Table for Eight

Okay, so this is going to sound super silly, but I have to write this down (if only for myself)-- It's never too late. Never too late for what, you ask? Never too late to change. Never. No matter what your life is like or has been like, change is possible. I know, deep. I'm deep. (OMGoodness that makes me laugh.) So, how do I know this truth? In other words, what qualifies me to play a Life Coach on GardenGnomesandCherryCola? Well, here's my story . . . for the last 30+ years, I have lived a pretty sedentary life. Meaning, I haven't been one for working out and exercising. Sure, I've had brief spells of exercising--a 5K here, a Walk-a-Thon there, using barbells at home for a month or so--but overall, I've not really challenged myself physically. That is, until this summer, when for some odd reason my brain just locked onto this idea that I was going to push myself physically. Now, mind you, I've made decisions like this before. Decis

I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. Not that I have a major problem in this area--LOL!--but, I definitely have a lot to learn. You see, I realized this summer that I hold a lot of crankiness toward Jr. and LuLu's bio mom. I know , this reveals probably more than I should about my own heart, but it's the truth. And I hope you'll see past my weaknesses and focus on the good parts of me. I'm trying to be a better version of myself everyday. I really am. Anyhow, I think this summer I've seen how negative "resentment" or "lack of forgiveness"  can be--for me, for those around me . . . for the universe. So, because I don't really know how to just weed this thorn from my side--with simple "willpower"--I'm trying to study and pray as much as I can about forgiveness. Here's what I'm reading now, and I thought I would share it on the blog today: Why We Forgive by Wayne Dyer I was having dinner

We hope you have a great day, Jr! It's crazy to think you are eleven! Woo hoo! And now, a bday acrostic in your honor! R eally kind A lways helpful; a good big brother Y ou don't look a day over 10 M om and dad love your guts U nder the sea is your favorite place to be N o one plays soccer like you (y tu no hablas espanol--lol!) D oesn't get angry O ver-the-top for chorizo

Dave and I were talking about something or other yesterday, and I said something like, "it's common sense"-- to which Dave replied, "Common sense actually isn't all that common." Oh my goodness-- t hat's funny . I really believe that I would lose my marbles without Dave. He makes me laugh and gives me the feeling that everything's going to be okay (even if it's not okay).

This is the strangest day ever. After getting kids ready, lunches packed, and dropping everyone off for their first day of school, I realized something . . . I'm all alone! Since probably 2002, we've homeschooled at least one kiddo every year--so I have never ever come home at 8:45am to an empty house. What am I supposed to do all day while they are gone? (Granted, I start teaching part-time next week, so this won't be a question I have to answer anytime soon.) But truly, what am I supposed to do while the kids are gone? I've been talking to the pets about it this morning--because there's NO ONE HERE TO LISTEN TO ME!--and they suggested I take a pottery class at the local YMCA. Oh, this is the most hilarious day ever. ***********

Last week my girlfriend called me and said, "Are your kids back in school yet?" "Not yet," I said. "But I'm going to be sad when they are, aren't you?" She started cracking up, "Yeh, Dawn, I was sad until about lunch." She's funny and I love her. But I think after years of homeschooling, sending the kids to traditional school about kills me. It really does. And while I know there are good things about every method of schooling--traditional, online or homeschooling--I just really like homeschooling. So, say a little prayer for me. Next week is going to be hard. Just to give you a idea of what I'm talking about: Yesterday I was at the kids' school for something, and I suddenly got so sad about them being there for 25+ hours a week--for the next 9+ months . . . I ran into a poll. Leading with my forehead. SMACK! I hit that pole so hard I literally saw birds circling my head. And I have a goose-egg today to boot. (

I'll admit it: when I decided to take a little break from blogging (at least writing everyday), I did so reluctantly. I really like writing everyday--it's a little like praying or brushing my teeth. N ot that the effects of writing are as "significant" as brushing my teeth or praying, but what I mean is writing is a routine part of my life. So, I couldn't imagine giving that up for even one week. What would I do? Would this be the end to my routine? (Would I stop brushing my teeth, too?) Anyway, I'm here to say, it was a great thing for me to do--taking the break. At first, I was uncomfortable (I'm a routine person), but by Day 3 I realized I really NEEDED the break. By Day 6, I decided to add another week to the break/Getaway/vacation (my plan had been only 7 days off). And by Day 10, I found myself making lists of topics to write about once I started blogging again. Yup, I was actually EXCITED to write again. (Whereas before the Blog Ge

The gym.

I know, how can something so small make me SO happy? It's hilarious really.

Colorful food just seems so happy.

Loving the break from writing so much--decided to extend the blog vacation another week. 7 more days of photos and I'll be back in action, rested and ready to blog!

I love writing everyday because it really is like exercise for me. Well, I guess for my noodle. There's something about writing that helps me frame life in a more healthy way, if that makes any sense. BUT, I just read about a few bloggers that started a "movement" to take the month of August off from traditional blogging. It's called something like the "August Getaway" (from blogging). And instead of writing daily, what this group recommends is posting a photo each day . . . so I thought I would try it out for a week. (LOL!) Like I said, most of them are doing it for the whole month of August--a kind of vacation. But I'm not sure I can do a whole month. And I'm worried that if I stop blogging for that long, I really will stop blogging. Period . So, I'm going to follow their lead, but do a mini-version of the Getaway: beginning today, I'm going to post a photo a day for a week I guess it's a way to "sharpen the saw"?

Warning: Today's blog metaphor may or may not make you want to watch Pirates of the Carribean while eating some chocolate gold coins. Here's my question of the day: Do you know that you're sitting on a treasure chest?   PS: I know this is going to sound dramatic. (And yes, I'm dramatic.) But I feel like I've been the beggar in that Tolstoy story . . . the man who sits on a suitcase/chest begging people for money his whole life long--only to have a passerby tell him "open the suitcase you are sitting upon . . . it's filled with gold!" You see, the beggar spent his whole life searching for something he already had claim to. Is that crazy? ( Interrupting Cow : Yes, I realize today's epiphany probably has something to do with my turning 40. And probably something to do with all of the exercise I've been doing--endorphines. But please indulge me. LOL.) You see, I have spent most of my life searching . . . most of my life asking others .