recently came for a visit and with every trip she had a gadget issue. This time it was understanding Facebook and how to block certain things. She also told Gen that her bowling app on her ipod was gone and she didn't know how she would get it back. My cousin had put it on there for her while she was in Tennessee visiting her last fall.
Gen: Grandma, you probably just need to download it again.
Mom: How do I do that? Do I have to go back to McDonald's?
Me: Why would you need to go to McDonald's?
Mom: To get the wifi.
(Gen snickering)
Me: Mom, we have wifi here.
Mom: You do? Do I?
(Gen still snickering)
Me: Yes....
Me: Wait, was it a McDonald's in Tennessee?
Mom: Yes it was!
Me (laughing): Then yes! You have to go back to THAT McDonald's in Tennessee.
Later Gen asked, "Mom, are you going to be like grandma someday and forget how to do stuff?"
As much as I hate it, yeah...probably. Sorry kid. Then she and her daughter can laugh at me. That will be SO fun...
Yesterday I acknowledged another year on this earth. I dare to use the word celebrated because the day began very low key. In fact I was convinced my family had forgotten all about it. I still think they did even though they firmly deny it. "That's what we wanted you to think, mom." Okay, whatever. My day was a good one despite the slow start. Daniel took us out for dinner, Syd baked a cake, and yes, there were presents and wine. Overall, a special day provided by all the people I love; not a bad way to get a year older.
This was Brenna bug's first Easter. We had lots of playtime and egg hunts with brother.
Then we left when mama starting getting crazy.
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| The Fray - Bash on Broadway 2012 |
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| 2012 Most Creative |
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| 2012 Naughty Award Winner/Most Creative |
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| And he wondered why everyone kept touching his carrot. |
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| 2012 Dude Looks Like A Lady Award Winner. |
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| 2012 Fruit Cake Award Winner |
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| Hey! Is that Clifford the Big Red Dog?? |
