Lottie Bird

A romantic little apartment in Paris

2011-08-01T09:09:00.000-04:00

Remember my friend, Reba?

Here is a glimpse into her world.

Isn't it lovely and romantic?
I'm dreaming.

Thanks for visiting.

Wine Coolers

2011-07-27T21:16:00.000-04:00

The French are so thoughtful.

Inside my hotel room, they provided a cooler to store my wine.

But I didn't have wine to store.

So there was plenty of room for cheese and fig jam.

I've been craving my hotel room French breakfast.

Where can I get bread this densely packed with raisins in the US?

Grocery bills

2011-06-22T21:47:00.000-04:00

Olivia's "Grocery list 4 things we never get"

And mani+pedi is part of the grocery budget.

Wise self

2011-06-16T19:53:00.001-04:00

I was asking myself just this morning,
"Self, what if I never declutter my basement?
And what if I always have little messes?
Will I have lived an unhappy life?"

Self replied,
"Only if you make yourself unhappy about it."

Now, to live the wisdom that I know.

In Memory

2011-05-30T07:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks for serving, Dad.

And thanks to Doug and John and Greg and Mhop and Dave and Mace

and now JD, too.

Silly song

2011-05-29T21:20:00.000-04:00

We sang this song in church today called "Scatter Sunshine".

I always thought it was a little campy.

One of the premises of the hymn is that if we meet the

"world's repining" with a smile,

we can gain courage.

I was once asked if my frequent smile was masking pain.

I don't know.

Is that masking--or is it eliminating?

A second premise is that our smile will help others with their pain

(that's the "scattering sunshine" part).

Can a smile really make a difference to someone else?

Just a smile?

I was pondering the words,

deciding if I was too highbrow to believe them,

when I noticed the little boy in front of me.

He cocked his head and gave me a little crooked grin.

hmmm...I do believe I got scattered.

And so today, the song I always thought was silly, became very wise.

What I Wore

2011-05-13T13:30:00.001-04:00

The day started with these:

and ended with these:

Not exactly European,

but at least not European Comfort Club.

I really wanted to wear these:

Alas, they are destined to go down in history as another

"camel hair coat syndrome."*

Unless Doug calls Maria at La Pantoufle de Vair

01.42.62.75.01

annemariedanna@gmail.com

size 40

In case he's wondering...

*The camel hair wrap coat we didn't purchase in Jackson Hole 24 years ago has plagued us as the great loss of the 80's.

I need some help

2011-04-26T21:50:00.001-04:00

In my quest for these:

I found these:

But they kinda belong in the European Comfort Club...
Aargh!

Help me find some comfortable shoes

that don't look like practical shoes.
Is it possible?

Am I asking too much?

Alleluia

2011-04-24T15:52:00.000-04:00

Lucky

2011-04-22T21:46:00.000-04:00

Rose left for Prague today.

Just a quick weekend trip.

Isn't Prague lucky?

A flippin' great meal

2011-04-19T15:44:00.002-04:00

We ate there.

Even though he didn't sit with us,

he was there in spirit.

(I had a Tuna Tataki burger and swiped much of Doug's milkshake)

All was yummy.

And the company was great.

Cheers to the good guys

2011-03-31T22:25:00.000-04:00

My friend Richard Blais just won Top Chef.

Well, we may not be BFFs,

aaaand he man not know that he's my friend,

buuuut he does live next door to my in-laws.

And I did say, "Hi" to him once.

And I was smiling in a friendly* kind of way.

The thing about Richard is that he's a genuinely good guy.

This is how I know:

He helped the other chefs.

He didn't throw tantrums.

He was humble about his successes--and failures.

He didn't complain.

He didn't use language that needed to be bleeped.

And, when asked which fellow chef should have been kicked off sooner, he couldn't come up with a name.

He really could not.

He may not be my BFF,

but he is just the kind of friend I want.

I wonder if he's taking applications.

Do you suppose he'll join us for dinner on Friday?

*"friendly" may mean goofy and stalkerish to some

My brush with fame and fashion blogs

2011-03-23T07:28:00.000-04:00

All these years I've been waiting for The Sartorialist to find me

(okay, that one time in NYC--I was out of town when he was in ATL).

This is just as fun.

Probably more.

Rose spotted on campus and posted on a fashion blog:

Rose's thoughts:

"not really the same level as the sartorialist.. just sayin."

I'll grant her that.

But the photographer had a good enough eye to spot at least one fashionable co-ed.

(If you visit the blog, make a comment on her picture.

Answer the question I asked there:

"Cute skirt. Does anyone know where she got it?"

Extra points if you tell them the label is Tallulahs.

Extra extra points if you add the Tallulahs link.

Points for what?

You tell me.

Mama's Voice

2011-03-03T07:10:00.001-05:00

How many times do you hear your mother's voice in your head?

Probably more than once her voice says,

"Don't compare yourself with others."

She probably even says, "You are wonderful just as you are."

Sometimes our mother's voice helps.

And sometimes other voices help, too.

I like this one:

"I am the daughter in whom God is well pleased,"

(from Iyanla Vanzant on my once favorite show Starting Over).

What's your mantra?

My Heart Sings or Ode to Atlanta (again)

2011-02-25T17:15:00.002-05:00

The thing is,

I know we'll have more cold days.

But the warm days will prevail.

It's here.

That groundhog isn't so smart.

European Comfort Club

2011-02-22T21:32:00.001-05:00

Once, while shopping for shoes that would not exacerbate* my Plantar Fasciitis,

Borrowed from Google Health

(Plantar Fasciitis is a fancy word for sore heel)

I shopped in the "practical" section
of an upscale department store.
I shopped for a pair of shoes that appeared as close to normal
as my sore foot would allow me to wear.
But then I was caught off guard.
An enthusiastic sales clerk asked,
"do you want to belong to the 'European Comfort Club?'"

Wait.

Am I that obvious?
I thought I blended.

European Comfort club?

Ouch.

You see, I am a shoe-ie.

Like other people are foodies.

I enjoy shoes.

I care about shoes.

Fine shoes.

Pretty shoes.

Not practical shoes.

No.
I do not want to belong to your club.
Thank you very much.

And I took my pride,

and my dowdy shoes

as I turned on my sore heel

and walked out of the store.

*exacerbate belongs to my "favorite words" list. Plantar Fasciitis does not.

Don't believe everything you read...

2011-02-19T18:29:00.001-05:00

Chocolate is a lot of things.

But this may be expecting too much.

I ate it anyway.

Humbuggers

2011-02-15T08:37:00.001-05:00

To all you buggers who criticize Valentine's Day as a

Hallmark,

commercial,

made up holiday...

get over yourselves.

It's just another opportunity to show love.

Before going to bed,

Olivia realized that she was my only valentine in town.

We two would be the sole participants in our annual

Coco Wheats breakfast.

Okay, we don't have Coco Wheats in the South, we add cocoa to Cream of Wheat...

Olivia got an idea,

woke up at 5am,

jumped out of bed,

gathered beautiful fabrics,

and quilted a pillow for me.

Well, she had to wait until I was awake to thread the machine...

but she was incredibly industrious,

and creative,

and visual.

And loving.

For those of us whose love language is gifts,

this is a marvelous opportunity to show love.

For those of you whose love language is something else,

this is a marvelous opportunity to show love.

The pillow is an expression of love from her

and a symbol of love to me.

And for any of you who remember her gift to me last year,

(which ended with lollipop dough sticking my lips to my teeth)

you will know how much I really cherish this pillow!

How was your love day?

Productivity

2011-02-13T15:04:00.007-05:00

Again...or is it still...
my knitting needles have been calling me.

I even produced a few items this winter.

But it feels like an indulgence.

To sit and make knots in yarn.

I mean, it doesn't really need to be done.

Producing knitting is not being productive.

I have a love/hate relationship with productivity.

I want to be able to just "be" (or at least knit and be),

but then my mind starts working,

and I keep thinking of things I could be doing,

or could have done,

and then I can't "be" at all.

It's not like I'm ever really all that productive.

But I do have an appropriate amount of guilt over it.

Or is it inappropriate?

Recently I told someone that I my day had been particularly productive

and that productivity made me feel good.

And in reply I heard, "as if productivity were the meaning of life."

Yeah. Snicker. I know. Snicker.

Wait...

It's not?

I need some help with this one.

How do I resolve it?

Inspiration

2011-02-04T09:03:00.004-05:00

I didn't feel like exercising this morning.

It's rainy and cold and I just wanted to knit.

Don't look, Oma. It's a surprise...

But I know I feel stronger,

and my back feels healthier,

and my emotions are happier

when I exercise.

So...I looked through the new Athleta catalog for inspiration.

Source-Athleta

And then I reminded myself that my little bit of exercise

(seriously--little!)

gave me, a middle aged mom with extra layers,

muscles like this:

Source-Athleta

Okay, that's not me.

But it's all relative.

And when I tried to get a picture of my arms, this is what I got:

Trust me.

I may be the only one who gets to see my muscles...

but I have muscles!

And now for a little shout out to T-Tapp.

It's said to be "more tai chi than Taebo...
It's as intense as Taebo, but calmer...
Like yoga, T-Tapp is much harder than it looks."

I Miss You

2011-02-01T09:18:00.015-05:00

So I've taken a little time off.

I had nothing to say.

Maybe it's because my mind was occupied...

I was spending time with Oma,

Stephanie (Oma) painting kittens with Olivia.

and chatting with my lovely girl in Utah.

Rose and the charming Kailey.

In Park City. If I look cold it is because I was cold!

and laughing with Liz

(at the Sundance Film Festival!),

and being starstruck by Robert Redford,

He really was there. That blue vested person just prevented YOU from seeing him.

and falling in love with Dominic Cooper.

Yes, he really was there to see me. Dreamy, dreamy.

No, real true love...

She means nothing to him. She is just an actress (Ludivine Sagnier).

Whatever it was, I missed Lottie Bird.

And you.

Cultural differences

2011-01-07T08:36:00.001-05:00

People watching.

And the appreciation of beauty.

Belly dancing.

It feels so odd to unprohibitively* look at another person's body.

It's unusual in our culture for staring to be so acceptable.

Maybe that is why this dance is so intriguing.

It's clear why the dance is so appealing.

Our anniversary dinner was spent at Kybele, a Turkish restaurant.
It's fun to step into another culture.

Happy 23rd, babe.

*This may not be a real word.

But it expresses what I am saying so appropriately.

Distracted

2011-01-03T19:32:00.003-05:00

I didn't have time to do what I really wanted to do today (knit).

I didn't have time to do what I really needed to do today (laundry).

This is what I did instead:

mousespottersguide.com

I got distracted.

On the computer.

This is a problem I will write about.

Later.

(and later is a problem I will write about...you know, later).

Anyway, one of the things that distracted me was

green clogs.

See, I was making a comment on a favorite blogger's post

(because I didn't have time to knit...or to do laundry),

and I noticed the comment above mine was made by a blogger called

Sarah at Green Clogs.

How cute it that?

Branding. Shoes. Beauty.

All my favorite things.
And pictures for eye candy (she is a photographer).

Needless to say, I had to look at Green Clogs' blog.

And I had to read some posts.

And I had to make some comments.

And then I had to write about it.

But first I had to get permission.

And then I had to wrestle with flickr to get her photos.

And, well, you've read If You give a Moose a Muffin, right?

From Amazon, of course.

I'm the moose.
Sooooo,

this is how we got here:

Ironically, the post I (first) read on Green Clogs was about a new year's intention to

"step away from the computer."

Hmmm.
I need to think about this.

Nothing happens by accident, does it?

Even being distracted.

By the computer.

I really do want to make time for daily indulgences.

Like knitting.

I think my new friend Sarah at Green Clogs has inspired me.

Indulgences and Resolutions

2010-12-31T09:35:00.003-05:00

I love a relaxing bath on a cold day.
Okay, I confess, I love a relaxing bath on every day.
Really.
It is an indulgence I take.
Every day.

Nothing quite goes as well with a relaxing bath as

Dove Dark Chocolate

and a Diet Coke.

Every day.

I'm not normally a fan of the quotes on the Dove candy wrappers.

I think they are kind of feel good "light."

But I did ponder this one:

Too bad all it made me ponder was,

"So does one's nose."

All this pondering led me to remembering Kasey's
"welcome to reality" photos.

After some deliberation it has been determined that I do not have a nose hair showing.
That suspicious "strand" is actually the earring on the woman behind me.
Really.
Not that my nose hairs never show...

This is not the nose I remember from my youth.
Good thing I am so wise.

I think a great New Year's resolution would be:
"give myself an indulgence every day."
Really.
It would sure beat the:
"eat less chocolate and drink less Diet Coke"
I resolve to do every new year.

What indulgence would you give yourself?
And, what has grown with your wisdom?

Really.

All I Want for Christmas

2010-12-26T21:20:00.001-05:00

I didn't really have a Christmas wish list this year.

Because I wasn't planning on wanting anything.

You see, we are Real Estate Refugees.

We signed away our Christmas fund (and paycheck) to pay for mortgages...

and new stoves...

and shower doors...
and carpet...
and decks...

elsewhere.

Want to buy a million dollar home? On sale? Half -price?

But when Eddie asked what I wanted for Christmas,
I didn't want to say,

"Nothing."

That's what my mom used to say.

And she said it in kind of a grumpy way.

And I didn't always believe her.

Then I thought about what I really wanted.

I told Eddie that what would really make me happy on Christmas

was to see happiness and joy in his eyes
(in spite of the meager gifts this year).

This is what Eddie gave me:

Enthusiasm.

Surprise.

Delight.

Compliments
(Liv makes Eddie a calendar every year--this year it was kittens).

Pleasure
(Rose chose a selection of albums he would enjoy).

Laughter.

Thanks, Eddie.

I love my present.
I love being your mom.

You bring me joy.

--Mom

Let earth receive her King

2010-12-25T12:45:00.000-05:00

lib-art.com

Madonna and Child with the Milk Soup circa 1515

GERARD DAVID

We Have a Winner!

2010-12-20T09:42:00.002-05:00

Steve is the lucky one.

He is dreaming of boots for Christmas.

Sparkly boots.

Zappos: http://www.zappos.com/old-gringo-eagle-swarovski-brown-genuine-swarvoski-crystal

These have swarovski crystals.

These are on sale.

Once $1260.00.

These are now only $1134.00.

So...maybe Jenny is the lucky one.

Steve's second choice was a bracelet to match his wife's earrings.

I happen to know Jenny has the Creme Brulee Earrings.

The Vanilla Frosty Bracelet is a lovely compliment.

Steve, you'll have to ask Santa for the boots.

Zappos: http://www.zappos.com/mia-moonshine-red-leather

These match Santa's suit, so he'll surely think they are fine.

These may be more within Santa's budget.

Of course, if Steve's house is anything like my house,

when Jenny is lucky, Steve is lucky.

Lucky Christmas!

Hurry, hurry, hurry

2010-12-18T15:04:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to enter the give away!

Peace on Earth?

2010-12-17T07:40:00.002-05:00

I don't know what all this "save the world" stuff is about.

I guess I was not very specific.

When I asked what you were dreaming of this Christmas,

I was thinking more along the lines of "fabulous shoes."

B.Makowsky Sasha at Zappos.com. Who loves Zappos as much as I do?

My wishlist post last year was full of things I wanted.

Material things.

And, one year later,

I'm embarrassed to say how many of those things I have acquired

(mostly through my own generosity).

However, if you are wondering,

I did not get the dining room chairs...

In case you don't get what you are dreaming of this Christmas,

enter the giveaway.

And dream of lovely Tallulahs jewels around your wrist.

At least you stand a chance of getting something you really want...

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

2010-12-15T18:56:00.001-05:00

I think it's time for a holiday give-away.

To enter, tell me what you're dreaming of this Christmas.

I will pick a winner on December 19th.

If it's you, choose a bracelet or earrings from Tallulahs.
A lovely package will arrive in time to slip under your tree.

(Make sure I have your contact information!)

I yam what I yam

2010-12-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

Kasey took a photo of me.

Then she presented it to the world on FaceBook.

I wasn't very fond of the picture.

I tend to have a rosier view of myself.

But when she gave me a lovely compliment about my eyes,

I decided to accept reality.

In the words of the immortal Popeye,

"I yam what I yam."

image from xtrvaluedvds.com

Still, I'll save my rose colored glasses.

For politics.

Well that was fun

2010-12-09T09:40:00.002-05:00

The Tallulahs Holiday 2010 Sample Sale came and went.

It was a treat to be with friends
who helped set up,
and made us soup,
and wrapped pretty packages,
and helped customers,

and made us giggle.

Laura's Rethunk-Junk furniture displays were a hit,

and her bulletin boards,

and her jewelry pegs.

Doug asks if we could keep our house like this.

I'm working on it...

I love our customers.

They always become friends.

(Why wouldn't we love someone who loves what we make?)

The whole family gets into the entrepreneurial spirit.

Olivia set up her own shop, selling out in the first hour.

Her label is "Livvylulahs."

She is happy to cross out the "tal" part of our tag to make it her own.

Doug and sons sold "Pet Portraits."

The best part?

Laughing until my face hurt.

And spending time with Barb.

Those two always go together.

Oh, and reminiscing while eating Mexican food after a long day's work.

A dirty word

2010-12-01T21:51:00.001-05:00

Lorinda asked me how I make time to exercise.
But the question I answered is why I make time to exercise.

I wish I could say that it is because I love it.

It's not.

I will confess this here in confidence...

most times...
I exercise...
because...
I am afraid to not exercise.
I am afraid it is a slippery slope.
I'm afraid I won't ever climb that slope again if I slip down.
I am afraid I won't like myself if that happens.

There.
It's out.

This AM, as I gathered my earmuffs and gloves to run with Doug,

I (bravely) reminded myself I wanted to exercise.
I wanted to feel strong.
I wanted to be outside.
I wanted the vitamin D.
I wanted the time with Doug
I wanted to feel good when it was done.
I wanted the mind boost (see vitamin D).

And, I reminded myself that sometimes I do love to exercise.
And I remembered one of those times.
And I tried to keep that thought with me.

Ocean Isle, NC.

I do love a run on the beach.

Two exercisers I love, even when I don't love exercise:

(They made me a great running playlist.)

Sidenote:

It was a lucky run today.

I got a little bonus endorphin boost.

From chuckling.

Doug had his running shorts on backwards.

A chuckle and Vitamin D.

That's a pretty good run.

Nothing but blue skies

2010-11-28T11:47:00.001-05:00

Blue skies

Smiling at me.

Nothing but blue skies

Do I see.

View from my office.*

Words from Irving Berlin.

Sky from God.

*well, mini-van.

Little Richie Rich

2010-11-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

I made a salad.

sweet ripe red pear

moist roasted chicken

sugar toasted almonds

buttery bibb lettuce

salty smooth feta

I feel rich.

In this season of Thanksgiving I'd like to give a shout out to Costco.

Snooze Button

2010-11-24T09:03:00.000-05:00

She creeps onto me

in her cloud of silken mink.

I am kitty trapped.

Signed,

Freaky Cat Lady

Birthday Love

2010-11-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

All I can say is that she must really love this teacher.

It's Ms. Strickland's birthday.

And this is what Olivia made for her:

Happy birthday Ms. Strickland.

You are an important person in this 5th grader's life.

Thank you for making a difference.

Another Day in Paradise

2010-11-14T08:44:00.000-05:00

Lorinda asked if we have Fall in Atlanta.

I don't mean to rub it in...

but it was a lovely day at Piedmont Park,

on an ordinary Autumn afternoon.

Driver's Ed

2010-11-11T08:50:00.002-05:00

Slow Down!

Don't hit that mailbox!

Watch out for the other car!

timesignsmfg.com

We've been doing a year of driver's ed at my house.

My boys will be eligible for their driver's licenses any day now.

I need some traffic signs for life.

I don't always know when I need to stop.

Or yield.

Or merge.

Or detour.

Or watch for deer.

manishpandey.com

I need a sign saying, "enjoy the ride."

And drive in the center of the lane.

commons.wikimedia.org

Outings

2010-11-03T08:31:00.001-04:00

From IrishViews.com

Did you ever play the dandelion game?

When we were kids, we put a dandelion under someone's chin.

If their chin turned yellow, that meant they liked butter.

And if they liked butter, we would all yell, "ewwww!"

As if that was the worst thing ever to like.

from MentalFloss.com

But I knew what the worst thing was.

And I liked it.

Cafeteria spinach.

I know.
Shameful.

Imagine the social ramifications if my secret got out.

from Mlive.com

But it's time.

And as long as I'm outed,

here's a list of my secret food shames:

-meat loaf

-bologna (baloney!) sandwiches

-hot dogs

-McDonalds' cheeseburgers

-McDonalds' chicken McNuggets

-most things McDonalds

-margarine (the salty kind)

-Kraft macaroni and cheese
-liver pate
-cooked spinach, still, especially with a little vinegar

And if you go out for Indian Food with me,
I will order the Saag Paneer.
You may have to look away.

Saag Paneer from palateers.com

Will you still be my friend?

What is your secret food shame?
You'll feel better when you are outed.
And I will still be your friend.

Crayola Crayons

2010-10-28T20:23:00.003-04:00

Remember that crayon?

The cornflower blue crayon?

Remember how it was kind of translucent on the coloring page?

It was different from the other crayons.

I pressed that cornflower blue crayon so hard when I colored.
I wanted it to look like the other crayons.
But it never did.
My technique just made wax crumbs on my picture.

That was before I understood the beauty of translucence.

Now I know.

Cornflower blue earrings.

Luminescent in their translucence.

The voices...

2010-10-20T16:55:00.003-04:00

Our Holiday Trunk Show is just around the corner.

My head is full of ad copy as I design the invitation.

So many things to say.

So many sound cheesy.

In my full head are the comments from my marketing professor,

the images from my photography class,

and the ideas from my computer graphics course.

None of these are helpful.

They are just more voices in my overstuffed head.

I think I'll go back to making earrings.

The invitations will wait until tomorrow.

Just for You

2010-10-17T10:03:00.001-04:00

The first time I met Ellen, she was wearing a macaroni necklace.

Ellen is a magazine editor.

That magazine is based in New York City.

Ellen is also a mom.

A handful of gifts from my kids.

Olivia gave me nail polish for my birthday.

She loves giving gifts.

I either have the midas touch or a nicotine sparkle.

What is the most memorable gift you've been given?

Have you worn it?

Have you displayed it in your home?

Are you wearing it now?

Souvenirs and Memories

2010-10-12T09:34:00.003-04:00

I usually like to pick up something memorable when I go on a trip.

A souvenir is tangible and reminds me of a special time.

In front of 82 Queen restaurant, celebrating Angela.

But I don't like trinkets.

I like shoes.

Shoes I keep for a very long time.

And when I wear them, I remember where I got them.

Like the shoes I got in Copenhagen.

True blue love from Demmark.

I brought home something different from Charleston.

And I will keep it for a very long time.

And when I wear it, I will remember where I got it.

My special souvenir this trip was an extra five pounds.

Dinner at the Swamp Fox restaurant with our friend, Chef Ryan.

Was it worth it?

You eat the food and Charleston and then let me know what you think.

Scary

2010-10-06T22:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Lovely Young Art Teacher,
I completed my homework assignment.
I sat in front of a full length mirror,
book propped on my knees and against my reflection,
as I sketched my self-portrait.
It took a long time.
It took a lot of courage.
I hope you are never asked to do this.
When you are forty-something.
By a Lovely Young Art Teacher.

I now inform you in writing that I will be dropping
Visual Communications 124, Drawing.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Shattered Bubble

Tech School

2010-10-04T23:27:00.008-04:00

Chattahoochee Technical College.

That is the name of the school I am attending.

I try to downplay the Tech part by drawing attention to the last two syllables of the school's first name.

You got it.

I was asked today,

"Is this your first term?"

Well, yeah.

The first in this century.

Think about that.

Snowballs and Crunchy Leaves

2010-10-03T22:34:00.000-04:00

Back to school.

Not the kids this time, but me.

Remember that reinvention thing that caught hold of me?

Well, it snowballed.

It's kind of like a big, fat, dirty snowball.
The sort we make in Atlanta with our inadequate snowfall.
Leaves and twigs and mud get stuck in our sad little snowmen.
As I return to the classroom after 20 years,
I feel a little like that out of place snowman.

Visiting my Alma Mater and Rose last month.

My memory of back to school time is

the smell of freshly sharpened pencils,
the sound of leaves crunching under my boots,

and the soft yet rugged texture of my corduroy skirt.

This campus in Fall does not seem like a very distant memory.

This is what Lisa has to say about my adventure:

Did you get a new backpack yet? I remember the start of school in the crisp fall weather. I used to put a velamint in my mouth and walk to the bus stop, breathing in the cool, fresh autumn air. In my pale blue Lee corduroy overalls, I felt like the world was my oyster!! I am going to wish for that feeling for you!!!

Hugs,

Lisa

Maybe I'll get some velamints.

Do you think I should get some overalls as well?
Look out oyster!
Where's my backpack?

What comes to mind when you think of back to school time?

Spoilt

2010-09-30T08:59:00.002-04:00

I used to hear the neighborhood ladies gossip about
"spoilt girls."

Lately I have been a bit spoilt myself.

Looking at the houses on Ocean Isle

got me thinking about what I want when I am really, really spoilt.

Here is my beach house wish list:

Lots of porches and balconies.

I like pink houses--this one is a bit too pink, but you get the idea.

On a beach. And a marina? You bet!

A boat for Doug.

A picket fence.

A cottage garden.


But really, this one will be enough.

Especially since it has this view.

And, of course, I want friends at my beach house.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth being spoiled.

Where is your beach house wish list?
For when you are really, really spoilt?

Birthday Girls

2010-09-28T08:10:00.001-04:00

Cynthia Little turned 65.

I turned 45.

Cynthia rented a beach house to celebrate with friends.

I got to become one of those friends.

Cynthia's collection of friends at the beach ranged from

those she'd known since she was 5,

to those she'd taught and befriended during her California years,

to neighbors in Washington,

to me, who tagged along with Oma as my birthday gift.

Swimsuits and carrot cake should be mutually exclusive.

All of Cynthia's friends are accomplished.

All are interesting.

All are strong.

All are beautiful.

I felt like I was in a novel.

But I am no Elizabeth Berg.

Nor Anne Tyler.

So the novel is not written that describes my experience.

Let me just say what I didn't do at the beach:

read,

nap,

blog,

spend hours floating in the ocean.

What I did do at the beach:

listen to stories about interesting lives,

ask 1,876 questions,

become inspired for my own next phase,

feel enriched,

make new friends.

They are who I hope to become.

Service with a Smile

2010-09-25T16:46:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite places to visit in Salt Lake City is

One World--Everybody Eats.


Olivia is a bit finicky. She loved the food. Rose is a vegetarian. She loved the food.

Here is the concept at One World:

-serve delectable meals in exchange for donations

-serve reasonable portions to avoid waste

-serve local, organic, non-processed food

-serve those who can't pay in exchange for their work

-serve the belief that we can all help each other

Delicious crepes; suggested donation $4.00

One World Everybody Eats is a cafe.

It is a not-for-profit organization.

It is a great concept.

It is a healthy meal.

But mostly, One World is really, really, really

good food.

Visit them.

Tell me what you think.

And tell me what you ate.

Get info about the 21 states and 2 other countries that have similar Community Kitchens here.

I'm gone get me some a that

2010-09-14T07:29:00.006-04:00

The Sartorialist often inspires my wardrobe choices.

I love his eye for capturing stylish people on the street.

This is an unusal post for him.

I guess it's time to get some Liberty of London fabric and attempt a simple frock.

It is a new season of Project Runway, after all.

Then again, I've tried that before...

About the title: I've been reading The Help.
Sometimes the Southern vernacular just suits a thought.
Like on Designing Women when Charlene says,
"actually back home we call it F.T.S... Fixin' To Start.

And then when it finally arrives, you say your cousin's visiting."
That still makes me chuckle.
And it's useful.

Anyone know who said:
"Git 'er done?"
First one who gits it can choose a pair of earrings from Tallulahs.
(Be sure to leave contact info)

Enough Said

2010-09-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

I wish I had something profound to offer.

I don't.

Just me and a few friends on a Sunday afternoon.

That's typical

2010-09-04T14:17:00.002-04:00

It's a typical Atlanta day.

The kind that makes us say, "this is Atlanta."
The sun warm, the breeze light, the shade cool.
And I am smiling.

I wish you could feel this.

This year I have spent a lot of time saying,
"this is not typical Atlanta weather."
Apologizing to newcomers for our too cold winter.
And visitors for our too hot summer.
But not today.
Today is perfectly typical.

Elizabeth Berg describes a beautiful day much better than my photo:

"It's beautiful outside, the kind of day where the sun touches you like mothers touch their babies' cheeks. Your breath rides in your chest like a slow-swaying hammock, and your eyes see in the rich way: Yellow isn't yellow, it's butterscotch; the red on the roses is velvet. On days like this, you wish everything would slow down; you wish time could just stop for a while."

Today I will drive my sporty minivan with the sunroof open.
Today I will feel bliss.
Today I will laugh.
What will you do today?

Be sure to laugh.

iTunes Made Me Do It

2010-09-01T06:55:00.000-04:00

The Genius Mix is playing on my iTunes.

Alternative Singer/Songwriters.

In between Jeff Buckley and 10,000 Maniacs,

I hear this:

The best Christmas album ever.

And a little of this:

The note I received with this gift was: "Something unusual this Christmas."
Yes, very unusual listening for me--but I love it.

And some of this:


A current favorite. But I need to confess that it has some terribly sad songs.

I didn't mean to do it.
I didn't mean to listen to Christmas music this early.

I promise my kids I will wait until after Halloween.

But iTunes made me do it today,

And I am smiling.

I think I will go order some Christmas gift-wrapping supplies...

The Melting Away House or Wistful

2010-08-27T08:06:00.003-04:00

Rose read the Never Never Land post.
Now she is homesick for those homes.

Me, too.

Well, I am more than homesick, I am wistful.

I am yearning for those first two homes we owned.

Did I mention that each of them was brand spanking new?

And that each was a tract house in a neighborhood full of houses just like them?

And that I didn't care?

The spanking newness offset the cliche of matching houses.

Any money we put into those two homes was all for beautifying.

My charming home.

Now I live in a charming home.
And my charming home has a sleeping toilet--
on the floor of my bedroom.

And a hole in the ceiling of my kitchen.

And a hole in the ceiling of my living room.

And a handyman husband who is still trying diagnose the leaks...

My charming home is made of approximately the same material as corrugated cardboard.

Imagine cardboard in rain.

And humidity.

Yes, it is melting away.

Like cotton candy in the sweaty fist of a toddler.

Shoot.

Charm be damned.

My next house will be brand new.

A modern loft in the city.

And I will always have fresh flowers.

And I will be less grumpy.

And Doug and I will always hold hands.*

*if you have not yet looked at the post Never Never Land, go there now.

Why I Never or Minivan Pride

2010-08-24T10:10:00.004-04:00

I may have had a quest to not become cliche.

Or ordinary.

But I never did say I would never drive a minivan.

I never had minivan pride.

Picture this. In blue. Which did not make it more attractive.

As evidenced by my first minivan.

A Plymouth Voyager with faux wood paneling.

Like the Griswold family vehicle.*

But a minivan.

That was old.

That we bought with cash.

When we didn't have much cash.

After the Voyager, I spent years in a Landcruiser.

Ten years to be exact.

And $837,689.23 in gasoline.


She was perfect for Alaska. But not so great for Atlanta.

Years of dragging around the
truck type family vehicle

helped me realize that I never again wanted to drag around a

truck type family vehicle.

I wanted this:

The luxury of the Odyssey. I'm serious.

Now I spend much of my ordinary day with my fanny plastered in the

ergonomic seat,

smoothly navigating traffic,

with my sunroof open,

and my dog.

And I feel lucky.

I like my office with a view.

And I know that my identity does not come from what I drive.

It comes from within.

And from cute shoes.

* Vacation with Chevy Chase--remember?
Just for fun, waste some time watching Swagger Wagon videos.

Never, Never Land

2010-08-22T09:52:00.002-04:00

Doug and I were idealistic when we were newly married.

We swore we would never live in a ranch house.

Never.

The first home we owned. Built just for us.

And certainly never, never a split level.

The second home we owned. Customized just for us.

We would always live in the city, either in a modern loft,
or charming cottage.
We would always have fresh flowers on the table.

We would always hold hands.

But that was before we knew about choosing good schools.
And budgets.
And sometimes feeling grumpy.

Anne Tyler, in her novel Saint Maybe, wrote:

"When did you become ordinary?"

When I first read this line, which a mother said to her adult daughter, I was full of fear.
What if I became ordinary?

But now I know, being ordinary is not a curse.
Trying too hard to avoid being cliche,
and possibly missing your happiness,
that's the real curse.

Take it from the happy girl who was never, never going to get married
while attending Brigham Young University.
And who lives in the 'burbs.
And who drives a mini-van.

Life on a suburban cul-de-sac

When were you caught in never, never land?

My Summer Essay

2010-08-17T08:37:00.001-04:00

There's that essay you write when you go back to school:
"What I did This Summer."
Remember?

Here is my essay.
Of sorts.

One perfect morning, we ignored this:

Because overlooking this:

We decided to hike below this:

We climbed down this:

Through this:

Over this:

Under this:

And in this:

It was his idea:

But I went along:

And for our efforts, we got this:

And this:

Was it worth it?

What do you think?

Share your summer essay with me.
Really.
Talk to me.

Stella's Life Lessons

2010-08-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

Smile at everyone.

Look them in the eye.

Be enthusiastic.

Be genuine.

Be playful.

Be interested.

See the best in people.
Believe in others.
Open your arms wide.

Expect the world to love you.

And it will.

School day blues

2010-08-09T14:48:00.000-04:00

Staying occupied during the school day:

Trudy sits by the window just waiting for the kids to come home.

(have you ever seen such a large nose on a dog? That was my thought when I met her)

Jenny takes care of a little exterminating.

(photo courtesy of Olivia)

She looks pretty innocent for a murderer.

I know, supermom has a cockroach.

I have now officially withdrawn my supermom application.

(and I swiped Melissa's thoughts)

Reinvention

2010-08-06T22:36:00.005-04:00

The first day of the school year often brings
new routines.

It's kind of like the first day of the year brings
new resolutions.

On the first day of school, I believe I can reinvent myself.

Like suddenly I will become the person I think I should be.

This week I turned over a new leaf.

I am in the running for supermom.

I remembered to take pictures of my children on the first day.

Teenagers are not as enthusiastic about this.

I made a breakfast casserole before the annual
back to school bash

(I usually slink in empty-handed--because I have four kids).

In fact, I even made an extra casserole for dinner.
No more frozen burritos for this lucky family.

After the brunch, I came home and read

(instead of getting sucked into the computer or TV).

Day two and I was still at the top of the polls.

Note the healthy and delicious after-school snack:

However...

day two and a half, and all I can think about is sleeping in.

And maybe watching some Project Runway.

And eating chocolate.

I know I can't keep playing the supermom game.

Can I withdraw my entry?

Be careful when reinventing yourself.
Who you think you should be is maybe not
who you want to be.

Clamoring

2010-07-30T10:31:00.000-04:00

I saw these burros clamoring for attention.

And then I realized why I don't get much done.

Kelly Corrigan, in her memoir The Middle Place, has this to say about her desire to have four children:

"The way I see it, if you have four kids, you don't really have to do anything else, ever. Three kids is a handful, but one that many people manage to hold. If you're a mother of four, you definitely don't have to have a career or volunteer for the school fund-raiser or even bring an appetizer to the dinner party. In fact, people give you a lot of credit for wearing both earrings and knowing how to spell chaos and antidepressant. Four kids gives you a pass for every forgotten birthday, overlooked appointment, and missing form. Plus, you can be late for everything the rest of your life and never return phone calls. Who's gonna blame you? It's like having a nonthreatening cancer, forever."

Others may not overlook my slackery* ways simply becuase I have four children.

But maybe I should forgive myself some of my
undone projects and
unread books and
lack of career and
forgotten appointments...
And also enjoy the voices and needs and love of my four children.

*"slackery" I stole from SIL Jen. She has a way with words.

Signs

2010-07-28T11:43:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it's okay to ignore the warning signs.

Because sometimes they are wrong.

Behind the sign was this:

Here is a sign I obeyed.

I didn't want to disturb this:

Have you ever been to the Gulf beaches in Florida?

I'm pretty sure that if God chose his own beach, this would be it.

Do you see my white towel on the railing?

The sand really is that white.

The water really is turquoise.

(even if my photography skills couldn't capture the color!)

We were at Tyndall Air Force Base beach (near Panama City, FL).

We had it almost entirely to ourselves.

There was no oil in sight.

A sigh of relief.

I didn't travel any further West.

I was afraid of what I might see.

In my mind, God's Own Beach just can't be disturbed.

Summer

2010-07-26T11:14:00.008-04:00

One great summer.

And then it's gone.

School starts next week.
I feel a little cheated.
But until then I will relish the last few moments of summer.
And I will float in the pool.
And I will get immersed in a sewing project.
And I will get lost in a romance novel--
reading in the bathtub.
And I will drowse until noon--or at least 8 AM.
And I will cry at a wedding.
And I will laugh with my sister.
And I will watch a movie with my children.
And I will enjoy a perfectly ripe, fresh-picked berry.

What will you do with your last days of summer?

Comfortable

2010-07-15T11:25:00.107-04:00

This little beauty was making friends with Sophia.
I watched as the butterfly fluttered around her.
Curious.
A quick visit.
Then returning.
And finally settling in for a nice comfortable stay.

(I find Sophia intriguing as well)

It's sometimes like that with making friends.
Noticing someone interesting.
Like a girl crush.
Fluttering around her.
Coming back again.
And then settling in for a nice comfortable stay.

Don't you just love a comfortable stay?

(and tell Olivia this can't really be a moth since it didn't fly into my face in the dark...)

Date Night

2010-07-10T09:34:00.001-04:00

When I was hoping for the "on call" Doug to not get called.

I was dreaming we would slip away for a date night.

An escape to a movie being especially appealing.

With possibly a barrel of popcorn.

And a vat of Diet Coke.

But sometimes other things become date night.

I am grateful for the ability to enjoy my guy even when date night does not go as planned...

Coloring in the lines

2010-07-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

My blogosphere friend, Jill, left a message for me after reading the post "Fading Away."

I will share my reply, just in case any of my other blog friends have this little problem:

"Okay, I tried the CG lipstain upon your recommendation! It looked like I let a 3-year old put marker on my lips. Is there a secret to applying it?? :)"
--Jill

My reply:
Oh dear, Jill! I've made you stain your lips!
Well, I usually put it on kind of lightly and then blot with my finger.
I don't like a really strong lip, and this has been working for me.
Sorry I didn't give specifics before.
I hope you'll try again.
In the meantime, don't even think of Bozo the Clown.
Unless you're thinking how much prettier you are...
Cindy

Anyone else have lip stain suggestions?
A lighter color perhaps?
Darn that Sonia Kashuk for discontinuing hers!

Belly Laugh

2010-07-05T22:27:00.001-04:00

Somewhere between the boy and the man,
lurks the belly laugh.

I hope he will always belly laugh in the tides.

And catch critters.

And get buried in the sand.

And be Eddie.

Maturity be damned.

We all need more belly laughs.

Emotional

2010-07-04T07:20:00.008-04:00

I don't know if everyone feels this way.

Does it have something to do with my years as a military wife?
I will really cry when we sing the patriotic songs today.

Happy Birthday us.

Uncharacteristically Bright

2010-07-02T15:21:00.000-04:00

In opposition to my previous post about fading away,

I like my pedicure to be very neutral--beige or pinkish.

(Revlon Fuchsia Fever #901)

Imagine Olivia's surprise and delight.
I chose her pink polish to color my toes.

Fading Away

2010-06-30T06:33:00.000-04:00

I am fading away.

My color that is.

Do I get sun bleached as I age?

This fading coincides with the fading of my eyesight.

(and it is somehow linked to an increase in chin hairs).

It seems that eventually I will be invisible (will my chin hairs be invisible, too?).

Until then, I like this:

(Lip stain lasts all day. Covergirl 435 "Flirty Nude" is my current favorite.)

To which I add this:

(This keeps my lips just the right amount of slickery throughout the day.)

And then I have a little color and a little softness.

Add to these my plethora of eyebrow pencil, bronzer, and self-tanner,

and I am a more colorful me.

Are you fading away?

What are you doing to counteract invisibility?

Is there a lipstain you recommend?

I wonder if the robbers liked my Dr. Pepper lip gloss!

Stuff

2010-06-28T07:08:00.000-04:00

Why are cottages so appealing?

I grew up in this cottage:

(Small town Idaho life on my favorite street).

I fantasize a simpler life if I lived in one of these.

Where do cottage dwellers put their stuff?

(Two examples of my favorite type of Utah cottage. I love the curves and slopes.)

What would I do with my stuff?

I would fit comfortably in a McMansion.

Yet that doesn't suit my fantasy.

(Still, it sure would be nice to have the space.)

How about a McCottage?

(I like this one. It is an original cottage stretched out with new additions).

This one is for sale.

(That's a lot of work).

(The lovely street in Utah where I found these cottages on a morning walk).

I guess I should just do some de-junking.
Can my cottage have a McGarage?

Anyone want to come and get rid of some stuff for me?

If you don't tell me what you've tossed, I probably won't miss it.

Looking Up

2010-06-26T10:24:00.000-04:00

The first two nights of our vacation were spent at the DoubleTree.
We enjoyed their famous chocolate chip cookies,
but wished for a better view.
When one family member complained about the ugliness outside,

I pointed out that sometimes you just need to look up.

The metaphor was not appreciated.

Then again, sometimes you need to move on.

Looking up or moving on.

How do you know when it's time?

burgled

2010-06-24T11:14:00.003-04:00

I admit I feel a wicked satisfaction when I think of the marauders who burgled my rental car.
I envision them opening up my Trader Joe's bag and finding

nine peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches on wheat bread,

seven recycled Diet Coke bottles of water,

a handbag with only a nail file, clippers, gum and lip gloss.

And then the mother lode: Doug's blue fanny pack.
I like to imagine their expressions as they open the fanny pack.

Jackpot! Finally something of real value...

In it was a kite from a father's day celebration twelve years ago.

They should have chosen richer tourists to rob.
And they should have looked in the console to find

Doug's wallet and our new
Canon Rebel.

Sloppy robbers.

I hope they enjoy the convenience items in my cute green handbag

And a kite rich with memories.

That was close, Jeff.

Letting Go

2010-06-19T07:14:00.030-04:00

It seems I will be doing a lot of letting go this summer.

("I didn't know it would go so fast" is not just a trite phrase anymore.)

Today I take my boys to work near Yellowstone for the summer.

(Camp Loll's Lake of the Woods--also known as "God's own lake.")

Tomorrow I take my oldest to the airport for a job in Madrid.

(Madrid city map)

Sometimes doing something good requires doing something hard.

I can do hard things.

What about you?
Share with me your challenge that had good results.
Remind me.

Twirl

2010-06-03T13:36:00.001-04:00

I heard a great story.

It's from a friend of a friend.

So it is true.

Laura's friend, Cyndi, went shopping with her mom and aunt when she was a little girl.

She watched as the ladies each took the same skirt into the dressing room.

Cyndi's mom came out and her size 8 self fussed and said

"Does this make me look fat?

I don't think it's flattering.

I've GOT to start exercising!"

Cyndi's aunt came out in her much larger skirt, threw her hands in the air and said,

"Isn't this skirt wonderful?

I look great!

Watch me twirl!"

And Cyndi did just that.

She watched her aunt twirl.

That's when Cyndi decided that when she grew up, she would twirl.

I've been visualizing myself twirling.

You know, not just about body image,

but twirling happily through my day,

instead of spinning my wheels in stress.
Looking for the positive and feeling the joy.
Seeing the beauty and not the flaws.
In everything.

It's a great reminder.

Have you twirled today?

Woo Hoo! Dani won!

2010-06-02T09:32:00.002-04:00

Doug has a little toy I found for him, and gave him on a particularly good occasion.

It is Homer Simpson saying,
"WOO HOO! This is the greatest day of my life!"

The little toy sometimes "speaks" at unexpected moments.

It always makes me smile.

Happy Homer came to mind when I used random.org to draw a winner.

And I smiled.

Congratulations, Dani!

And any guesses on Doug's happy occasion?

Don't forget, don't forget, don't forget!

2010-05-31T12:20:00.001-04:00

I'm hosting a 100 celebration.
You are invited to the party.

Join us by leaving a comment on Centenarian.

You may win a pretty little package.

I choose some lucky someone tomorrow, June 1st.

Could it be you?

oh for cryin'outloud

2010-05-28T12:19:00.003-04:00

Every.

Single.

Time.

It seems that I bring snow to Utah.

May 24th, 2010.

This is what I see:

The snowflakes are ginormous--more like a snowflake colony.

And I won't even make any Utah jokes here...

But the snow's worth it.

This is why I came:

(Brand new niece... and some of her sibs)

(babysitting tip: feed them chocolate and let them watch a movie. It's a snap and I am the best aunt ever!)

(Lyndee getting ready for our family reunion in Hawaii...okay, okay, it's a jaundice thing)

Things got looking better. This was the next day:

Lovely lovely baby girl.

Lovely family.

And a bonus lovely:

I got to see Rose.

(No, this baby is not Rose's--she is a proud cousin! Though I got called "Grandma" once. Sigh.)

Centenarian

2010-05-25T10:34:00.001-04:00

I confess.

I fast forward during the centenarian celebrations on the Today Show.

While I am wowed by these folks turning 100+ years old, I cringe when I watch Willard Scott.

(I'm sure he is a nice man, but his television persona is embarrassing).

However, today I celebrate being a centenarian myself.

I'm 100+.

Not 100 years old, but publishing my 100th post.
Don't fast forward.

To celebrate my writing tenacity...
and your reading tenacity...
I'm hosting a party.

Well, a virtual party.

A giveaway party.

One guest will receive their favorite earrings from the Tallulahs website.

Here's how to join the party:
1. Enter by leaving a comment telling me which earrings on the website are your favorite.

2. You will be entered twice if you also mention a favorite post from Lottie Bird.

3. You will be entered three times if you are a return commenter.

How's that for self-promotion?

My personal favorite are the Venus Earrings which are found in the Helen Tribute Collection.
I wear them all the time.

I also love the Smoke Gets in Your Eyes earrings from the Mimi Tribute Collection.
They go with everything.

I will choose a winner June 1st.
Check to see if you are the lucky one.
And to give me your contact information so I can tell you personally that you won.

Well, virtually personally.

But please don't invite Willard to the party.

I don't want to hurt his feelings.

Incognito

2010-05-21T09:45:00.001-04:00

I had to chuckle when I uploaded photos this morning.

I was surprised to find an incognito animal menagerie in my camera.

(Jenny)

(Simon)

Hmmm...

I wonder who disguised the pets?

(Trudy--thank goodness these weren't the glasses with a nose attached. I love Trudy's ginormous nose!)

Does the little hand give you a clue?

What about the "silly bands" on that hand?

Any guesses?

And your first two don't count.

Driving up

2010-05-20T14:02:00.001-04:00

Years ago I realized how happy I felt driving up to my house when flowers greeted me.

I knew then that flowers were worth the effort.

And expense.

(Trudy's greeting is a bonus.)

You must know how I felt as I drove up today.

And you must know that our backyard does not get this treatment--

I am all about the drive up.

Well, and porches.

Back when I had hair

2010-05-18T07:40:00.000-04:00

I feel like a Chinese Crested.

Only backwards.

(now I've gone and done it--my head looks so big!)

Back when I had hair...

Why did I want this haircut so badly?

Why did I have short crops on my vision board?
Why didn't I remember that I have aged 10 (plus) years since I had such a cut?

Why didn't anyone tell me that my moppy messy hair suited me?

And why didn't anyone show me these pictures before I went under the scissors?

Back when I had hair.

I am not fishing for compliments.
So don't bother telling me how great this cut is.
I do love the cut.
I just don't love it on my head.

A Stoop, or Almost A Porch

2010-05-16T10:23:00.013-04:00

Doug and I once had a house with a porch.

I remember sitting on the porch of our yellow cottage while swaying on the black shaker swing.
The geraniums on the railings made me smile.
So did listening to 3 year old Rose laugh with her friends as they played on the lawn.
Neighbors waved as they walked past.
It was a lovely porch.
And it is a lovely memory.

I wish I could show you that porch in my memory.

But surely a photo wouldn't do it justice.

Now I have a stoop instead of a porch.

And on it we live our lives.
And take portraits.
And visit with neighbors.
And watch life happen.

(Halloween 2008. Trudy and Olivia as matching fairies.)

(Easter 2007. Do you know how hard it is to get a picture of our whole clan?)

It will suffice.
For now.

Yet I will dream of the day when I again have a porch large enough to hold a swing.

And geraniums on the railings.

Olivia and Olivia

2010-05-12T06:54:00.000-04:00

Oma made Olivia an Olivia quilt.

Do you know the book?

Do you know the girl?

Say "yes" to either of these and you can say "yes" to both.

Mothers and more mothers

2010-05-09T08:12:00.003-04:00

I once heard someone say:

"If a mother can love more than one child, why is it so hard to believe that a child can love more than one mother?"

(I know we are related because neither of us are photogenic. We are both much more ravishing in person.)

Stephanie is one of my mothers.

I call her Oma.

Happy Mother's Day.

Where life happened

2010-05-08T09:10:00.009-04:00

In Sociology 211 we once read about social classes and porches.

It was stated that the lower socio-economic class would sit on porches in the front of their homes.

While the middle class spent their time in private backyards.

(My childhood home in Idaho.)

This was news to me.

You see, my childhood was spent on our front porch.

Were we poor?

(The porch was a place for portraits. I am the darling urchin skipping rope.)

Or did we just enjoy visiting with strolling neighbors,

listening to the sounds of a distant ball games,

and watching life happen in front of us

as we sat in the embrace of my mother's petunias and daisies?

(I know Dad took this picture because it is what Mom would call "skeewampus.")

(Before the Pinoneer Day Parade. I guess Kevin was not such a happy Indian to be posing on the porch).

(Kevin and Julie making snowballs. I was a sleeping baby at this time.)

(This is one of the last pictures taken on our porch.

If Mom were still alive, she would "skin my hide" for posting this photo.)

And where does the upper class spend their time?

On yachts I presume.

Or playing football on the lawn of their Hyannis estate.

What do sociologists know?

Maybe the divide is not about socio-economic demographics,

but rather the Mrs. Kravitzes vs. the non-Mrs. Kravitzes.

If you don't know who Mrs. Kravitz is, you are probably sitting on your backyard deck right now.

Am I right?

signed,

Mrs. Kravitz

Wedgies

2010-05-06T08:46:00.006-04:00

If you know me at all, you know:
I love traveling.
I love watching people.
I love shoes.
And these things all go together.
This is what I noticed in Spain:

the women all wear heels.
Usually wedge heels.
When they go to work, they are in heels.
When they go shopping, they are in heels.
When they go for a walk, they are in heels.
I saw women on the beach in heels.
Even women with canes wear heels.

Rose and I watched from a distance as this woman walked to mass.

In heels (well, practical ones).

Rose was more Spanish than I.

Often I had to sit.
Do you know how hard it is to wear heels on cobblestone?

Funny thing, as I was looking at the Spaniards' feet, they were also looking at mine.

Because eventually I gave up.

Sigh.

I really want to wear cute shoes every moment of my travels.
But sometimes I am weak.

when I was 10

2010-05-04T07:38:00.000-04:00

I don't remember my 10th birthday.
And I can't find a picture to remind me.

But I do know I was not this cute.

A great moment in time.

Two sleeping kittens and a big sister on the phone.

I hope she remembers it.

Happy 10th Olivia.

Do you remember your 10th?

Ugly Shoes

2010-04-30T08:49:00.021-04:00

So, I've had these photos and post in my drafts folder for some time.

Because I always think about shoes.
They matter.
Don't they?

Unfortunately I am wistfully looking at the pix now because I've been wearing my ugly shoes for over a week.

I have tendonitis in my ankle.

To be more specific, Posterior Tibial Tendonitis.

Well.
Shoot.

I miss running.

And pretty shoes.

Now I will share this never posted entry with great melancholy.

And dream about pretty shoes.

These feet caught my eye in Copenhagen.

These are what I purchased shortly after.

These are what I wore the rest of the day...sigh.

rats

To our daughters

2010-04-27T07:47:00.008-04:00

Here's the thing, one of my mantras to my daughters has been:

"Don't be afraid to try.

If you have to already be an expert, you will never get to learn."

But have they heard me?

I once heard Demi Moore say she wanted her daughters to know it is
okay to be vulnerable.

I think we are saying the same thing.

Mostly.
Have Rumer, Scout and Tallulah Belle heard her?

(Who knew Demi and I have more than just our uncommonly good looks in common?)

I think this is another way to say it:

(This has been on my inspiration board for so long, I can't cite the source. I believe Art Jewelry magazine.

Learning can be great.

Do it.

Try something new.

Be vulnerable.

Today.

And don't be an expert.

Yet.

Then tell me about it.

Coincidentally, this tidbit was sent by my friend Oprah this AM:

"Every day is an opportunity to learn something or discover something or someplace. Be curious, play, go out on a limb, walk a different way to work, try a new food at dinner and keep learning and growing."

— Sandra Magsamen

Out of breath

2010-04-22T07:38:00.000-04:00

You know how sometimes something seemingly ordinary takes your breath away?
Maybe it was the Spring colors.
Or maybe the Utah altitude.
But when I went for a run near PlumCreek, my breath was taken away.

Over and over again.

All of these "ordinary" scenes called to me that morning.
I had to catch my breath.

(Serendipity. This red van drove by just as I was running up to take the donkey's picture by his blue barrel.)

I wish my photography skills could plant all of this beauty inside your eyes.
Or heart.
Or somewhere like where it landed in me.

(I just love the way the blue garbage cans are lined up, pointing toward the mountain.)

And some trucks for my friend, Jenni:

(I was afraid if I got a better shot of this one, I might get shot.)

And a little vignette Olivia created today:

(An arrangement she made for no reason at all. Except maybe to give me breathing lessons.)

What has taken your breath away lately?

In support of beauty

2010-04-20T08:27:00.016-04:00

As I drive around Atlanta, appreciating the beauty of Spring, I uncover a thought I've been pondering.

My favorite blooms right now are on the redbud trees and on the dogwood trees.

I like the way, in their natural state, they reach out through the other trees and make everything look more beautiful.

(Can you see the redbud blossoms above and the dogwood blossoms below?
Subtle, delicate.)

They do not need to be center stage.

Rather, they support the beauty of the trees around them.
Like a brassiere.*

So that as I am driving along, I remember to look at the trees.
All of the trees.

And I think, "oh, I'm sorry. I've been taking you for granted.

Thank you for your little flowers. Thank you for your green backdrop.
You all make life more beautiful."

I want my jewelry to be like that.

I want to be a friend like that.
To support beauty.
Like a brassiere*.
Preferably underwire.

*Elizabeth Berg deserves credit for using the brassiere simile. For more on that, read this.

The zoo within and the zoo without

2010-04-19T16:30:00.003-04:00

Some pictures can call up a memory so clearly that I vividly feel what I felt the moment the picture was taken.

This picture brings me such a moment.
And that moment makes me chuckle.

(Eddie and Jackson with cousin Will)

We visited Hogel Zoo in Salt Lake City with cousins during Spring Break

(mental note: South in the spring!).

(The first morning of our vacation. No wonder we aren't tan!)

Eddie, so much my son, was people watching at the zoo.

His wry comment, "there's the zoo and there's the zoo."

With this he tipped his head at the folks surrounding the cages.

Heh.

He noticed.

(Jackson, Will and Eddie unwillingly standing still for a photo-op)

The teenage boys then went wandering off to take pictures of things they considered humorous.

Of those, I will share this:

(Though I don't think it's nearly as funny as they do! I was there once. With them.)

But the rest will be their story to tell.

And when they do, I will chuckle.

You can't always get what you want

2010-04-14T09:53:00.003-04:00

Remember how I wanted that big, fat doughnut last month?

I finally had it.

I hosted my book club friends.

We read my favorite book.

I served this:

The chocolate frosted Bavarian custard filled doughnut was not as good as I remembered.

Has that ever happened to you?

You crave something but the reality is not as good as the memory.

And not just with food. Sometimes with people. Or activities. Or last summer's favorite outfit.

However, this was pretty darn good:

Doug made the crust, I made the filling, and Olivia decorated.

In the story, "How to Make an Apple Pie," Flo, the aging "neighbor lady" writes to a now grown Ruthie about the apple pie Ruthie helped make when she was young.

It is one of my favorite stories in the book.

And not just because we read and reread it so we could get the ingredients just right.

Tell me, when you do read it, what is the "secret ingredient" she promises to share?

I wish you could taste it.

It was a perfect "bright sweet, not a dull one."

This is because of the lemon and green apple combination.

"you always need lemon even if it's just a little because a lemon is like a brassiere, it offers support even though you can't hardly see it."

You really have to just read it.

You will fall in love with Flo.

And you will want to make an apple pie.

Housekeeping

2010-04-07T14:42:00.003-04:00

The cherry blossom petals cover the ground.

Trudy brings them in on her fur.

I sweep the floors.

And sweep.

Okay, I am not really complaining.
And I'm not really sweeping, either.

(I know I am obsessed with this tree. It is a part of our lives in the Spring. Like who we are here. How can someone who proposes to appreciate beauty not talk about this tree every day?)

Renewal

2010-04-04T14:34:00.000-04:00

As I listen to to the words of those who are able to express what I feel, I am grateful.

What a beautiful Easter day.

I am reminded it is all about love.

Knitting and listening to words of faith while the cherry blossoms snow.

I love General Conference weekend.