Monday, September 27, 2010

On the last Saturday of Summer...



There were balloons

and hugs and kisses

and pregnant bellies 

and loving touches


And, once we were sufficiently stuffed, we rolled ourselves down to the beach  

where we frolicked

and made marine discoveries 

even the gentlemen rolled up their trousers 

the boys walked out on the rocks 

and the girls looked for shells

kids jumped off boardwalks 

and flashed peace signs 

It was a glorious day!  


~Peace be with you~





Sunday, September 26, 2010

Eat Pray Love

When the book, Eat, Pray, Love first came out it was a phenomenon.  The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, was celebrated by Oprah herself; which probably took care of any money concerns she had.  (For those of you who read the book you know about her money concerns).

I read the book when it first came out and LOVED it.  I read the book again, recently, as part of the Book Club of which I am a member.  I loved it again.  It is a wonderful book about a spiritual journey that ends up healing the author in ways she probably never knew were possible (with God all things are possible).  I loved how it wasn't about a specific religion, just about her relationship with God.  Which is what all religions are about.  What difference does it make if you belong to one and I belong to another?  What matters is your spiritual relationship with God (or, the Almighty Peanut-Butter, whatever you chose to call It).  As Ketut (a character in the book) said, "when people start talking about religion, just smile and nod and say 'I absolutely agree with you' and then go home and do your own meditations or prayers, whatever you believe..."

When I heard about the movie I was excited.  First of all, I love going to the movies, and secondly, this movie was going to be shot on location in Italy, India and Bali.  I couldn't wait to see big, sweeping, panoramic views of the locations and dream about going to all of them.  Plus, I thought Julia Roberts was a pretty good choice to play Elizabeth Gilbert given that they are both pretty tall, lanky women.

Well, folks.  The movie was a big disappointment.
sad sad sad 

Now, I know there is never a movie based on a book that will be as good as the book.
Did you understand that??  

However, this was just sad sad sad

One of the things that I dislike about movies based on books is when 'they' add something into the movie that NEVER happened in the book.
(like, the Burrough being set on fire?  What was that all about?).
Why not just add more stuff from the book?
I know there are things that will have to be left out so the movie isn't 20 hours long, but don't just add things that were never part of the story!!  Come on people!!

Anyway, before I get overly excited, *ahem* let me just tell you that you should most definitely read the book, Eat Pray Love, if you have not already.  However, don't bother paying $10 to see the movie.  Wait until it's on TV if you want to catch it--it probably won't be too long before it is!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Liquid Diet

I recently had 2 wisdom teeth pulled out.  It sounds barbaric, but I really didn't feel a thing.  I have a great oral surgeon who gave me pills to calm my nerves and stuck needles in my gums to make them numb to any pain.

Again, it sounds barbaric, but it was really quite lovely.
Ok, it wasn't 'lovely'.
More like, uncomfortable...
Which is a word that came up a lot in the past few days.

"How do you feel?"  
"Uncomfortable."  


"Are you in a lot of pain?"  
"I wouldn't call it 'pain'.  More like 'uncomfortable'."  

However, I am starting to feel more comfortable, which is why I am able to sit at my computer and type a quick blog.  I just wanted to let you all know that if/when you have wisdom teeth yanked out of your mouth you will probably have to go on a liquid diet.
The thing about liquid diets is: all you consume is....(wait for it)...liquids.

I ain't joshing ya.

A liquid diet is, by definition, a diet consisting of liquids.  So, you pee a lot.  And by 'you' I mean 'me'.  But, we'll just stick with 'you' for the purpose of this story.  Sounds better for you to be uncouth than me.

And, you are hungry ALL.THE.TIME.  
No chewing for you!
No food in your belly, just liquids.
Which, have I mentioned, make you pee.  A.LOT.
And by a lot, I mean, all the time and for long lengths of time.
You know what I mean?  I won't go into any further detail.
Sorry, please come back...keep me company...it's time for my meds...
I'll be better next time...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Recovering



I had some wisdom teeth yanked out.

So barbaric.

I am recovering, and my mouth is a bit sore.  And, I am hungry.  I can't chew anything, so I am on a liquid diet.  To add insult to injury my son had DanDan Noodles from PeiWei last night, which really made me nostalgic for chewing!  Soon....  One day I will chew food again!!

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing the movie Eat, Pray, Love with my friend Jen.  I am hoping that will take my mind off my sore mouth.

And, I also have a cool little photography series in the works that will come to you in October.  I will let you know more as we get closer to the date (can you believe it's almost October??  2010!!)  I am really excited for this and hope y'all enjoy it too.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Kennywood

wouldn't you?  hahaha, couldn't resist.  

Anyhoo...

Over the weekend we drove a bunch of hours so the kiddie-winkles could meet their cousins at an amusement park.  

Kennywood Amusement Park to be exact. 

It's historic!

My son rode this ride:
Not my cup of tea at all.  

This is more my speed:

This is my daughter's speed:


Hope you had a fun weekend!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

On the First Day of School...


...Mommy sobbed and sobbed...

Yes, it's true, I am emotional. I cry at Kleenex commercials, which makes me reach for a tissue...hey, I think I just figured out their marketing strategy! clever clever

Anyhoo, back to the matter at hand...

There she goes.
Off to meet the big yellow bus.

The side pony-tail she did herself.
She's very fashionable this one--she knows what's up!

I can't believe 5 years have come and gone so quickly.
I was not ready to let her go.
I always hold her hand when we cross the street.
She comes with me to the supermarket.
We go to the park and then the diner together.
And now...she's leaving me!!! What's up with that?

She walked up those gigantic steps into the bus ALL.BY.HERSELF!
She walked down the aisle of the bus ALL.BY.HERSELF!
She buckled her seatbelt ALL.BY.HERSELF!

I was surprised I got a photo that was in focus because of the water in my eyes.

There she goes.
Bye my little darling.
I'll be in the fetal position on the sofa until you get back.


This guy, on the other hand, is an old pro.
See ya, Ma. Please don't even think about crying.

I'm still not even sure it's him when he's speaking.
His voice keeps getting deeper and deeper...

Where have my babies gone?
Come back my little ones.


And let's not forget dear ole Hoss. He was wondering where his kids were going.
He even tried to get on the bus.
Now, I wish I had a photo of that--it was pretty funny!!

Who is going to rub my belly all day long??
Who is going to give me treats at random times throughout the day??

These are the important questions that need to be answered.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Summer Fruit


Would you like to know what I think is great about Kiwis?
When you have finished enjoying their delicious sweetness, you can fill the skin with more delicious sweetness.

Perfect for little hands.

I think this is where a blueberry fell in the pool:

yum!