back to school

so i went to back to school night at tesoro.

i must say, i really enjoyed it,

and realized that my kids are very fortunate to attend 

such a high caliber school.

so...

i was in edens ap physics class, listening to mr gilpin,

a cute older (i say that tongue in cheek...he is maybe 60- so NOT old)

man, with a bright smile and a wonderful, positive outlook on life.

i was impressed by him, and glad that eden has the opportunity

to rub shoulders with genuinely good people.

and he said something which made me reach for the pen in my purse.

"do the right thing, and you'll have a better life." 

i think that about sums it up.

thank you mr gilpin.

another man

another man surfaced on the olive tree which stands in front of my home.

i caught a glimpse of him in the evening dark, his silhouette punctuated by the 

brightness of the light shining on the tree.

he is faded, as it is the end of september, his final season of

protecting my greens from invasive predators.

so he has done his job, and i only got to see him in the twilight of

his life. his bright green faded to a pale mustard yellow.

there he was in all of his glory.

standing there, very poised. 

his magnificent head turned slowly to look at me.
i wonder how long he will last?
i wonder if his offspring will come back in the spring?
all i know is i am glad he surfaced to show me his
wonderful self.
something about praying mantis' and me.
maybe in my past life i was a bright green one with a magnificent head like his.
hmm, gotta wonder.

ten things

ten things i learned this week

1. its ok to disagree, not ok to be disagreeable.

2. what a tail dragger is

3. brand new flip flops are pretty great

4. real butter is a necessity

5. la jolla sand is way finer (and cleaner) than orange county sand

6. my name is mentioned in ferris buellers day off

7. naps on sunday afternoons are a required activity

8. we really shouldnt judge others

9. oatmeal cookies absolutely need coconut and walnuts added to the recipe

10. nick the asian guy who does my nails really does know how to predict the future

cant wait to learn more next week.

bigger blue whale

this is the blue whale last year...

this is the new and improved version this year.

any questions?

water boy

see the goalie?

hunters throw went right thru him.

deafblindness

so i was in a deaf branch this sunday.

and was moved by a most amazing sight.

this blind, deaf person was "listening" to the talk.

he used his hands to feel what the interpreter was saying.

it looked much like this...

made me think for a minute.

and i was in awe.

i watched them the whole time.

with wonder.

and amazement.

and gratitude.

911

so i am a couple days late in writing this tribute to my dad...born on september 11, 1924.

probably not in his wildest dreams would he have imagined he would be sharing

his birthday with one of the biggest tragedies in united states history.

i love this photo.

my dad is on the left, his father in the middle and his brother in the ill fitting jeans.

i will say i love my dads overalls.

why cant we go back to wearing overalls?

so convenient and comfortable.

so universally fitting.

anyway...

i love my dad.

i admire my dad.

i look up to my dad.

for lots of reasons.

he taught me many great lessons in life.

all very important ones, in fact if one can master the ones he taught

and exemplified, we would all have it made.

integrity

determination

loyalty

honor

honesty

hard work...

just to name a few.

however, these are the BIG ones.

the ones that matter.

and i have realized that in the last couple of years.

that all the little stuff doesnt matter.

there is lots of unimportant fluff in life.

eliminate the fluff, and get back to basics.

get back to who you are and what you stand for.

and stand for something you believe in.

im all over it.

and thanks dad for being there for me.

always.

first day fun

this is my boy after his first day of 4th grade...

this is my boy at yogurtland for an early evening after dinner treat...

and eden even took a break from homework...

pretty good first day, i will say.

melancholy misty morning

so i walked in from taking dane to his first day of school...

and was instantly hit square in the face with a deafening quiet. 

this house is like a tomb. 

its walls still with reverence.

i am reeling with the presence of no one.

surprisingly, stillness is quite noisy.

and i dont like it.

the dogs are here...

and the little sounds they generate.

the distinguishable tinkle of their collars, 

and the pitter patter of their feet on the hard tile...

tobys click a little noisier than maggies.

then, there on the counter was danes leftover hot chocolate and remainder of his sourdough toast.

a creature of habit that young man.

like clockwork, he loves his routine.

then found some notes left in his backpack over the summer, 

which i had hurriedly grabbed and left on the counter.

little treasures of synchronized letters spelled out on paper.

telling a sweet story of a loved little boy. 

my gem of a little boy.

the sparkle in my life.

and all of this makes the quiet okay.

time flies

this is cohen...a few years back. josie, hope its ok with you that i am showing his cute mug.

i was in primary yesterday listening to dane give his talk.

he did a great job, by the way.

inflection in his voice, self confidence oozing from every pore.

such a funny little boy he is.

and as i sat in the back, watching these little children wiggle in their seats and 

raise their hands with enthusiasm...

i was moved as i remembered when my children were small.

i was taken back 15 years or so to the time when i

had little ones all lined up in the hall.

matching dresses for the 3 girls...

then as i scanned the room, i realized i had a special

relationship with the first 2 rows.

my nursery kids.

every single one of them, i knew.

and when i occasionally substitute in there, 

i am greeted with big hugs and big smiles.

nothing better than being on your knees at 

their level and looking straight into those bright, innocent eyes.

baileys especially.

she reminds me so much of emma as a little girl.

or cohen, who reminds me in looks of hunter.

brings it all right back.

and it feels good.

finally...

finally something exciting happens around here.

and they actually did a pretty good job.

cant believe the dogs didnt wake me up.

theyre not much good.

im always bragging that they would defend me

in case there was an intruder.

well, maybe not.

they cant even hear little girls

tip toeing around outside in the wee hours of the night.

i think hunter has some admirers.

and quiet ones at that.

motto of the month

its september 1st.

lets make some changes, people.