Grab the Bull.....

Dear Dad .....

Sometimes the only solution

is to take a deep breath

and face the problem directly

by grabbing the bull by the horns

and then pulling it to the ground.

August 2, 2013

Celebration Week

Dear Dad .....

Celebrations – August 2, 2013

This was my birthday week, and with things kind of crazy around here, well, the celebrations were kind of spread out....

When I arrived home on Weds, the house smelled Oh So Delicious!  And I thought "whaaaat???"  because the candles I have around are kind of beach smelling, but this - this was something baking!  Turns out my son had hoofed it over to the grocery store and bought the ingredients needed to make a cake from scratch!  Yes, that's right, scratch!  I was really impressed that he could do that.... and I gotta tell ya, that cake was smooth and delicious - way better than the kind you get from a box mix!   (And yes, of COURSE it was chocolate.... hehehe)

Thursday is our night to go to the library, to run any miscellaneous errands, and then treat ourselves to a no-cook night, usually at Taco Bell.  But because its "birthday week", I opted for Chipotle's.  And if you've never eaten at one of their restaurants -- you need to!  I always get a bowl, not a burrito.  This tasty dish is filled with Lime Rice, their specially flavored roasted chicken, sour cream, guacamole and two kinds of salsa.  I think it's fast becoming one of my all time fav things to eat!  (And if I'm going to be a regular customer supporting them, I checked, and yes, they are on the stock market for investors.  They have gone from $60/share to $400/share in the past 5 years.  Hmmmm. Wish I knew then.... )

And now, here it's Friday - the day to put your feet up, sip a cool beverage and chill out for a while -- I wonder if Sadie will be cooperative and allow me to do that!?!?!  hahaha  crazzzzy dog  

Happy Weekend!

Waterslides

Dear Dad....... 

This is my Dad --- circa 1970s!

He's riding the waterslide in Manteca, a new campground with a small lake and fun amenities for the kids.   We spent many, many weekends enjoying ourselves here, camping out in style with our pop up tent trailer.   It wasn't far to drive, we'd head up after work on a Friday, get all set up and have a late evening watersliding session.

After it got dark, the campground would play movies on an outdoor movie screen and us kids would park ourselves on a blanket on the ground to watch old Disney films.  There was a game room as well, where you could put coins in the jukebox, play a little pool or pinball.  (or... if you were brave, to flirt with the boys!!  No, wait .... I think that was my sister... yeah, I'm sure it was!! )

Many fun weekends were spent here,
and we never seemed to grow tired of it.

We didn't know we were making good memories,

we just thought we were having fun!

Thanks, Dad!

School Days

Dear Dad .....

Brianna’s First day of School, August 1, 2013

Education is what
remains
after one has forgotten
what one has learned
in school.
 ~Albert Einstein

I think everyone
should go to college
and get a degree
and then spend six months
as a bartender and
six months as a cabdriver.
Then they would really be educated.
~Al McGuire

Learning is a treasure 

that will follow its owner everywhere.  

~Chinese Proverb

Don't you love New York in the fall? 

It makes me wanna buy school supplies. 

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils 

if I knew your name and address.

From “You’ve Got Mail”

Age of an Eagle

Dear Dad .....

Age of an Eagle

Today I turned 54 years old.... and yeah, I'm ok with it!  So many women fret about their age, and all the things that come along for the ride -- extra pounds, wrinkles, the way your body doesn't function the same way it used to --- but for the most part, I don't moan about my age.  It is what it is, and I can't change it, nor can I wish it be something else.  I never even fudge about the number, because what's the point?

With all the hard work and exercise I've done, I opted for some portion control and had a double chocolate fudge cupcake, much like the one pictured here.  I should have taken my own picture -- but I scarfed it down before I could think about!  And yes... it was heavenly!!!!!   (If I'd bought an actual cake, I'm sure I would have eaten the whole thing! hahaha)

Otherwise, it was just an ordinary day for me.  Work was busy, then I hit the gym for my 2 miles, and headed home for a crunchy chilled salad.  (When it’s hot, cooking just doesn't interest me!)   I've had a few phone calls from friends and family with Happy Wishes -- always real nice to hear from everyone, so thanks to all of you!!

The old age of an eagle

is better than the youth of a sparrow.

-Greek Proverb