Oh, how I love our little neighborhood.   Everyone goes all out with orange lights strung around their trees, spider webs around their porches, spooky music filling the air, pumpkins everywhere you turn, ghosts hanging from the trees. 

Kids take over our sidewalks and it lasts until 9:00pm when we turn our lights off.  

I was talking to the kids last night about Halloween and they asked me to tell them a story about my childhood.  I started laughing when I thought back to when  my brothers and I along with a few neighborhood kids decided to "trick or treat" a couple days before Halloween.  We just couldn't wait one more day to get our hands on candy.   

The "roost" was that we would tell neighbors that we were moving to Alaska so we needed to trick or treat early.  (I guess they don't celebrate Halloween in Alaska).  We actually knocked on doors yelling "trick or treat" to these poor neighbors who had the most confused looks on their faces.  When they heard our story, they proceeded to try and find something to give to us.  It kind of backfired on us because they hadn't bought their candy yet so we had to settle for boxes of raisins, old hard candy and, if we were lucky, a nickel or two.    

 

We have our contract!!   Dan signed it yesterday.  Gulp.  This is real!  I have a flood of emotions running through me.  Absolute excitement and gratitude to begin this new journey with "my man" mixed with worry.  Will the kids adjust at school?  Will Dan adjust?  Will I be able to make a comfortable nest for my family and support them the way they need to be supported?

I remember a wonderful quote from our Pastor (I think) that struck a cord with me since I tend to worry.  He said "as long as you are living with worry, you are tying the hands of God".  Oh my.....I certainly don't want that.   Makes you think, huh?

Is anyone else out there a square peg??  Sometimes I scratch my head and wonder why I "feel" so different.  I wonder if most of us feel this way but try and "fit in" where we see an open spot.

Having children has pushed me to take a firmer stand on where my loyalty and values lie.  I am more eager to speak out and protect my family where I once felt I had no voice.  I wonder if I take this to the extreme at times?

I want to run "my own race" and stop focusing on the runners around me.  I don't want to be concerned with the critics who question "my form".  I want the only opinion that truly matters to me to be God's.  I don't want to settle for anything less than God's best!

Let's cheer each other on throughout this amazing race we are blessed to run.   Let's put  on our running shoes; whatever brand, color, size or condition they are in.  This is your race; run, jog, walk, or skip.  Make it your own! 

Look what I came home to!!!!   The three loves of my life.  My studmuffin man, my blue eyed boy and my curly girl.   I felt like Miss America walking to the car with my bouquets of flowers and my lovely sign that had a photograph of the kids and I.  Max glued it to a couple of empty paper towel rolls.  How clever is that?   There is no place like home!  

I was "stuck" in the office with the computer after mopping the kitchen floor.  I started "playing" again with the design of this blog.  The other design was a bit difficult for some of you to read and it felt a little too dramatic for me.  This feels more light and feminine which is how I feel (most of the time). 

Sierra Madre will always have a special place in my heart.  It is a small little village nestled in the foothills.  The San Gabriel Mountains are it's beautiful backdrop.  The downtown area is charming and quite busy these days.  When I was a kid, this was a sleepy little town, a gem undiscovered.  No longer.  The beauty is that it has still maintained its quaintness and it still has character.

I feel blessed because my parents still live in the same home I was raised in.  It's a sweet little house that is filled with memories.  My Mom should have been an interior decorator.  She has a great sense of style and color.  Mom and Dad's house is calm and serene.

This will be one of many posts on my childhood town.  I grew up in a lively neighborhood full of kids and the memories are full and plentiful.  Three of the "original" families still live side by side.  They are like family in many ways.  I will forever remain a "small town girl"..........

It's been nearly 20 years since the last time I saw U2 in concert; talk about feeling like an old fart.    I love the build up and excitement of an event  and I certainly got it with this concert.  Once I landed in California, I became acutely aware of the magnitude of this concert of over 100,000 at the Rose Bowl.  I felt like I had won "the golden ticket".   Thanks Clare!

The Rose Bowl had such a party atmosphere.  Everyone was tail gating and listening to U2 music.  There was good food to nourish our bodies and good friends to nourish our souls.  

"The Black Eyed Pea's" opened and did not dissapoint.  Fergi is beyond sexy and we all got an unexpected surprise when "Slash" from Gun's and Roses appeared and the two of them sang "Sweet Child of Mine". 

Once U2 hit the stage, fans jumped to their feet,  hands in the air, hips swaying, heads bobbing and voices singing.   Bono sings with such heart and conviction.  Once again, it's that passion that I see and love.  This band has a "coolness factor" that is off the charts.   The concert ended too soon but the memories are forever etched in my mind.

Thanks Clare for a gift that will not be forgotten.  You know me so well and love me anyway.......

Scottish firecracker, swing dancer, fashionista, and health nut.  These are the words that flood my mind when I think of my Great Aunt Marguerite.   She passed away at 85 years old on October 10, 2009.  We had the honor of coming together yesterday to celebrate her life.  A life filled with laughter, love, tolerance, and compassion.    Your sparkling eyes will be missed along with our  kissed stained cheeks. 

 

Isn't he adorable???

It has become somewhat of a routine this little dance we do, to and from the airport.  It is our special time.  This is how the story goes.......

I get off the airplane, grab my bags and call Dad.  He tells me "I'll be there in five minutes" and I wait.  I try and stay away from the traffic cop we have named "the traffic nazi" because she will not allow anyone to linger more than 60 seconds while waiting for there loved one.  He pulls up in his white pick-up truck and I throw my suitcase in the back and jump into the front seat grabbing a quick hug and kiss.  His truck smells of wood chips and life savers.  He is always dressed in his Levi's, boots and white t-shirt.  We talk about life and the weather as he maneuvers through LA traffic.  Then, the radio gets turned on and 50's music fills the air as he says "remember this one"?  "Of course I do".  Thinking to myself, you have been playing 50's music for as long as I can remember.  He seems surprised as he turns up an old favorite and I belt out the lyrics right along with him. 

I can remember, when I was a little girl, sitting next to him as close as possible.  ( He seemed so big to me).  We would sit right next to the stereo and I would hand him his "eight tracks" and he would listen to his music.    He was lost in another world, another time, another era.  He  has the best voice and would belt out the lyrics to his favorite songs.  Some songs were upbeat and he would say "remember this one"?  Others brought tears to his eyes.  I watched this love affair with music feeling honored to be a part of such emotion.

Dad, thanks for taking the time to "dance with me".  It's the little things in life that matter and all of the little things my Dad has done  for me over the years could fill the Grand Canyon.