Last Thursday of the Month - May

It's literally been years since I played this game; here we go:

Current Scent: There's a honeysuckle candle burning in the other room. It reminds me of my sister, she used to wear that perfume years and years ago!
What I am reading: Richard Russo's Empire Falls. It takes place in Maine.
Newest Music: I've been mixing and matching, and my favorite song right now is Annie Lennox's version of I've Got A Spell On You
Movie I saw: .. this is embarrassing .. I don't remember the name! Something old on cable!
Something Yummy: Have you had shredded unsweetened coconut? Great snack!
The Last Place I ate: I had to admit this .. Ground Round for lunch
Something that made me cry: Last week, a conversation that made my insecurities come screeching out
Something that made me laugh: It must have been this past weekend when we were camping
Something I look forward to in June: I am hoping for summer weather, warmth and sunshine
Something I want to remember from May: Bruce turned 10. It's been a year since I've seen my girl
Something I am thankful for: Always aside from the health of my kids .. I am thankful for my job
A photo I took last month:

Day 2

Tonight I am grateful for:

My kayak

Sunsets

Quiet moments on the water

Summer nights

This stage of my life

the sound of my kayak cutting the water

Thursday 13

A new Thursday 13 from me .. Right now! (borrowed from Janet, who borrowed from Dawn)


1. I am thinking… that my belly is full from dinner, that my glass of wine taste delicious ..

2. I am thankful for… my healthy kids, my health .. my jobs .. my friendships and day to day relationship!

3. From the kitchen… the aromatic smell of Sweet Potato Chicken Curry taunting me!

4. I am wearing… Old Navy pink fleece pj pants, t-shirt and fleece sweater .. comfy clothes after a long parent/teacher conference day

5. I am creating… a new life for me and the teenagers ... and I think it's starting to work for us! The parent teacher conferences went so well .. I just kept hearing what great kids they are, how smart they are (if she would only apply herself!) ..

6. I am going… to take a trip to Australia someday.. and take pictures of Koala Bears

7. I am reading… Still reading The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells and can’t wait to start the next book ..

8. I am hoping… that the extra hours of work will pay off at the end ..no pun intended!

9. I am hearing… Dr Phil talking about “mothers(in law) from h*ll” .. and the dog licking things I don’t want to know about ..

10. Around the house… I see lots of pet hair every where .. I need to break down and purchase that fancy vacuum cleaner to make living conditions more acceptable to me.

11. One of my favorite things… a glass of red wine.. so much power in such a little glass

12. A few plans for the rest of the week… hoping to get some extra hours in, since I wasn’t able to go in today... really, I need to also finish framing pictures that I promised my xmil .... since Mother's Day!

13. A picture to share…

Sunday Stealing on Halloween

It’s that time again, if you want to play, click here ..

1. What inspires you to blog? the inspiration comes from just living day to day with two teenagers in my zoo called home.
2. What’s the best thing about blogging, for you? I’ve met some neat people through blogging .. and I love venting at times. 
3. What is your favorite book of all time? hmm.. books and movies.. I have a hard time remembering them. 
4. It’s 9pm and for some reason you’ve been hungry all day, despite the three square meals. What do you rustle up? Cheese and crackers .. and wine 
5. Who are three of your style icons? haha .. style icons? As in getting dressed? I don’t have icons .. but I do like to bounce ideas off of Janine ..she has a great knack for putting things together.
6. What’s your current favorite song/piece of music? I keep going back to Miranda Lambert’s The House That Built Me .. it reminds me of early summer .. and learning about myself  
7. What is the last book you read? I’m still reading a book I started this summer ..The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder 
8. What is your current favorite recipe? it’s not a favorite, but it’s the easiest .. the Chicken Chipotle soup  
9. Who or what first inspired you to set up your own blog? Tommie!
10. What object could you not live without? I don’t think there is an object I couldn’t live without .. but if I had to choose .. my laptop probably
11. Where do you see yourself in ten years? I want to get through the next 3 years first .. see what choices my kids make for colleges .. see where I am in my working life … one day at a time, right?
12. Who or what made you into the person you are today? oh .. I believe that the people we meet, may it be for a day, a month or a year .. play a part in which path we choose .. and the same goes for what we experience ..obviously my parents and my sisters have played a role, my ex, my kids …and the influences that are in my life now will play a part in how I choose to grow up!
13. What have your learned from blogging? That I do enjoy writing
14. Knowing what you now now, what knowledge would you pass on to your past self? Stop .. and listen to your gut .. take more pictures .. especially when I was in school. 
15. Sunday roasts - lunchtime or evening meal? How about early supper?
16. What has been your best blogging-related experience so far? Gosh darn..best blogging related experience .. that I won the book that I’m reading through another blogger??

Happy first week of NOVEMBER …. is it really that late in the year?!?

Sunday Stealing

It's time to play Sunday Stealing ... play along .. click here
41. What are your plans for this weekend?  I had so many plans this weekend .. I wanted to take the kids camping, then to Schoodic .. but then the teenagers wanted their boy/girl friends to go .. on this day, she couldn't go .. on this day, he had to work ... well, guess what guys .. we're not going to go .. I'm happy to stay home and just do solo kayak day trips.. or just go to the movies with my best friend ..
42. Do you think someone might be thinking poorly about you? Why might that be? I am sure someone, somewhere is thinking poorly of me .. I couldn't imagine why .. I am such a nice, sweet person .. haha! If I had to point and shoot, I would think my ex ..
42. What features don't you have that you would like on your cell? hmm..my iphone is pretty cool ..don't think I have any complaints
43. How many people can comfortably sleep in your bed? so... is that with me in it?!?! oh wait, the size of my bed?? It's a full .. two CAN sleep in it ..but it gets pretty crowded .. so .. to answer the question .. one can sleep comfortably ..two can sleep in it when it isn't 90 degrees, and there's no touching!
44. What are you hoping happens by the end of 2010? well, one thing I have learnt about 2010 .. nothing has gone the way I planned .. so I am just going to let 2010 run it's course .. it's about 'going with the flow' ...  
45. What was the last video you watched on YouTube? that would be the "swagger wagon" on April's site.
46. Would you ever agree to an open relationship with someone? open as in .. let's have it the way we want it with whom ever? .. not just 'no' ... but H3LL to the NO!
47. Is there something that you could never give up? hmm .. I'm deciding whether it's chocolate or red wine .. I think it's the red wine ..
48. Would you, (or did you) prefer a small, intimate wedding reception, or a big-scale, over-the-top reception? small and intimate
49. What’s bothering you right now? the fact that I can't seem to get out of my chocolate craving .. all I can think about at this moment is chocolate no bakes .. I made a batch on Friday night .. consumed some .. then thank goodness Teenager girl ate them all .. I want brownies and ice cream .. I want M&M with pretzel centers .. It's driving me crazy that this is all I can think of. (oh dear, you know what they say about substitute and chocolate .. maybe I'm lacking something good and sweet!)
50. Do you hate anyone? No .. I'm not a hater ..
51. What were you doing at 12 am last night? sleeping in my full size bed
52. Was this summer a good one? How warm was it where you live? YES >> this summer was awesome .. the weather was f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s .. I don't want to let it go
52. Is the last person you kissed before your current situation mad at you? I'm not sure if he is mad at me .. I'm sure I am not on his favorite people person list
53. Can a man and woman be friends without having feelings for each other? ohhh .. I say yes .. just don't get ever explore the possibilities in your mind .. I think there are several factors to a relationship  .. there's the physical attraction, the personality compatibility, where the morals and values are similar, and the basic "i really like being with this person" ... I think all three (four) have to have a strong presence in order for it to go beyond the friendship. (plus the moons need to be in alignment at the same time .. and Pluto needs to ride with Venus for it all to really work!)
54. Do you think long distance relationships work? If you’ve had one, tell us about it. That's tough .. I think it's a way to build a strong bond, as long as there is honesty .. and the expectations are kept real. I always swore that long distance relationships couldn't work just because I had a broken one in my senior year, many moons ago .. but now with the age of instant technology ...I think the communication piece is better ... sooooooooo ... maybe?! 
55. Do you know why it’s called “Random Boredom“? What is called "Random Boredom"?
56. Do you thing that it’s always the man’s responsibility to initiate sex? I have never thought it was the man's responsibility to initiate sex .. I just need to get over the fear of rejection factor!
57. Have you ever made love while you were in the same room with another couple? uhhhh ...humm... room ... no?! Wait, is this a trick question?
58. Tell us the best thing about your current or most recent S/O. My S/O? does that stand for special other/significant other/someone other [than]..(is that what we call it now??) ..sounded like "special order" or something .. i haven't placed a special order recently!  haha!
59. Tell us the worst thing about your current or most recent S/O.  I am sure the question is more about personality of a person (rather than the special order!) .. but if there was a "worst thing" then it wouldn't be part of the personality traits that make someone so attractive .. we all have our positives and negatives .. it's what makes the person .. it's about making sure that we can balance the good with the bad.

I couldn't resist ... end of summer is so inevitable .. the flowers are losing their luster.. but then I looked again ..


The colors are just going to be different .. still pretty.

*this was the last blog I tried to post right before my laptop crashed ... **

Friday Fill-Ins

 

It's Friday again ... click here to play ..

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes _we'll meet____.
2. _the fact that it's Friday, and I want to go home__ is what's been on my mind on and off all day.
3. "Remember when _old ones died, and new were born, and life was changed, disassembled, rearranged .We came together, fell apart, and broke each other's hearts .. remember when"_.
4. _Melted M&M's, a warm brownie with  oreo cookie ice cream and passionate kisses___ are three of my favorite obsessions :-)
5. During the last year _we have lived in three different houses,  and the kids have been in two different schools,  we have seen so much change._
6. _Deep fried ice cream_ puts a smile on my face.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _wine and pizza, and perhaps a sunset kayak_, tomorrow my plans include _kayaking, maybe a run, and  groceries____ and Sunday, I want to _finally have breakfast with Cyn,  and some form of body moving..ya.. exercise_!

 

Happy weekend!

Sunday Stealing

Cheers to all of us thieves! This is where I go to Sunday Stealing to have some fun for the end of the weekend ... Click here to play.. 
1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago? hmm, that would have been March .. let me think ...  I think I am
2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn't have? Yes .. most definitely ..and I would do it again! (hah!)
3. Can you sleep in total darkness? I can, but I don't like to
4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who got away, what do you say? I think I would be speechless ..
5. What do you think about the weather this summer? it was the best weather Maine has seen in quite a while
6. How many people do you trust with everything? just a few .. it's how honest they are with me that scares me!!!!
7. What was the last thing you drank? Red Wine .... silly question
8. Is there anyone you want to come see you? What a self serving question ....
9. Name one thing you love about winter?  I love the sound of the air when the snow has stopped falling ..
10. Have you ever dated a Goth? the answer would be no ..
11. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?  it's Monday ... another day I can hug my kids? oh, wait .. they are teenagers now, they don't like to be hugged ..haha .. I crack myself up sometimes
12. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having?  hmm, dislike the day I'm having .. I had a good day.. I need to take teenager's boyfriend home .. I dislike that
13. What's the longest that you have committed to one person and one person only? that would be the marriage I had ..
14. What’s the first thing you did when you opened your eyes today?  jumped .. there was a handsome man in my bed! (ohhh.. now I'm really rolling on the floor laughing!)
15. Has anyone ever told you they never want to ever lose you?  actually yes .. it was my ex ... action speaks louder than words
16. Is there anybody that you wish you could fix your relationship with?  yes .. I don't like leaving relationships unresolved ..
17. Could you go out in public, looking like you do now?  yes .. t-shirt and shorts ..
18. Do you think things will change in the next 3 months? How?  I think there are a lot of things that will change in three months .. We'll be in November .. GULP ... cold air .. holiday season .. I can feel the stress already ... I don't like Christmas (yes, **April**!!) ... can we skip and go straight to Spring in three months?
19. Do you believe that you never know what you got until you lose it?  Yes ... isn't that the same as Hindsight 20/20? That's why I try live for the now moment .. and try and maximize every moment ... wait, was this question referring to material things?? I forgot my cooling racks in Texas .. and a lot of other things .. that big mirror that was in the hall way .. all that furniture that I could have used in this house .. but I knew I had that ..  oh dear, now I'm confused ..  
20. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?  Yes ..... actually I have several .. I like my men friendships ..

Another kayak moment ....

Happy Children's Day!

        

Another race day! This was a quick, fun race .. the start up of the town's Children's Day.

After the race we had a big parade .. who doesn't love a parade? I think it is so American .. never having been raised this way .. parades down main street was just something we saw in the movies ... just like the yellow school buses ..

Photo taking is such a must during a parade .. 

 

It was a great day for a parade ....

Friday Fill Ins

Time to play again .. it's Friday!! Click here to play!

1. Laughter _is good for the soul___.

2. _I would like____ are the three words that started off the last email I sent.

3. What I'm most looking forward to today is _5:00pm .. I'm ready for the weekend again____.


4. _Feeling that motion, when the kayak slides from being on the beach to actually floating,__ puts a smile on my face.  (who are we kidding, it puts a huge grin on my face!)


5. Where in the world _"is Matt Lauer" came from the google search when I couldn't complete the sentence!__

6. _Coming home late last night, and enjoying freshly made chocolate covered strawberries that teenage girl had made was__ just what I needed!


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _grilling some steak, then watching teenage son's girlfriend play soccer__, tomorrow my plans include _an attempt to run a 5K, probably some furniture moving, a possible dinner__ and Sunday, I want to _ go kayaking?____!

Thursday Thirteen

So, back in May I did a T13 with random questions from People magazine .. there are enough doctor/orthodontist/dentist visits .. so more questions were collected! Feel free to copy and paste .. go ahead.. take advantage of my hard work ..!! Make sure to sign in at T13 to say you played!

Generally when I play these questionnaire things I try to answer with the first thing that comes to mind .. kind of like when you take a multiple choice test. Of course, it can get you into serious trouble at times ... and other times you realize you could have been much more PC .. but what fun is that?! Kind of like the whole truth serum thing ... drink a little too much .. and oops! WATCH OUT ...those words come flowing out!!

 

Guilty Pleasure: Can I say I don't have one? Oh .. okay .. I have many .. my favorite, in the summer .. a long day on the water in my kayak

 

Drives Me Crazy: Bruce ...yes, my dog .. not the man (Bruce Willis) ... although men ...

 

Wish I Had: A money tree .. don't misunderstand me, I'm not materialistic .. I want to provide better for my kids ..

 

Could Really Use: More days off .. paid of course! I believe we should adopt Holland's policy and have six weeks paid vacation ..

 

Deserted Island Must Have: Silly, silly ... kayak and paddle ... sun tan oil #4 .... okay,  a stud muffin to apply the oil ... one of those canopy beds on the beach .. was this one of those 'only one item' things?! oops!

 

One of the Hobbies: I would like to perfect is my photo style .. sometimes I feel like I'm all over the place ..

 

Secret Obsession: this is a trick .. once on blog, it is no longer a "secret" obsession .. haha! Do I even have an obsession? I guess that's a question for my girlfriends .. okay .. sometimes it's the quest for the perfect picture .. I don't think I obsess a lot .. maybe in phases .. haha! :next question!

 

Personal Play list: Like as in music? Right now I have a few songs, House That Built Me, The Only Exception .. I'm in the reflective mode right now

 

Place to Go Back to: Repulse Bay, Hong Kong. That is what first came to mind .. not sure why, I think because during my junior year I went there often during school .. and if I pondered long enough, then I would like to go back to Penang, beach ..Bali, beach ... Hawaii, beach ..... hmmmmmm, oh my! I think I just created a pattern!

 

Favorite Chore: so, I like to fold laundry .. 

 

Role Model: ugh .. that's tough .. I used to have a role model about 15 years ago .. a co-worker who seemed so balanced in life.. I don't know if I have a role model anymore .. maybe that is why I lack direction .. haha! I think there are basic rules, and we don't need role models : I just realized, I think I'm too afraid to be disappointed if I made someone my role model and they faltered .. hmmm, what does that mean?

 

Want to Meet/Reunite: I would love to see Paul again ... not for anything but to just say 'hi', and find out how life has treated him.

 

Preferred Greeting: Okay, immediate response: uhhh?? greeting? Like Ms Brandt?! .. or greeting like when you get my voicemail? ... or ... like "hey buddy!" okay, okay .. preferred greeting: always positive and cheerful whether to me or from me

Weekend is almost here!!! Happy Thursday!

Weekend Recap

Yay! Another road race ... and this was by far the best one yet! Cape Elizabeth is a beautiful town, great spectators ... and just overall a well put together race. One of the best moments was coming to mile three, and seeing a fire truck on each side of the road, with their ladders extended and an American flag suspended in the middle. It was the coolest thing, wish I could've taken a picture!
After the race I ventured to a summer party held at a house on the Saco River ... ahhh ...gorgeous! Once again .. on the water with friends .. adult beverages and food ...

 The good life!

Sunday Stealing

Shamelessly stolen from Sunday Stealing .. Click here to play

Cheers to all of us thieves!

45. Favorite color? In the summer .. coral
46. Have you ever slapped someone? I don't think I have .. I know I would have liked to ..
47. Is your hair curly? not curly ... noo
48. What was the last CD you bought? last CD bought?! .. that would have been in Texas .. and I would think it was Mama Mia soundtrack..it's been awhile!!
49. Do looks matter?  As much as I hate to admit this .. yes, somewhat
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?  hmm.. forgive for what? I'm not a grudge holder ..
51. Is your phone bill sky high? Perspective ... in September my cell phone bill was $700.00 .. sky high yes, it was the situation..
52. Do you like your life right now? I don't NOT like my life! I have so much good going on, with a few struggles ..
53. Do you sleep with the TV on? no.. I couldn't sleep with it on
54. Can you handle the truth? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! One of the few lines from a movie I can remember! Yes, I can handle the truth .. I would rather the truth than to be lied to.
55. Do you have good vision? -2.25 ou.. I can function, but don't let me drive. Oh, and I'm presbyopic ... what the hell!
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Not a hater ..  there are some folks I would like to have a piece of conversation with.. but would they listen?
57. How often do you talk on the phone? To whom? I talk daily
58. The last person you held hands with? hmmm.. that would be the one with nice hands!
59. What are you wearing? this question always freaks me out .. it's a stalker question!
60. What is your favorite animal? I don't have a favorite .. it would hurt too many feelings! .. haha .. I love polar bears
61. Where was your favorite picture taken at? once again .. this favorite thing .. I have many favorite pictures! What makes it a favorite is the moment, not the place ...
62. Can you hula hoop? hahaha .. kidding right? If I can't take a step class.. I certainly can't do the hula hoop ..
63. Do you have a job? yes, I work ..
64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Apart from groceries today ... two summer dresses a couple of weeks ago
65. Have you ever crawled through a window? hahaha .. YES ..my son's window ....  I needed to see why it was wide open when there was central air blowing  (it was 6 AM)... ..

happy new week!

Little Princess ..

Today I abandoned most of my motherly duties, and decided to go kayaking by myself to get a little air. I wasn't sure what I was looking for; but I knew I just wanted to be in a kayak out looking! I came across this little princess .. a proud moment! For once I was able to see the eyes peeking out of the water from afar!

 

Happy Weekend!

In a nutshell, this was my weekend ... one big kayak time! I went twice on Saturday, and twice on Sunday ... both days were fabulous .. my last big hoorah before I was back to being mom! (okay.. so I never stopped, but it was fun to have moments where could I pretend!)

Here is where I park the kayak, and I grab my book ... and let the sun do her thing ..did I mention ...

I love being back in Maine!

(now if I could only find my running aura ..)

Sunday Stealing ...

Another weekend gone! So as to get my blog mind started again, I'm going to use this meme ... stolen the theme from April .. but link here to play along ... it's all fun!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My face
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?  I don't wear hoodies ..
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? mmmmm... most definitely .. but the REAL question is, would he kiss me again??
4. Do you plan outfits?  plan outfits? Like as in work? .. ya, usually 3 minutes before putting it on... does that count?
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?  feeling relaxed .. a busy weekend!
6. What's the closest thing to you that's red? LOL my glass of red wine
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? hmmm, I don't remember my last dream ..
8. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes .. just chatting..
9. What are you craving right now?   HAHA .. really?? oh wait, craving, that's food ... hmmm .. you know, I can honestly say nothing right now (that's a first!)
10. Do you floss? Not often enough
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?  lol .. go to April's blog!  Okay, if I didn't see April's .. I'd say corned beef.
12. Are you emotional? Emotional what? See me when I'm angry, I guess I get emotional then..
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Man, that would be a long count up.. so,  no.. I'm not that patient..
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?  Bite .. again, not so patient!
15. Do you like your hair? today .. no, .. I'm still debating..
16. Do you like yourself?  I think so ..

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?  oh yes ..
18. What are you listening to right now?  A CD by Kenny Chesney ( I know!) .. I was in a reminiscing mood ..
19. Are your parents strict? Were they? Not so much .. they didn't need to be .. we were so good!!
20. Would you go sky diving? .....it's really not on my bucket list!
21. Do you like cottage cheese? I don't mind it ... it's not my first choice of dairy product ..
22. Have you ever met a celebrity? I don't think so.. I would ask what constitutes a celebrity? ...

Cyn and I went on a whale watch last weekend ..who knew it was so difficult to photograph a whale!

Fabulous Kayak weekend!

So this will  be a double post .. which means it counts as two posts since I am falling behind … only because I had such a great weekend!! First a little ridiculous news …. just slap the “L” on my forehead … I was going to run a race .. but oh, you can’t run a race on Sunday when it was scheduled on Saturday! Shall we review the ‘how to read a calendar’ class again ….. …..!

Okay .. on to new and much better things! Saturday night I had the pleasure of experiencing something new: a full moon paddle on the Penobscot! It was so cool! … and added benefit … there was an eagle perched on a tree. The pictures aren’t that great because I didn’t want to bring the Rebel .. so it was a point and shoot and my I phone .. and it was getting dark out. This was such a cool experience .. I’m definitely doing it again in July .. thank goodness the full moon comes out every month!

Of course no real good pictures of the full moon…!

So today I went and kayaked on my most favorite river ..in Belfast. You launch in the harbor and then paddle up and it becomes a river. I have no idea when it turns from ocean water to river … one of those mysteries I will just enjoy paddling in … but the weather was perfect .. and it felt so great to be back on this body of water.  On the way back the wind had picked up and it was tough going back towards the harbor .. that’s when the eagle was spotted. I’m surprised the picture came out as well as it did considering every time I stopped paddling, I would float backwards and sway side to side, away from him.

What a great weekend!! If the weather stays this great … my kayak and I are going to best friends! Between this weekend and last weekend I saw so many places where you could paddle to, climb out and just spread a blanket, bring a lunch, a good book and relax for the day …….

ahhhhh … i love being back in Maine!

Thursday 13 .. the month of June

A photo of:  A peony

Current Scent:  I’m so boring .. no scents

What I am reading:  I can’t wait … I have two books waiting for me!  A Slice of Life sent me a new book!

Newest music added to my playlist:  Last week I added Tim McGraw with Faith Hill .. Like We Never Loved At All

Movie I saw: The last movie I saw was with Nelson .. The Killers .. it was very cute and funny.

Something yummy:  it’s all yummy!

The last place I ate at: I think would have been for lunch at the 99

Something that made me cry:  Putting my kids on that plane!

Something that made me laugh:  how about smile? I smiled at the box that was sitting at my door step!

Something that I look forward to in July:  more Summer!!

Something I want to remember from this month: Road races, lots of  kayaking .. just knowing we are in summer ..

Something that I am thankful for:  my running legs! (and of course always the usual!

A photo I took this month: 

My favorite moments! <I’m so boring!>

Happy Almost Weekend!

Long day!

What a day! It started with a fabulous run … fabulous because after Sunday’s snail pace event, today’s run was smooth, the pace was comfortable and .. the company was good.
Anyways, after my run .. we drove over to the orthodontist because that kind man double booked teenager girl so she could have her braces off before going to Texas …. what a great guy … to show our appreciation we baked him a tiramisu cheese cake! New recipe … OMG … it was delicious. The man had three slices by the time we left!! He is training for a triathlon … so I guess he can eat the whole thing …
Then we had to race to get on the road for the airplane ride. Four hours to the airport … they got on the plane  and off into the New Hampshire sunset … (okay, okay .. no sunset .. just sky) Four hours back to Maine ….enough of the complaining … I do it because I can! (the complaining)
I went straight from the airport to my photo class. They were naming the  photos for the upcoming gallery show … please give me some ideas!

This is the plan that took my babies away!

The girl with her new teeth!

Weekend Recap

Today was race day … and the weather was scheduled to give us thunder showers … well, Mother nature couldn’t have surprised us more! We ended up with humid, 80’s, bright sunny weather. Now, please, don’t misunderstand me .. normally I would love the heat .. especially during kayak season .. but for an 8.5 mile road race … it would benefit all of us if it was 50’s and cloudy. Let’s just say I finished the race! There will be no bragging rights!  I was contemplating a 10 miler next week … I’m seriously reconsidering!

On to more cheery news .. did I mention that my awesome photo teacher gave me a lens to play with? .. I am falling in love again .. it’s the coolest thing and I certainly haven’t experimented with it to it’s fullest capabilities … (life seems to keep getting in the way!) With this new lens, and a friend’s flower garden .. it’s been fun shooting.

So really, this weekend was great .. I was able to enjoy my three favorite activities .. kayaking, running and photo taking ..  now if only I could make money while enjoying them!!

Kayaking day!

What a great day today!!

This morning each teenager had a place to go to at 6 AM this morning …. LMAO .. they weren’t too thrilled to be up that early considering they are on vacation!!! I promptly fell back asleep after they had walked out the door, and at 9 decided it was time to start the day. It was soooooo gorgeous out … and since I wasn’t in Vermont enjoying hot air balloons … the next best thing would be kayaking!!! (…and extra bonus …. not guilt feelings of desertion!)

It was so nice to be out. I went to two different ponds ..

Both photos taken with my Iphone .. love that piece of communication tool! What a great day!!

Tomorrow: race day!