Shake a Tailfeather!

Throw-Back Thursday from a summer day in June....a long, long time ago!  This is me at the beach with my mom and friends.  I will always treasure the wonderful memories (thank God I still have some) of my days at the beach!  

Today's post is brought to you by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.  Please stop by and enjoy the posts of others who share their hearts and souls!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!

Visions of Summer

I remember the carefree days of summer in California. We had the beach, the park and a gazillion pools!  I miss those days!

The Park

Grandma at the Pool

Little Tykes after a swim

Dipping with the Bro

Mother's Beach, Long Beach, CA...no teens, no adults without kids!

Camp Pendleton, CA

Unheated Pool in Woodland Hills, CA

Newport Dunes, CA

Hope you enjoyed some of my best memories of summer when we lived in California.  Please visit Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop to enjoy more stories of some of her favorite people!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great summer weekend!

Wednesday Wickedness - AJ Style

I recently found this great meme sponsored by Janera at Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, she posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. Angelina Jolie is this week's guest. I hope you enjoy her quotes and my sometimes quirky responses!

1. “All women do have a different sense of sexuality, or sense of fun, or sense of like what's sexy or cool or tough.” What do you do to feel sexy?

I look at pictures of me when I was 25.


2. “I don't think the money people in Hollywood have ever thought I was normal, but I am dedicated to my work and that's what counts.” Do you think people think you are normal?

Not in the least! I can back that up with testimony.


3. “If you ask people what they've always wanted to do, most people haven't done it. That breaks my heart.” What have you always wanted to do?

Brad Pitt. Actually, I really would love to learn the Tango, and then dance it with Brad Pitt.


4. “There's something about death that is comforting. The thought that you could die tomorrow frees you to appreciate your life now.” What do you appreciate the most about your life at this time?

Waking up at 5:00am every day and not finding any toe tags on me. Actually, I appreciate everything about my life; family, friends, sight, hearing and God's grace.


5. “Where ever I am I always find myself looking out the window wishing I was somewhere else.” If you could be somewhere else, where would you be and why?

I would be living in a modest cottage on the beach somewhere with warm weather so I could leave my windows open and listen to the waves. Ideally, Brad would be there, too!


6. “I need more sex, OK? Before I die I wanna taste everyone in the world.” Have you ever felt that you need more sex to be happier?

Not, at all. I think the message that we need more sex to be happy is overrated, overly advertised, and totally unfounded. A good book, a good movie, the perfect mate, or a night out with my peeps can bring more, and longer lasting happiness than any shag could.


7. “If I make a fool of myself, who cares? I'm not frightened by anyone's perception of me.” Have you ever made a fool of yourself? If yes, spill.

At least once a day! Spill? Not on your life!


8. “I don't believe in guilt, I believe in living on impulse as long as you never intentionally hurt another person, and don't judge people in your life. I think you should live completely free.” How often do you feel guilty?

Angie, look where "living on impulse" has gotten you! Brad will have to build a shoe for all of the kids you have! And, someday you will be that old woman, and although you may not feel guilty, you may also not feel free. I feel guilty about not being better at life when I have so many opportunities to become better. I think it is a common feeling that is shared by many.


9. “I never like being touched, ever. People used to say I held my breath when they were hugging me. I still do.” Are you ever uncomfortable being touched?

Not in the least! Bring the touching on! I love the exchange of electricity I get when touched by my kids or good friends.


10. “Oh, God, I struggle with low self-esteem all the time! I think everyone does. I have so much wrong with me, it's unbelievable!” Give us an example of what you’ve done when feeling low self-esteem.

Eat until I pass out; max out the Visa; and hit a Starbucks with my BFFs.


Thanks for hanging out with me for a little while. Please pop over to Wicked and say hello! Just click on the logo for Wednesday Wickedness below!





Have a terrific Wednesday!

Find a Way!

Most of us don't want to acknowledge to ourselves or anyone else that we might be falling to great lows. I'll be the first to admit it! I don't want my friends or family to know about the negative thoughts I posses. I want them to think I am clever, entertaining and full of "happy" thoughts. Most people don't like to be around a depressed, worried and grumpy person. Yeah, I get really grumpy sometimes!

As a mom, I put all my energy into the well-being of my hubs and kids. I find that by getting out of myself and concentrating on others, I can temporarily avoid dealing with my stuff. Sometimes it works...for a little while. On those occasions when the moon, stars and galaxies are all in alignment, all you-know-what can hit the fan. It's either really, really good or terribly bad.

After the third child has hit his new low, I start laughing. To me, it's like a bad movie that is so bad, you can't help but think it's funny! However, movies come to an end... So, what's a mother to do? As one close to me always says, "put a rubber band around your head and snap out of it!" There is a point to that cliche.

My rubber band is that higher power out there that many of us call God. My cries have always been heard. The resolutions presented to me have not always been what I expected, but they have been forthcoming. If I can't figure out what I'm supposed to do, I go back to the source, and always come away with a workable solution.

Maybe that's why I'm writing this post. I've been out of sorts for a few weeks trying to cope with family stuff, personal stuff and so missing the beach where I would go and talk to him. It looks like my computer is my new "beach."

If you've been there, or are there now, with feelings of being trapped with no way out, try to find a "beach" of your own, where you can travel inward. It could be a place in your house, a park, a lake, or even a place of worship. I can usually feel a connection when there is plenty of light around. If I'm outdoors, the feeling can be enhanced by a breeze or distant sound. I truly believe there is always a way out, but I have to make the first move. Sometimes that move is really difficult. It helps when I imagine seeing the smiles on the faces of those close to me. I start moving for them, and end up moving for me.

I hope you find your way!

Day at The Beach Photo

I was thinking of entering this picture of Ed & Katya in a Beach Theme contest sponsored by an awesome photography blog. I'm very much a beginner and it's the first time I've ever done something like this. Please visit their blog by clicking on the i heart faces logo below, or by clicking here.



You should check out this blog if you love to take pictures, or if you just like to enjoy some wonderful works of art done by those who do take pictures. There are so many talented photographers out there!

Look for my upcoming post about the amazing time we had in California!

Tribute to a Brother

I recently asked Rick over at Organized Doodles to draw a picture of one of my two incredible brothers. Please go visit Rick and see his awesome talents both artistically and literary-ally!

My brothers live in California and in recent years, we have really become proficient at staying in touch with each other! I try so hard to keep up with birthday cards, notes and such, but sometimes I drop the ball and find myself doubling up (birthday plus Father's Day...birthday plus Memorial Day, etc.).

A little over a year ago, my brother Pedro was getting ready to donate a kidney to a co-worker. He was going through the last battery of hospital testing to make sure that all was well within. Wouldn't you know it, they found a tumor and he was unable to help out his friend with a kidney. He was really bummed about that. Pedro underwent radical chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor so it could be removed surgically. The operation was successful. He then continued on with chemo to make sure there was nothing left that was evil. Throughout all of this time, Pedro kept everyone in the family in stitches with his hospital jokes and his courageous fight with an attitude that would rival a hockey team that just made the Stanley Cup playoffs!

At the one year checkup, he was blessed with a clean slate as far as the tumor area was concerned, but there were a few spots on different organs that were suspicious. New game plan...new chemo to hack away at the new evil intruders. The attitude is still high as the Arch, and he takes one day at a time. It's a win-win situation as far as Pedro is concerned.

I have learned so much about what I take for granted. Pedro has taught me how to smile and face each day as if it were my first trip to the beach! Each morning I wake up and thank the big guy upstairs for my ability to breathe, to stumble out of bed, and to drag my sorry butt to my job. I am so, so very lucky!

Pedro, Ricardo and I (along with our children) are the heads of our family now. There are no grandparents or parents. Why is it that brothers and sisters can't seem to appreciate and enjoy each other until they are of the arthritic age? I hope to pass on to my children the importance and necessity of loving, fighting, caring, and giving to each other all along the way, not just "some day" when one of them is in trouble.

Go call a sibling, and tell them you love them, in spite of their jerkiness!