Sunday, June 21, 2009

Week Gone By

I can not believe I have not found one single moment to sit down and blog in a whole week!

Sunday - Errands and Housework and Husband makes me birthday dinner one day early

Monday - I turn 28

Tuesday - A Blur

Wednesday - Two appointments

Thursday and Friday - Puppy's first rain days spent mostly inside playing puppy games

Saturday - Groceries, Dad's Day shopping, nearby park with puppy, help husband organize & catalogue comic book collection

And here we are, All! Happy Weekend and Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Recommended Reading

I have so many blog posts I want to write and not enough time to write them all.

Two other bloggers really got me thinking last week.

If you have a chance check out My Rights to Living a Life at Life or Something Like It. It is sure to get you thinking about how you are living your life and how you would like to be living your life. Basically, it leads to self examination of the soul.

Then there is Running Into the Waves at A New York City Life.
"These things that keep coming, these changes are transforming my life, even by just a tiny bit. They are creating paths for the moments that will be lived, the memories that will be created." How can you not want to read more?

All of you touch me every day, get my mind churning, expand my view of the world. A great Big Thank You and hugs and kisses to each and everyone of you! You are special and I feel special just knowing you virtually.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Four-Leaf Clover

Note: Apologies for not writing this yesterday. It was vet day and the pets got their inoculations which threw the whole day off.

On Wednesday, I found my first four-leaf clover. Who doesn't need a little luck?


It has dried over the past couple days, but it is still clearly a four leaf clover.


There has been a lot rolling around in my mind lately as far as what I really want and what my goals are and how I'll go about achieving them, and the like. When I found the four leaf clover I thought to myself, "The universe is trying to tell me something."

Four-leaf Clover Poem
by Ella Higginson

I know a place where the sun is like gold,
And the cherry blooms burst with snow,
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

One leaf is for HOPE, and one is for FAITH,
And one is for LOVE, you know,
And GOD put another in for LUCK --
If you search, you will find where they grow.

But you must have HOPE, and you must have FAITH,
You must LOVE and be strong -- and so --
If you work, if you wait, you will find the place
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.


Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck. I've been deeply in need of all of these lately.

It is also said that the leaves of the three-leaf Clover represent the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.

I'm hoping for:
clarity
direction
an end to my schooling
adventure
seeing my book come to fruition

I have faith that:
things will work themselves out
there is a greater plan for me
together, two people (or more) can work through anything

I love:
my husband
writing
long walks no matter the weather
being in the moment
life
the journey

I am loved by:
my husband
my furry loves
myself (most of the time)

I am lucky because:
my optimism is strong
I am loved
I have overcome many obstacles
I am alive and growing

I know that, by God's Grace, all things are figured out in time, but a little luck along the way never hurts.

As Abra Moore sings:
See, I've been thinking it over
It's all just a little too much
You see I've got a four leaf clover
It's gotta bring a little luck

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Life's Little Moments

Today I:

Wrote my husband an "I Love You More Than..." love note.

Saw a homeless man and wanted to help him, but he walked on by. Next time I'll have a set of clothes and a paper bag lunch at the ready.

Watched my car almost get hit by an elderly woman driving the largest car I have ever seen in my life. What a wave of relief when the impact did not come.

Sat with a purring cat in my lap for 20 minutes.

Got 20 minutes to myself which I spent reading The Birthdays by Heidi Pitlor. (Remember "Drop Everything And Read" in elementary school?)

Most amazing, I found my first ever four leaf clover which I'll write a whole post about tomorrow.

Sweet Dreams my Blogging Beauties <3

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Grosgrain is giving away a Marseilles Dress by Shabby Apple.



It is dreamy, sophisticated, comfy ("generously fit"), and has a fun full skirt!

Go enter today!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Drowning in Ideas

Not only am I a student, housewife, and dog & cat Mommy, but I am a writer. I have had small pieces published in a local paper, a car club magazine, and my college literary magazine. Not much, but it is something. I have yet to finish a couple of larger projects I am working on, but the ideas have been flowing and the writing has been flowing copiously the past few weeks.

Recently I went to the Newburyport Literary Festival. I heard DeLaune Michel and Ellen Meister speak together about their books which are primarily about the friendships between their characters. Both of them talked about the real life experiences that inspired some of the scenes in their books. I left there all abuzz with ideas.

A long time ago I had a friend. His name was Anthony. One wintery day when we were 7 or 8, he fell in the pond behind my house because he just insisted on pushing an iceberg with a stick and...kerplop! I laid on my belly in the snow with a rake in my hand. He grabbed the handle of the rake and I pulled him in. Then his feet got stuck in the mucky sidewall of the pond. I had to help him relax enough to slowly pull his boot out so I could pull him up and out. Then he went running home to him momma as fast as his frozen feet and legs could carry him. I've caught up with him a few times over the years. Last I knew he was doing special effects make-up for Nip Tuck.

After hearing DeLaune and Ellen speak, I knew I had to write a fictional story that spiraled out from this incident. Two friends and how this one incident effects their lives. What if the boy who is saved goes on to commit a heinous act? What if they come back together after many years? What if he is wildly successful and she is struggling? What if they end up all grown up and living in the same neighborhood with spouses and kids of their own?

And the ideas keep flowing, but they are one thing I don't mind drowning in. Ideas and...chocolate and... affection ;-)

Friday, June 5, 2009

Don't Fence Me In

Sitting in the grass and clover of the park, I spied lovely yellow flowers growing between two fences.

I wanted to set them free. Whenever I see anything caged, I want to set it free.

I identified with the flowers. There have been many times in my life when I have felt trapped, stuck in other people's narrow definitions and ideas of success. Even now, I find myself struggling to break free, make my own way.

Slowly, over the course of a few moments, I realized that the flowers, too, were reaching for freedom. The fences limited their growth width-wise, but they were growing up, no limits imposed upon them.



They gave me hope and courage, those little yellow flowers. Whenever I feel boxed in I will look around and find another direction in which to grow. So simple, yet I had never really thought of it before.

What do you do, what helps you to find your way?

Listen to Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters sing "Don't Fence Me In" on YouTube.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

How to Lose 25 Pounds... or more

I have been everything from a size 14 to a size zero. Now, I am about an 8/10. Every time I go to the Dr. her first comment is "lose weight" which I know is true, but annoys me nonetheless.

I eat healthy, whole grain, organic, vegan.

I am active.

I feel good.

Doesn't all of that count for something?

Anyway, I have a new diet and exercise plan:


We run around the park, literally, multiple times at least three times a day.

When we aren't at the park, we are playing inside.

During nap time, I do dishes, take a shower, fold laundry, make the bed, etc. Which means little time for snacks and just about enough time to fit in three square meals a day.

Sometimes I nap, too, when he naps, because getting up at 2:00a.m and 5:00a.m. for puppy potty breaks can catch up with a gal. Did you know sleeping burns more calories than sitting around reading a book or watching t.v.?

Oh, and Mr.B&B is helping, too. Tonight we went out for some together time without the pup. Our adventure included walking, frisbee, and swings.

That's that plan. I'll let you know how it works out. Do you have any predictions?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

"Dreams"


Dreams
All wackiest
dreams are following
them _____ and
petting every cool
white fluffy cloud and
mother's words about
Life is to follow your perfect
Dreams

For more info, go here.

"Independence"


Independence
Feels like it will heal my sickness
Independence will clear
but fill my mind I see red
white and blue sounds
like clinking
flowing in the
air taste sweet...

For more info, go here.

"Night Sky"



For more info, go here.

"Victory"



... It taste like an energy drink, It feels like an exploding heart, It sounds like roaring crowd screaming your name, Victory Feels Amazing

For more info, go here.

"Daring"



Daring
Color of camouflage, green and black which represents the valuable people who put their fearless lives on the line to protect their cherish country,
Smells brave like a bald eagle coursing for its sufferer, the rattle snake in the midnight darkness,
Tastes like a curious child accepting the vast risk to discover what really is inside the closet,
Feels like a lion in action for marvelous glory preparing to locate and demolish its reinforced competition,
Sounds like Barack Obama forcing his way, using his effective knowledge to get to the _____ being the first African American who really represents the vigorous red, clover white, and the midnight blue

For more info, go here.

"New Life" by Sophia



For more info, go here.

"Bold" by Ari



For more info, go here.

"What I Saw" by Shayene




For more info, go here.

Poetry Prodigies

Across from my house is a middle school full of eager young minds. A couple of days ago, I learned that those eager young minds have some phenomenal teachers.

Lining the sidewalks outside of the school, there is student poetry written in chalk.

I think this is a brilliant idea. It builds student confidence in their work. It expands students' ideas of what school, classroom, and learning are. It challenges students to think about what art is. I just love the concept.

Of course, I took photos of this art installation. They will follow in posts of their own.

Kudos to the students and the teachers!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Some Enchanted Evening

Thanks to the new puppy, the Mr. and I have been spending our evenings outside. We sit in our rocking chairs on the porch with the pup on his blanket between us.

There is talking and reading and Nintendo DS playing.

Last night, after frolicking in the clovers, I spied a stunning sky. Had i only my eyes to rely on, I could have believed I was in a foreign land. It reminded me of the sunsets in "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
"Out of Africa"

Watertown, MA - June 1, 2009


The enchantment and the brilliance of the colors aren't capture-able even in a photo. It literally brought me to me knees and struck me dumb for a few moments.

A stark reminder to slow down and look around. There is always enchantment to be found.

Just look to the horizon.

You Cannes or You Can't

Bridgitte Bardot and Pablo Picasso at The Cannes Film Festival

The closest I have ever come to Cannes was in 12th grade. Every year my school had a "One Act Festival". All plays were student directed and acted. On a whim, I tried out and got the lead in "Happy Birthday, Girl" by Molly Ann Mullen. There was only one other person in the cast and he had never acted either. I memorized all my lines and got together with him as often as possible to practice, but he was less concerned with all of it than I.
Janette Scott with her luggage and wardrobe

Up on stage, I was going strong until about 10-15 minutes in when he forgot his lines. I tried to get him back on course to no avail. He threw out a line he knew from the final five minutes of the play and couldn't get off stage fast enough. When we got off stage, the student who directed it was furious and deemed it a "total disaster of massive proportions...I am so glad I didn't invite any college admissions officers to see it." I have not acted since.
Jayne Mansfield plays in a fountain

I do love movies, though. Especially old movies with Audrey Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and the like. So, I was thrilled when I came upon this slide show of "The Golden Age of the Cannes Film Festival" in The Telegraph. All the pictures in this post are...
Simone Silva and Robert Mitchum

a sneak peek.

Monday, June 1, 2009

After the Rain

Last evening, the rain blew through...

...washed away the pollen...

...and gave way to rays...

and rays...

of sun.

Speedy Sonoma

Most people think of Sonoma as a place to relax and sip wine while walking through endless vineyards. This is true, but it is also home to Infineon Raceway. The Mr. is a longtime Nascar fan and insisted we visit the raceway on our recent trip. Since he came with me to meet blog friends and ate at Herbivore, it was only fair.

Mr. B&B at Infineon Raceway


I was not a Nascar person until I met my husband and learned that not all race fans meet the stereotypes placed upon them. We had been dating less than a year when he invited me to a Nascar race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I am always up for new experiences. The seats were about 8 rows up and right in front of the pits near the start/finish line. It was exhilarating!

I go with him and my Father-In-Law to the summer race every year now. The sun is warm. The people we sit near are friendly, her in her leather bra top and him with his "fun flask". The pits and the race are always entertaining. It isn't anywhere I would ever choose to go without Mr. B&B, but even I, the environmentalist vegan, have come to enjoy and embrace it.

Check out the inspiration for this post, The Meanest Mom's Nascar Adventure, here.

I leave you with photos of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma:
The sheep on the hill behind the Grandstands.

The Start/Finish Line




QT with Kitty

Sunday morning Iris and I hung out while the boys slept.

She helped me make Strawberry Banana Pancakes.

Iris is definitely not being neglected due to the new puppy's arrival. She still sleeps in our bed, gets cheese and treats and tuna, and chills with us on the couch watching t.v. Oh, and you'll be pleased to know, the "Girl Code" is still being followed.

Even though Pierce is kept in one room for now, the cat comes and goes from the room as she pleases. They also encounter each other when we walk Pierce through the house to go outside. Thankfully, they just calmly sit and look at each other before going about their business.

Iris is still the queen of the house and she knows it.