Last Day

Posted on June 5, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

In the weeks leading up to today…
I sketched out a summer mix of spontaneity and structure, forked over hundreds of dollars for camps, panicked that the schedule was too much, then panicked that it was not enough. Then panicked that I was panicking.

I blocked off vacation days, secured lodging, cashed in airline miles, and made plans for puppy camp. I rspv’d to four weddings, bought china, and found a perfect pair of dress shoes for my pickiest child. I purchased new swimsuits and fresh flip flops. Loaded up on sunscreen, hats and water guns.

I attended school parties, spelling bees and poetry readings. I navigated end-of-year nostalgia and tears…both theirs and mine. I hugged one child through a “I’m growing up too fast” breakdown and managed not to fall apart until I had left the room.

I made countless lists, crossed them off, then made even longer ones.

And tonight…
We unloaded the mountains of artwork, pencils, notebooks and report cards. We stashed the lunchboxes and hung the backpacks. Over french fries and salad, we toasted the day, then made a Summer of Fun list on scratch paper. On a whim, we climbed to the highest point in town and watched the sun fall on another school year.

I am mostly ready for this new season.

Yes, my “make it happen” list is still long. The closets are an unbearable mess. The artwork litters the house. The family photo albums remain unfinished. Several work projects linger.

I have no idea how or if my list will shrink during a season notorious for stealing my alone time. But I can’t argue with the calendar. The kids are ready for lazy days, late nights, fewer rules and more ice cream.

Summer is definitely here. And there is nothing left to do but dive in and play along.

Taking stock

Posted on May 22, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

As a very busy spring ends, I’m taking a breath before the season changes again.
Oh, these transitions. They require so much practical planning and emotional adjusting.

Depending on the day, I find myself either madly cramming in every last project on my hefty To Do list, or paralyzed by those jobs that simply won’t get done before summer begins.

When I find myself overwhelmed, my first urge is always to freeze time. I’m a time junkie.
Just one more second…I swear that’s all I need.

So I do. I find my camera and I freeze time. And the results become a visual gratitude journal, complete with friends, family and the wondrous, inspiring place I call home.

When words fail me, my eyes save me. Every single time.

Mealtime

Posted on April 25, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

So, my pals and I are doing another blog hop. Yay! You might remember the last one, where I bravely shared a photo of myself from 1992 wearing, as someone pointed out, “Mom jeans before I was even a Mom.”

This time we’re discussing The worst meal I ever cooked and served to loved ones. I feel sure my funny friends will come up with compelling and hilarious stories, but I gotta be honest with you…this is a tough topic for me. Certainly not because I do or don’t cook terrible meals. But because it’s Thursday and hello I have hardly any remaining brain capacity to think about mealtime topics. I’m simply maxed out for the week. My weekly allotted Think About Food time was spent on panicked meal planning, high-speed grocery shopping, pre-dinner interrogations, dinnertime whining, and morning cajoling. There’s precious little energy remaining to wonder how the meal ranked on my family’s Yum Scale.

I am quite confident everyone has ~~stirred around~~ eaten what was on their plates and that what they ~~avoided~~ ate was as healthy as possible. But beyond that, I couldn’t possibly tell you how it falls on their radar.

Call me callous or lazy, but this is where things stand right now in our house. We are all about simplicity nowadays. In fact, I adopted a Family Mealtime Mantra just to keep us all on the same page. Thanks to inspiration from Michael Pollan’s famous quote I’ve come up with these words to live by:

“Cook food. Not too much. Mostly edible.”

* * *

Read more about worst meals from my talented writer friends…

Ann’s Rants
Midlife Mixtape
The Flying Chalupa
Earth Mother just means I’m dusty

It’s happening

Posted on April 23, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

Between the monkeys and the puppy, it’s a miracle I’m getting anything done around here.

But somehow, things are all coming together. This year’s Listen to Your Mother show is happening in just a couple weeks and it’s going to be fantastic. We have a very talented cast of writers and performers, ready to blow you away with their heartache and hilarity. All in the name of motherhood. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day (a few days early!)

You can get to know the cast here. PLUS…you have a chance to win two free tickets to the show. Bring your best friend, your spouse, your mother…but take my advice and leave the monkeys and puppies at home.

Don’t miss out on the fun on May 9th at 7pm! Buy your tickets today!

An offering

Posted on April 17, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

In times of crisis, I always hit the road. Sometimes solo, sometimes surrounded by my familiar pack. The breathing, the rhythm, the simple act of propelling myself onward, is a form of prayer for me. Running is my sanctuary; the running community my tribe.

This week, the miles mean even more, and I’m offering them up to those who need healing and peace. May we all find it.

“One might say running is an absurd pastime. But if you can find meaning in the kind of running you must do…then you may find meaning in the other absurd pastime: Life.”
~Bill Bowerman

A keeper

Posted on April 12, 2013 by PeaceLoveGuac

Leo has been here 12 days and so far has learned to play tag, climb up a 10-ft slide, and participate in a variety of one-act plays, obstacle courses and general shenanigans.