Swedish massage, and something else...

st night I picked up the phone and called Burke Williams Day Spa. It is not a place I frequent, but it is only two miles straight up the main drag here, my neck was aching, and they do give a lady the feeling of pampering she is looking for. "Yes, reservations for this evening please?" "I apologize ma'am (when did I become a ma'am? my mood is the opposite of gracious) but we do not take reservations for the same evening any longer." Deflated, and growing impatient, but not hopeless, I worked with her until we found an opening for this evening, settling, but grateful that tmwr was only a day way.

Then, at 7pm tonight, I had my massage; one of those swedish deep tissue massages this time that, where at times, hurt like a...well, i wanted to kick her in the head at one point. They don't call em pressure points for nothing--and isn't the whole point of a massage, to relieve pressure, not create more? Anyway, being the always diligent and obedient student, I lay there wincing, clenching and then--and I couldn't tell you exactly when, but I noticed I was breathing; deep lungfulls of air, refreshing--I wanted more, and more. My muscles were relaxing, and I could feel the endorphins fill my every blood vessels, soaring through my veins. My thudding pulse was replaced with a wonderful ebb and flow, and I found I had unclenched my toes too, and I felt good.

Good--Not an adjective I use at all anymore, especially when describing how I feel. But, tonight it fit. I was actually falling asleep. In fact, I caught myself dozing--for 3 seconds, and then it was over. "Wait a couple of minutes and then get dressed and I'll meet you outside." WHAT? Just when you are ready, and needing that vital moment of passing out-for a good long nap in your newfound peaceful oasis, someone nudges you-- "Time to go." So, up I went, draped myslef in their soft terry robe, and out I went. Probably a good thing though now that I think about it--I might never have left--and truth be told, I had just let a long drool slip over my relaxed lips and right through the headrest-- realized it too late to retract it! Yeh, time to go.

Migraine...

I guess you can tell from the title, I have a migraine. Yes. It has been my constant companion for the past two days, kinda aches this morning but not nearly as bad a yesterday. I won't say I'm getting used to the bleary eyed existence I've been living, but as you can see clearly, I can still function.

It's remarkable what we can do if we just get on with it, ya know? When my babies were infants, I went 7 whole days with only one hour of sleep every 24. Burst a blood vessel in my right eye. Doc said, "You must close your eyes." Okay, but who will tend to my babies? Then I was hit with the flu--think my body said, "Get the message now?"

I've come to a place of non-reason lately. Too much, and too far, are the destinations I've been pushing myself. I've had to scale back. Didn't even know what my kids spelling words were last week. That is a first for me. So much had to be done though, the ABC's of school never made the cut.

Exercise, check-ups. more rest (and I have always needed a lot), water, water, water, my vitamins, and more than one healthy meal a day. These are my new destination hot spots. Hopefully, my travel arrangements won't get interrupted...

One Blooming Flower...

Announcing...."One Blooming Flower..."! Yes, my mini-me has created her own space; A BLOG, comprised of her fun musings, sweet, thoughtful observations, and even some creative, artistic endeavors as well! How did this all come about?

One afternoon, I was typing away on my laptop and she said over my shoulder, "Mommy, some day may I have a blog too?" --and I thought, no time like the present! I knew it would take time to teach her how to navigate the site, but I also knew this would be a growth experience, a bonding task, one which would, even at it's inception, bring reward. Even five short years from now, when she is fifteen (Yikes!) ) she will look back at these efforts, her thoughts, and remember where she was
in her head at 10 yrs old. My guess is, she'll be so thrilled at the record that will exist of her life, her heart, her moments she will be inspired to journal the rest of the days of her wonderful life...

The title? Daddy has always referred to his lovely Lauren as his "flower". So, when she was looking for inspiration, they threw some ideas around, but this, the most natural of all, "One Blooming Flower" is what they settled on. She is 10, a blossom in every way, a blooming flower. Perfect!

Check it out at www.onebloomingflower.blogspot.com --- prepare to SMILE!

Q'ute Quote...

Daddy went in to say goodnight and Niko said as he was drifting off to sleep, "Dad, I learned something new today."  "What's that?"  Then, in the tone of a boy very proud of himself and suddenly quite chipper, our son boasts, "If it's brown, flush it down!"  Juan turned and looked at me, "THAT is what he learned today?"   I smiled and said, "He's ten."

Fame or Mis--fortune...

Have you seen the newest internet sensation Susan Boyle? My Dad called this morning and asked me this. "Yes! She brought me to tears. I was completly taken in!" He said, "Yeah, I guess everybody has seen her. I walked outside this morning and saw Ann, my neighbor, across the way. Asked her if she had seen this woman from Britain too--she already did. What did I wake up late this morning?" I laughed, "No, Dad. It's just that it spread like wildflower!" He agreed, she was incredible. Earlier this week Niko said, "She sings like an angel." He was reminded you cannot judge a book by it's cover.

You know, I love it when someone goes out on a limb, risks the peaceful nuances of anonmity, to pursue their dreams--and then, quick as a lightening bolt, they shoot to stardom! Ms. Boyle is 47, unemployed, and lives in a tiny collection of villages in Scotland....and had the dream to sing since she was 12. And now she is going to realize that dream in the fullest, most possible way. How cool is that? What are your dreams? Did you follow them? Are you living the life you know you can live? These are the questions I've been asking myself.

I was surfing the blog world recently and found another woman who has shot to fame herself through a blog she began shortly after her daughter was born. For 8 years she has recounted the miserable, sometimes psychotic experiences she has felt as a mother. Oprah reads her and even had her on her show. This woman gets over 5 million hits a day and makes thousands of dollars in advertising. I strolled down and read post after post, and found the "cover" was very inviting--lots of vivid, well photographed pictures, etc. The posts of her daughter's cute, clever remarks are darling. The other though, not so cute, or clever; just mean. This blog, which I won't do her the honor of mentioning the address, was filled with profanity, anger, livid anger, mean and snide remarks jabbed at her husband, child, and every one else she seems to come in contact with.

Contempt. That was thread thorughout.--and A LOT of "Shut up's!" (that pains me even to write that word here). You know, maybe I have it all wrong but I thought that blogging is not talking AT your readers, on the contrary, it is by nature a written conversation, a give and take of opinions. I welcome feedback, love it actually, good and not always good. For someone holding the attention of so many others, she seems to want to be the only one in the room talking. If this is what the world is looking to for advice of motherhood, God help us.

Amazing talent comes with a responsibility. I tell my kids (who I see as amazing every day of their lives) you must use your "15 minutes" wisely. People will emulate you, BELIEVE you even, spread your word. Be thoughtful with your actions. We have all said and done things
we deeply regret, but it's the thoughts and deeds done with a flagrant disregard for the good of others-- or maybe they are just so ticked they want the rest of the world to be ticked as well (misery loves company anyone?), these are the reckless "leaders" that truly sadden and frighten me. I wonder if she has ever heard of the theory of a "Self-fulfilling Prophecy?" I just pray she isn't feeding her philosphy into unsuspecting mothers looking for direction.

Easter was great!

Lauren wrote the title for this post- while laying on my lap getting carresses from Mommy. 15 minutes ago she walked into the bedroom and spotted my laptop open and on, "Are you writing on your blog again?" I laughed and said, "Yes, need to get Easter in there and then work on something for your Uncle Jason." She crawled up the bed on all fours, pushed the remote to the tv aside, and plopped her head down in the tiny spot between me and my laptop. She then began to push buttons randomly and proceeded to spell out a very long work that may have possibly been Russian. I laughed and tried to pronounce it, Easterllttllpopfghjlkimuyptot." She giggled.

I looked down at her and said, "Did you know this head used to be bald? Then, when you finally started getting tiny hairs, you worked up a bald spot smack dab in the back of your head; the ones babies get from laying down on their backs." I cupped her face and said, "You are SO pretty!" I love to run my fingers through her hair. I lightly scratched her scalp and sneaked a peek behind her ears (always the Mommy--are your ears clean?). "There." I glanced over her now shiny brown locks and saw what she'd written, "Easter was great!" Perfect! Let's keep it.

I love this time of year, almost as much as Autumn. Everything is green, and the earth is on the expectant verge of some delightful explosion of vivid color. Here where we live, it is evident on ever street, every yard, every hillside. What better time for a visit from my father? I was so happy to know his doctor said he could get on the plane as planned and fly out to Temecula. He has been looking forward to hi visit with my brother, Jeremy, and his family for some time now
and his recent stay in the hospital gave him cause for concern.

We drove and met them all for lunch. Lots of everyone talking at once, giggles, and catching up. Sitting right next to me was my dad. Have I told you how much I love my dad? I do. I love him. We all ate, the kids ran over to the gumball machine, and I turned in my chair, looked right in his dear 72 year old face, and said, "How are you Dad?" What a gift to be sitting in the same room with my father. "Other than getting tired easily, I'm good." We chatted some more, just he and I, and then the natives were getting restless and we were off. That's all we had, but it was enough for that moment, and I was grateful.

We don't do egg hunts anymore, and my kids have outgrown the fancy Easter outfits I used to dress them in, but the Easter Bunny still finds our home (this year it was the loot without the baskets--the San Diego Easter Bunny at the hotel must not give out baskets). The one constant that this joyous holiday does bring with it every year? My pointed awareness of the many blessings in my life; My God, my salvation, my health, my family, my friends. That alone is all I need. I hope you all had a glorious Easter!

Changes...

Hello!  I noticed my viewer count rising recently, "How exciting!"

I had my blog blocked for a bit but I realized it had become hard

for folks to figure out how to log on...so, I'm back to my original status

and anyone who wants to read, go for it!  I am tinkering around with changing the title.  Have had a couple in  mind for awhile.  Will let you know if that happens and the new address.

So, just to re-iterate, no google account or passwords needed any longer to access the postings.  I can hear my relatives across the country rejoicing in one united, "Hurray!"  

Happy Days!

Our school's principal is having his 50th birthday next week while we are all on Easter Break. The kids all got together and surprised him today by dressing in a 50's theme and then presenting him with gifts from each class. I had forgotten how fun it was

to dress in this theme (and easy!). We slicked back Niko's hair, rolled up his shirt sleeves and pant cuffs, and Lauren got our her Halloween poodle skirt from 2 years ago, added a high pony-tail and a cute sweater and Voila! Mr. B really seemed to enjoy the celebration

and I beleive he was truly surprised! Happy Days are here again!

Smile...

Today was Niko's turn. At 1:40pm today he had his braces removed, and there it was--the smooth clean white teeth smile I know and love so well. He was so pleased to finally get them off, I didn't even have to ask him to smile for the picture. Such a great kid, with a great smile!

Facebook....

Are you on Facebook? If you are, then you know it can be a lot of fun! At first it seemed silly to me. Are you kidding me--you posted what you are having for dinner? Then, I got a request to join. Hmmm...should I? Ok. But I did so reluctantly, and before I knew it, I was searching every name of every person I ever knew and posting daily! It's a hoot! It's like finding out you are working for the same company with everyone you ever knew but you are each in your own cubical and the only way you can talk is via this little website on the internet. Friends and family members from all eras of my life are just a "search" away. I love it. High school, Hollywood, and hosts of family members I hadn't been in touch with for years came out of the woodwork. Most of this is good, but truth be told, it can be a little off-putting as well. Do I "confirm" or "ignore"? Where will each confirmation lead?

Dont' get me wrong, I get a kick out of reading the witty comments, and I even find myself trying to pen some funnies of my own. I must say, sometimes though, there may be a reason we don't keep in touch with everyone we ever knew. With some old friends, I found I picked up the connection right where we left off, but others, not so much. It is fun to see where folks have landed in life, kids, spouses, jobs, but how many "friends" can any of us really keep up with? I realize that is why we probably lost touch to begin with. Think it may be, for me, better just to run into them at Disneyland, catch up there, and move on. The odds are, I will continue to chat with those I was talking to already. Others will probably fade away and I will once again miss them. My posting will resume now and again, but I am going to set realistic expectations this time just like I have in real life ya know? Facebook is for fun, and I need to remember that.