Bun, Bob and Berries

     After work today I passed Heckman Orchards.  I always look at it and think ahead to the apples in the autumn.  I see the loads of flowers but they really aren't in my budget this year.  But today I noticed the huge banner that said "Fresh Strawberries".  I drove by... for about ten seconds and then I found the first safe place to turn around and head back.  I bought a quart of them and headed back to the car.  I opened the sunroof and windows and took a bite.  I can't repeat the word that I shouted out loud but it was worth every letter.  They were delicious little rubies of magic.
     As I moved past the main road and onto the winding little country road that takes me to the valley I needed to find the music that fit just right.  Just right with my sunny shoulders, the heat and the fresh berries.  Bob Marley won out.  (He isn't just for barbeques, beers and beach parties ya know.) I also threw my hair into one of those haphazard buns.  As I drove I realized it was one of those moments that you cherish.  Peaceful.  Beautiful.  Serene.  The kind that make you thank the world for giving you so much.  I picked up my daughter and handed her the basket.  She went for the biggest and juiciest one.  "This is not even the same thing you get at the store...it's a whole different fruit".  Exactly oh wise child...exactly.  I am now extra excited to go to the farm tonight for my shares.
      Something new doesn't have to be fancy or expensive or crazy.  It can be tender and sweet.  As sweet as a basket of berries.

By the way... for those of you worried that the last "new thing" was something that happened TO ME as opposed to something new that I did...well, for you please know that I made a Cilantro and ginger shark steak salad complete with honey roasted almonds, craisins, carrots, green peppers and mixed greens with a homemade cilantro and lime vinaigrette.  Bam...there's your new!

Twice bitten, ants fly

     The pool water is still quite cold but it doesn't slow me down.  Or the kids.  Yesterday, while swimming Emily let out a yelp and insisted that she was stung by a bee.  We knew it was something but couldn't figure out just what.  So today while I was swimming in the deep end I felt this horrible zap in my arm...it welted up and burned.  I believe ya now kid...karma took care of ya ;).  Oh wait...then Ethan got it on his chest.  He proceeded to yell out that he had a third nipple.  That got a chuckle out of the ladies lounging in their chairs.  But karma (just to make sure I understood this little life lesson) had me get it in the other arm as well.  This one caused a blurted out "ahhhhhh".  I couldn't help myself.  I guess I wasn't the only casualty because some other little kids were wondering what was going on.  I promised I would google.  And google I did.
     Flying ants called "swarmers" seem to have this modus operandi.  They like the shiny pools and land in them then drown like morons .  If they are so lucky as to find a tube or noodle to climb on...they are lucky.  If they find a human we are not so lucky.  The welt goes away quickly enough but for a few moments it does indeed smart.  From what I've read they go as fast as they come so I'm hoping they will be on their way.
     I thought with all of those years of obsessively sitting on my ladder saving each and every winged creature that landed in my pool that I would've been spared... but I guess karma makes up the rules. In the meantime, I will just have to swim faster and float around less.

Carrabba's

     So yesterday at birthday party numero uno my friend Sandi handed me a coupon.  That's all I really need and I'll do or try almost anything.  Today we took a little trip for lunch to Carrabba's.  Now, as a half Italian chick you must realize that though I appreciate good authentic food it isn't always easy to come by...especially at a chain.  I CAN'T rave over this place enough.  It was superb.  Here is where I turn into the restaurant critic (something I seem to slip into without even trying).  The service was extraordinary.  The place itself...cozy and inviting.  The food...amazing.  Start me off with dipping oil complete with an herb blend AND crusty delicious warm bread and I'm your new best friend.  But it just kept going.  Salad was yummy.  Main course...mmmm.  I sounded like I was having my very own When Harry Met Sally moment as I tasted my trio of chicken dishes.  One was better than the next. 
     (HOLD UP!  You just started to panic didn't you?  This girl just joined WW the other day...what the hell is she doing?!?!?!  I digress...yesterday with both parties not only did I eat no junk but I dined on a lunch of fruit.  This is just an example of my wise decisions.   I was rocking my points so nicely that I am actually throwing quite a few away...like thirty something of them.  I made conscious choices all week and gained bonus activity points so I was ahead of the game. I also chose wisely, watched my portions, have lunch for tomorrow and enjoyed a wonderful meal.  Suzan was right...you don't have to feel deprived.  PLUS, I knew the afternoon was slated for pool time.  I checked activity points.  I tread water, did laps and brushed up on my swimming strokes all in a completely empty pool.  Suckers...thought the icy water and potential storm were too much...not for me.  I also had shark steaks and garlic scapes (2 more new things) as well as squash and watermelon...healthy and light for dinner!)
     Back to Carrabba's.  If you are Italian and cringe at the thought of the chain dining experience this is no time to be fearful.   If you like food...you need to try it out if you aren't already a fan.  I am a fan.  I think if my Aunt Grace was around she would've said a little something like this: "An Italian chain...and you like it?!?! Eh, whaddya gonna do?"    To which I would answer..."I'm going to eat there again, that's what I'm gonna do!!!".  Thanks Sandi for the new thing and the coupon!

Early and late for the same party

     The invite said 1-3.  The second  invite said 3pm.  Somewhere in my frazzled brain I screwed up the times.  I knew we would have to leave early from one to get to the other but I thought the festivities began at noon.  I even went so far as to ask if I should feed the kids or if there would be lunch (because...in my head it started at NOON).  I rushed the children out the door and was so proud as we entered the building at the wildlife center promptly at 11:59.  I was then told by an employee that I was early for the party that started at 1:30pm.  Ugh.  So I drove the kids all the way back home to have lunch only to view the invite which clearly stated 1pm.  By the time I got back there it was 1:30.  Hence, the early and late for the same party.  That's a new one for me.  Time is a thing I greatly respect.  Here it was taunting me to chill a bit I guess. 
     The Merritt Family greeted us with a smile at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center.  It was a fun walk through the woods to the pond.  The children were given nets and were instructed how to collect the critters living along the edge of the water.  Ethan scooped up his little tadpoles so we could get a better view.  Emily had her pant legs turned up before the instructions were even finished.   There we were...moms that have known each other for quite a few years now watching as our (not so little anymore) children were exploring the mysteries of the water's edge. 
     A walk back for some cake and singing made the event complete.  Oh wait...did I mention the adorable gift bags?  Special plastic bags filled with paint your own birdhouses and suncatchers (handmade at that).   "These are the coolest gift bags ever!!!" was shouted from the backseat. 
Going to an environmental center for a birthday party was also a new thing...so I doubled up at one event.  I also have to say I don't think I ever screwed up a time like that...new all around.  BUT, it turned out to be a wonderful time despite my timing tribulations.  Thank goodness tadpoles can't tell time.

A Day of letters

     Mercury must be in a good place up in the sky because my need for communication is in overdrive.  So far today I have written a lengthy email, a tricky email  and a handwritten note to all different people.  I started with one and couldn't stop.  I don't seem to have the capability to just sit back and let things be...I push.  Sometimes people need it.  When you go to a funeral you all stand around and talk about the things you wish you could have said or done with that person.  But they are gone so it's too late.  I feel it is more painful to have the person right there and lose the chance.  So somewhere in that reasoning I find it too hard to wait.  What if this is the last day? 
     Somewhere around high school I started one of my many life philosophies.  If you don't have something NOW and you take a risk and you are shot down...you still have nothing.  There is no loss there.  BUT, if you take the chance and something comes out of it...well, then you win.  It has kept me going when I could've backed away from things.  Combine that philosophy with the "life is too short" mantra and you get what I have been trying to accomplish lately.  I am celebrating the life that I have been given.  I can mourn and cry and feel sadness but if I get the chance to laugh and love and learn...well I'm doing THAT in a big way.
     These letters are a risk.  They will also determine a great part of my future.  But I don't think it is fair to have feelings that you need to express and not pass them along.  It is almost like robbing someone of the truth.  So I will take my chances.  I will wait for a change.  I will be hopeful for a good outcome but I will accept what the outcome will be because I know that I did all that I could have done.  Hopefully, where there is truth and love something beautiful will flourish.  Now, I must find a carrier pigeon and get the fire going for my smoke signals...

A witchy afternoon

     It was a big day at work.  Lots to do for many different areas of the business.  But I start to crave the need to touch clay...and I linger...and they find me some new little task to do.  Today, we worked on witch mugs.  In fact, five women were working around a table together and some of us tend to cackle (I won't mention any names but let's just say there is a ring tone of a witch cackle when someone calls someone else) so it was sort of comical. 
      First I did some tracing, then a little score and slip (or scratch and attach as we call it) and then I even used some new tools to do some detail work.  Very cool.  Lots of new little techniques in one big lesson. So sometime in September when the regular orders are coming in for the witch mug I will be one step and a few cackles ahead!

Join the two big dubs

     I have managed my way through the "eat" portion of the journey.  I have had one too many crepes and cups of coffee laden with half & half.  Plus there were all of those new restaurants to try out for my new thing for the day.  Last year I had lost about thirty pounds.  Well, not only did they find me again but they brought their friends along.  I'm sorry guys...but you have to go.  Several posts ago I forgave the skinny girl and the fat woman but now I need to find the size in the middle that is jusssst right.  (Insert Goldilocks voice here.)
     All of this being said...I will not beat myself up.  Just recently I was thinking about how proud I am of myself.  I came up with a big challenge to "do the new" as I am now calling it and I have been following through quite nicely.  I have a new job, some new friends and am clearing out the old with some brand new attitudes.  I am joining and doing things that would have scared me away before.  I am dealing with grief and taking all of the support I can get.  My blog has inspired others and others have inspired me....take joining Weight Watchers for example...Suzan gets credit for opening my eyes to the benefits that it has for someone stuck.  I have been doing pretty good mentally, even better spiritually and am zooming socially.  Along the journey I was wondering where the falling apart was...like it was lurking and hiding.  Sometimes it does sneak up on me and I have my moments of breaking down but where it really was taking its toll was on my body.  Ahhhhhh....THERE it is.  I realized this when last year's summer clothes were not fitting so well.  
     So today (such good timing since my fridge is full of veggies and a pool pass is pinned to my suit) I begin yet another challenge.  This one will put me on the list for sure.  I don't eat bad food and I love to exercise so why the problem?  No exercise and too much good food has taken me down.  But... I like my charts.  I like my rewards.  I like my systems...so this seems like a fun little adventure.  I also need to keep me high on the list so that I can be all I need to for the others who live on my list as well. 
     I have signed up, weighed in (ugh), measured body parts (double ugh) and am ready to drink 85 glasses of water today.  Wish me luck and away I go...hopefully literally and figuratively!