Always a Mom

What in the world would make you wanna get up in the morning and do that?

2011-11-07T10:15:00.003-05:00

It is a Monday morning.

To set the scene, currently living in this house with me, the 51 year old wife/mom, there are three men ages 52, almost 23 and 21, and one 18-year old daughter. As far as non-humans are concerned, we have the big black shedding machine that somehow manages to scarf down an entire bowl of little crunchy pieces of dog food and still avoid the one little dog-food-sized pill in the bowl. Impressive.

If you live here, on any given weekend day there will be sports playing on the television in the family room. If you get tired of that and want a nap, you can go lay on your parents' bed and watch a movie up there. If you have homework to do while you watch a movie, you can spread out your stuff all over the basement couch. You can come and go at all hours and drive here and there and who knows where. You can be tired of work. You can plan a trip abroad. You can borrow the big car to drive all the guys around. You can even leave at 11:00pm after begging for a later curfew.

If you attend grad school, college or high school classes, you can have lots of books, notebooks, paper and writing utensils. You can own shoes for sports, work, running and mowing. You can wear a variety of coats throughout the day and night. It is November, after all. You can get a new glass or cup for every drink and enjoy several cans of soda or bottles of water each day. And of course, you can eat.

Got the picture?
Then you will understand why I was cleaning out the spice cabinet at 9:00 this morning when Andy came downstairs and said, "What in the world would make you wanna get up in the morning and do that?"

Stone Harbor, Part 2

2011-09-13T22:34:00.001-04:00

I promised more Stone Harbor pictures and here are the fun, memorable ones that the whole world needs to see, even though 99.9% of the people on the planet have no clue or care that this blog exists. For those of you who are tuned in, enjoy!

I shall begin with a few pictures of gorgeous girls.
First, my Katie ...

And my sweet niece Caitlin ...

We began the vacation by celebrating August birthdays and our traditional "Christmas in July."

Here's my big brother Scott reading his 55th birthday cards ...

Caitlin and Mom brought gifts for all the girls from Kate Spade, where Caitlin works, in Philly. Not to be one-upped, Scott brought gifts for all the guys ...

Every summer for as long as we've been going to Stone Harbor, we have played games for prizes. Check out Gary's new glasses and Willie's tattoo sleeve!

This wonderful place brings back floods of memories for all of us, but mostly for my Mom, who takes time every day to say "hi to the ocean" and takes long, thoughtful walks along the water's edge.

Thanks for a ton of new memories, Mom & Dad (and Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim and Gramps and Grandma and Gran). I love you! xox

Like Starting a Diet...

2011-09-04T12:14:00.002-04:00

Every morning when I get up, I am bound and determined to start my diet. To write a new blog post. To pull those weeds. To call my friends and catch up. To cook a meal. To clean out the basement. To sort all those pictures. Ah, great expectations for 16 waking hours and all that they may bring!

And so, today, after months and months of nothing, I am back! I just can't let my 6 readers think nothing has happened here in Sterling since May. And so, if you all agree, I will pretend it is still summer for a while and catch you up on some fun summer adventures worthy of the written word.

Today's topic is our Annual Trip to Stone Harbor, Part 1: The Fancy Photos.

These are my favorites of the artsy photos that I just love to take but have no idea what to do with them after that. So what the heck. I'll make you look at them. Enjoy them, or speed through them until my next post (which I promise won't take 3 months) which will feature the pictures I took of my family and the fun we had.

We'll start with the sunrise over the ocean ...

Add some fun flowers ...

And a few great bird shots for Betty ...

And finish strong with the sunset over the back bay ...

The beauty of Stone Harbor. It warms my soul.

Cards Keep Flying Through my Head

2011-05-31T23:33:00.004-04:00

I just finished uploading some new cards onto my YMLYGifts.com website. I could create new ones everyday, except that printing them out, making them into 2 different jpg sizes, uploading them onto the website, attaching all the details (size, weight, inside text, etc.) takes such a long time for this 50-year old brain to handle on a daily basis.

Thought you might like to see my new favorite line of cards. I have LOVED my photo notecards for a long time, but other than my mom, my mother-in-law and my second mom Ann across the street, no one seems very interested in blank notecards with pretty pictures on them. So, I added some amazing Bible verses onto 5 of them (more to come if folks like them) and here's what they look like:

Andy's a UM Alumni!

2011-05-20T22:57:00.005-04:00

Today, Andrew Scott Mears graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Accounting from the Robert H. Smith School of Business. We are so proud of our son!

Andy with his Poppo, Mom, Dad and Mammaw.

Andy and his sis, Kayti.

(Brother Willie is camping on the Appalachian Trail.)

Buddies: Chris, Andy, Mitch and Mikey

Andy and Katie

I found him! There's my boy!

Congratulations, Andy. We love you so much!

NYC 2011 ... Kayti's Best-Ever Spring Break!

2011-04-21T21:46:00.025-04:00

Kayti & I went to New York City for spring break again this year.

We did some old favorites ... rode the ferris wheel in Toys R Us, ate oatmeal at Jamba Juice, shopped at the NBC Store, ate a delicious dinner at the Brooklyn Diner (sat where Dermot Mulroney, Neil Patrick Harris and Al Roker sat), and spent hours in the Strand Bookstore.

BUT THIS YEAR, we saw the "Addams Family" on Broadway (great music, loved Wednesday). We also went up to the Top of the Rock.

And ate soft pretzels on the street corner (our favorite lunch!).

And bought some very cool boots at Urban Outfitters.

And on Monday, we met cousin Steven for dinner at Serendipity for great conversation and Frozen Hot Chocolate. Steven attends Columbia and is Kayti's movie mentor. He brought Kayti an advertisement for a new play, "The Normal Heart," opening on Broadway Tuesday night, starring none other than Kayti's favorite actor, LEE PACE, along with Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory" and Ellen Barkin.

To make an amazing long story short, Tuesday morning Kayti and I got last minute, just-releasaed tickets for the opening night of "The Normal Heart" ... seats typically saved for producers ... in the second row! The show was the best we've ever seen. It was the true, moving, profound and awe-inspiring story of the brave men and their doctor who first experienced the outbreak of AIDS in New York City and it was something we will never forget.

Of course, we will also never forget the opportunity to get autographs after the show...

AND PHOTOGRAPHS with LEE PACE (Oh. My. Goodness. Kayti could barely breathe after this ... and rightfully so!)

On our last day, we saw "La Cage Aux Folles" (fun, fun!) and ended our trip with a stop at one of our favorite NY retreats, Bryant Park, where we were moved by the Empire State Building shrouded in fog.

It was our best trip to date. We've got the hang of it now ... how to get around, how to schedule (or not) our nights and days, and where to stay, eat, and shop. And, most importantly, how to find the stars after the show!

A Reasonable Excuse

2011-02-26T16:57:00.008-05:00

I have always told Andy, Willie & Kayti that skipping school on days when they are not sick is a privilege earned by being good students, great kids and by meeting several key criteria:

(1) There may be no tests during the class(es) that will be missed.

(2) There may be no prep for tests during the class(es) that will be missed.

(3) I will not lie when I phone-in their absence, and

(4) The justification for the truancy must be reasonable.

Yesterday was an A-Day at Potomac Falls High School. Kayti's second class on A-Days is Latin 4, a class in which she has over 100%.

(1) No test.

(2) No test prep.

(3) "Kayti will be leaving at 10:45 today. She should be back by noon."

(4) Blockbuster Video was closing. All the movies were on sale.

Kayti bought 10 movies.

More than reasonable.

Crisp or Cozy?

2011-02-09T16:34:00.006-05:00

Among life's important decisions comes the choice of bedding ... sheets, blanket and bedspread. (Stick with me, please. I never promised only lofty topics on this blog!) Where some prefer crisp, slightly stiff, "right off the clothesline" sheets, the kind that in an ideal world would have been ironed before being placed upon the bed, others opt for the silky, soft, cozy sheets that you just melt into each night. The third option for sheets rides down the middle of the crisp vs. cozy extremes, and typically falls into the category of "On Sale at Bed Bath & Beyond."

While I'm not suggesting that bedding is worth a hefty chunk out of the family budget, I do believe that sheets and blankets and bedspreads that make you sigh with a mixture of pure exhaustion and pure elation when you slip into bed are well worth the money. As I get older, a good night's sleep has become more appreciated and cherished and I have become more attached to my bedding preference ... silky, soft, cozy everything, including sheets, blanket, down comforter and pillow.

Be that as it may, Gary is a crispy sheet guy. So our bed is a compromise made up of middle-of-the-road BB&B sheets, a soft cozy blanket and a regular quilted bedspread. Kayti, on the other hand, prefers a fine-tuned variety consisting of crisp sheets, a plush, soft, and cozy blanket, topped by a heavy denim-comforter. She calls this combination her "bedding parfait of good dreams!"

What's your preference?

A moment of peace.

2011-01-22T12:02:00.003-05:00

I am alone in the house.

My feet are on the coffee table.

The fireplace is on.

The pup is asleep on his bed.

I have my computer on my lap.

And as far as I know, all are safely where they are supposed to be.

Moments like this, right now, I cherish ... the quiet, unexciting, mundane, even a little boring moments when there is palpable peace.

Since the drop of the Times Square ball on January 1, 2011, 12:01 a.m., a lot has happened in my little world to help me appreciate the quiet times ... and more importantly, the power of prayer, the grace of God, and the peace that passes understanding:

• At midnight on New Year's Day, I was in Fairfax Hospital with my friend Jean and her husband Ed who fell from a ladder and broke his back, and later developed a dangerous blood clot.

• My next door neighbor Alyssa was in Loudoun Hospital with an intestinal infection.

• My mother-in-law Betty got pneumonia.

• My mother got shingles ... on her face, bless her heart.

• My father had his pace maker replaced.

• Andy rode in the ambulance taking his friend Mitch to the ER for stitches in his head.

• Andy's Volvo got hit by a crazy lady in a parking lot.

• My friend Linda fell down the stairs and broke her leg ... surgery. One plate, 13 screws.

• Kayti and I both got pink eye.

• Andy's girlfriend Katie had to put her sweet dog Luke to sleep.

• And last night Willie called and he got hurt playing basketball and has a hairline fracture in his ankle.

This is 21 days of life ... Ed, Alyssa, Mitch and Linda are all home from the hospital and healing. My mother is on the mend, albeit slowly. My father's pace maker is pacing just fine. Betty's second round of antibiotics are finally working. Despite the dent in his door, Andy went to be with Katie this weekend. Willie has tons of friends taking good care of him (thank you, Kelly, Coleman & David ... hi, Blaine!).

And, most importantly, GOD IS GOOD ... All the time!

Betty's Birds

2011-01-20T13:30:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year!

(No resolutions about keeping this blog going ... I will try to do better. For Willie.)

I know I've commented on earlier blogs about my growing fascination with birds. Lots of beautiful birds are enjoying Grandma Betty's bird feeders that grace our backyard now that she and Grandpa Fred have moved into Greenspring Village. Although this activity makes me feel old, it is quite entertaining watching the birds vie for position on the feeders and scatter frantically when the fat acrobatic squirrels jump from the porch onto the feeders to steal their seed.

I (pathetically, maybe) have been keeping my camera and telephoto lens handy lately to get some fun shots of the birds and the squirrels.

I was told that little cone would keep the squirrels out of the feeder ... this guy was undaunted by the cone and the ice on it. He's so fat he can barely make it to and through the fence when we send Kilmer out to chase him, but luckily for him, Kilmer is too stupid to find him in time.

Thank you, Betty, for sharing your love of birds and giving us your bird feeders. I am enjoying them immensely.

I'll never be an Independent Mary Kay Consultant

2010-11-13T08:31:00.005-05:00

Aside from the fact that I have no discernible skin care regime and wear the least bit of make-up possible, I could never be an Independent Mary Kay Consultant. Last night at a Holiday Bazaar at which both of us were vendors, my Independent Mary Kay Consultant friend, who meets all the requirements you would expect of an Independent Mary Kay Consultant, told me she was also showing her wares at another craft show in Ashburn that wants her to start setting up at 8:00 this morning. It was about 9:30 at night when she told me this and she was rather dramatic about the late hour and the need to get up so early the next morning.

She then pulled me close and in a low whisper, she confided in me that she was planning on going straight to bed, not even taking off her make-up, then getting up in the morning and not even showering and heading off to the show. Heck, I do that every other day!

But that's not the show-stopper here ... she was selling single gloves at her table with cute little signs on them calling them "Getting Gas Gloves." Apparently, Independent Mary Kay Consultants take off the nice gloves they have on in the cold winter months, pull a single pink glove out of the glove compartment and put it on their pumping gas hand so as to not soil their nice gloves.

Give me a break.

(Note to my Blog Readers, all 6 of you ... sorry it's been so long. Thanks for the nudges to get back to this from Willie & Sissy!)

'Ello to Ya!

2010-08-07T03:08:00.003-04:00

Life is good in London!

After a long flight and a first sleepy day of Bus touring, we spent our second day visiting the Tower and exploring Old London. Pete The Tour Guide on the bus taught us a lot about the City of London ... his grandmother survived the WWII bombings and he is very proud of his City, Christopher Wren and St. Paul's.

When Kayti and I were here 3 years ago, Big Ben was being restored, so this was the first time we actually heard him chime the hour.

This fine gentleman Beefeater talked to us for a long time ... learned a lot about what it takes to be a Yeoman Warden (apparently "Beefeater" is actually an insult) ... at least 22 years exemplary service in the military. Thirty-six Yeoman Wardens actually live in the Tower while working there. We later walked to St. Paul's, but we got there just as a Choral Concert was about to start, so we were unable to tour the building. We will return, no doubt, at a later date.

Here's the view from the South Bank of the Thames ... not all bad, huh?

Gotta go ... heading off to Portobello Road to search out fun 50th birthday gifties for Lori and old buttons for Jean.

Sonrise 2010

2010-07-23T16:22:00.006-04:00

I could spend an entire day taking pictures of little kids. It just makes me happy. Here are a few classics from my week with preschoolers at Sonrise 2010, our church's day camp. There were almost 300 kids there, ranging from 3-10 years old plus over 100 volunteers. Kayti took tons of video and is preparing a movie for church on Sunday. Willie led a small group of 19 5th grade boys and I led a group of 11 preschoolers. Luckily, we had high school helpers who deserve medals for giving countless piggyback rides!This is Campbell ... she is just over 3 years old.

Kayti and I both have a crush on Luke and his blue eyes, blonde curls and dimples. Sweetie, whose real name is Elaine-Rebecca, may only be four, but she can read and write like a 10 year old.

Sophia only came on Monday and Tuesday, but kept us laughing both days. The kids had to race out into a field covered in plastic cups, find the green ones (our team color), fill them with water and bring them to their leaders. Sophia filled a cup from a bucket far away from our team and proceeded to walk very very very slowly back, careful to not spill a drop despite the kids flying past her the entire time. It took her 5 minutes to come back with one cup!

Kayti also adores Matthew, who is holding up a picture he drew of his mom and dad. (Amoeba parents!)

Nathan had a hugh temper tantrum this morning, sobbing and crying in Spanish ... I had to finally get help from Edwin because high school Spanish would not help me console him. By snack time he was much better!

These four sweet kids barely spoke English. Christyan, Samuel, Valeska and Enrique. They were cold from getting all wet during game time outside. Thanks to them, my Spanish has improved somewhat ... I can say "Come Here," "No more," and "if you don't want to get wet, stay with me" (well, kinda ... si no gusta aqua, staya aqui con mi). It worked!

And here's Robbie with some of my group ... L-R front row ... Samuel, Luke, Christyan, Sweetie, Robbie and Nathan. Behind them is Jackie holding Campbell, Kristin holding Matthew and Amber holding Valeska. Behind them, pouting and refusing to be in the picture is Carter. He only participated if we were dancing.

Time for a nap.

The Lord's Pictures

2010-07-18T10:39:00.007-04:00

On Tuesday, July 13, God woke me up at 5:45am. I was startled by a case of the hiccoughs ... who gets hiccoughs in their sleep? A hiccough woke me up and I sat up, hiccoughed two more times, then said out loud to God, "Okay, I'm awake." I looked outside and the sky was yellow. I ran to the sliding glass door and saw this beautiful orange ball low in the sky, grabbed my camera and walked out to the beach. The orange ball was behind a cloud, so I began a nice little chat with God while I waited to see whatever He woke me up to see.

I wasn't the only human awake at that hour, but I was alone on the beach for quite some time, so I continued to talk aloud to God as I photographed His amazing sunrise. I don't know if He woke me just to talk or to also have me photograph His work, but here's what I saw that morning ...

What a wonderful way to start the day!

More about Kingsmill

2010-07-09T19:47:00.004-04:00

Our gathering at Kingsmill was wonderful. We were there to celebrate Betty & Fred's 60th wedding anniversary. We had so much fun all together. Here we are after the Monday brunch ... we're missing Doug, Diana, Sarah and Daniel, who all had to leave early that morning.
Several of us went into Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday ...

Jamie, Sarah, Kayti and I broke off from the group and headed straight to the candy store. While inside trying to decide which sweet treats we wanted to purchase, we saw a fellow tourist wearing a 3-cornered hat. We inquired as to where he bought it, and headed straight there.

We got one for each girl and proceeded down DOG Street (Duke of Gloucester) taking pictures with every costumed person we could find.
At the hotel, Betty spied an osprey nest on the top of a chimney ... we had fun watching the momma bird feed her babies throughout the weekend. Here's the momma ...On Sunday night we went out on the docks, put our feet in the warm water of the James River and watched the fireworks from Busch Gardens.

Happy Birthday, America. Happy Anniversary, Betty & Fred. It sure was fun celebrating together.

A Brief Note about Kingsmill ...

2010-07-04T08:42:00.003-04:00

Here I am, skipping along quite happily in Williamsburg with the entire in-law family ...

early morning walks

cards games along the James River

snow cones

poolside reading

miniature golf

and then I step into the fancy bathroom and I am slapped smack-dab in the face by a ridiculously huge magnifying mirror ...

zits

gigantic pores

hairs in places there shouldn't be hairs on women

yikes!

More to come once I return to the fold, including pictures, but trust me, there won't be any close-up shots!

Quick! Before they die ...

2010-06-11T10:38:00.005-04:00

Ask my friend Jean, my neighbor Ann, or my mother-in-law Betty, and if they are honest, they will tell you that I am horrible at keeping plants alive. Kids, dog, husband ... they are all thriving. Plants inside and outside the house are another thing. Betty once told me to not have any plants until the kids are grown and gone ... and yet I keep trying. So, here's a look at the wonderful blooms around my house. Look quickly. If history does indeed repeat itself, they will be dead by July 1st.

The tag said "At least 6 hours of full sun." No problem with that. Our south-facing front yard bakes every plant all day long!

Love this variety of Sweet Potato vine. It likes sun, too!

These are already more than I can handle. Although the tag said "At least 6 hours of full sun," it lied. These Gerbera daisies drink water every morning and are still mad at me by 2:00. They whine and moan through droopy flowers and rolled up leaves ... wimpy wimpy wimpy.

Daily watering for these, too ... they were a gift from Roberta ... fingers are crossed cause they are more whiney than the Gerberas for watering. Very dramatic drooping when thirsty! Impatien(t) is an understatement!

These wonderful perennial lilies are watered only by God. He does indeed take care of them just as He does me ... Too bad He doesn't mention Gerbera Daisies in the Gospels, too!

Coon Dog

2010-06-01T07:39:00.005-04:00

Each year we have lived here we have seen more wild animals moving into the neighborhood. Over the last week, we have seen several foxes, deer, bullfrogs, turtles, a blue heron and for the first time in almost 21 years, raccoons.

Kilmer found the two baby raccoons first ... they were just outside the fence and he immediately made it clear that he did not want either of them to stop in for a visit. One of them ran along the outside of the fence to safety, the other decided to fight the big black mutt on the other side of the fence. Big mistake. Kilmer picked it up in his mouth and shook it a bit, then tossed it a few feet before he finally heeded our frantic yelled and stopped. The baby raccoon ran back through the fence, then climbed the outside of the fence and sat on the top of the highest picket where the two fences met. His sibling came back along the outside of the fence and climbed up to join it.

Once the sibling got up there, it stayed close by and protected the other, despite the frightening crowd of humans who came to see them.

We were worried that the little one tossed by the dog was injured, but we read on the internet to just leave baby coons alone and the mother would come back to get them after dark. So we did just that and this morning they were both gone. Way to go Momma Coon!

Ironically, on Saturday, my parents came down to visit for the day and brought Kilmer a cute little yellow stuffed chick that squeaked. After 5 minutes of adorable play with the toy, Kilmer proceeded to rip it apart with a vengeance, pulling out the insides and shaking it from side to side until all the fluff and both little squeakers were flying all over the porch.

We actually discussed this behavior and winced at the thought of how awful it would be if Kilmer actually had treated another living creature the same way. We're so thankful he let go of that sweet little raccoon.

Road Trip for Snow Cones

2010-05-27T10:49:00.008-04:00

Kayti and I love snow cones.

As snow cone connoisseurs, we have identified two snow cone establishments on the East Coast worthy of a road trip:

One is Sno-To-Go in Williamsburg, a six hour round trip for Kayti's favorite Twizzle Berry and my favorite Cherry/Grape/Lemon Lime mix.

The other is The Snowball Stand in Woodstock, Maryland, a 2.5 hour trip round trip for Kayti's watermelon and my cherry, both with a huge dollop of marshmallow goo on top.

Last Thursday, Kayti took a personal day from school and we took a road trip to The Snowball Stand. To make the trip educational (ha!), I gave Kayti the map and she told me when and where to turn. No major highways allowed once we crossed the Potomac. For just over three hours we giggled our way along the highlighted route below, passing through lots of cute tiny towns until we finally made it to the corner of Woodstock Road and Route 99.

We took highways on the way home and made it back in 1.25 hours. Worth every minute in the car. Yum!

Entering the High School: A Study

2010-05-14T09:06:00.004-04:00

More often than not this year, I have driven Kayti to school. This process gives her an extra 15 minutes in the morning and it gives me time with her in the car, something that will slowly fade away over the next few months as her solo trips as a new driver become more frequent.

Every morning, after Kayti gets out of the car, I have a brief moment or two while I am still in the car line to observe the social phenomenon of Entering a School. At any given time, there are about 20-25 kids walking toward the 2 sets of double doors to get into the building. While there are the exceptional one or two groups of kids entering together, the majority of 15-18 year olds enter alone, keeping their heads either down or straight ahead and walking tentatively to avoid the awkwardness of keeping the same pace with the person next to them. I've seen kids, who I am certain know each other, glance in the direction of their acquaintance in hope of recognition, only to be denied or unseen and so they continue with the pack as it moves toward the doors.

Funny thing about this ... at 49 I can still relate to the "will someone acknowledge me / should I acknowledge them" tug of war of this process and the agonizing attack on self-worth that can accompany it with every step. I still feel it sometimes as I enter the same building for church each week, but then up walks the designated Greeter, who reaches out his or her hand and welcomes me on Sunday mornings.

Too bad there's no Greeter Club in high school.

A Loser with High Standards

2010-05-08T11:09:00.007-04:00

Every project, every process, everything we do can be broken down into methodical steps:

Step 1: Open refrigerator.

Step 2: Take out milk.

Step 3: Open pantry.

Step 4: Take out Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Step 5: Open cabinet.

Step 6: Take out bowl.

You get the idea.

My question of the day is this ...

Why is it that no one ever completes the last step of anything?

Last Step: Put cereal box back in pantry.

Last Step: Throw empty yogurt container in trash can.

Last Step: Fold up old tarp.

Last Step: Put hammer back in the garage.

Last Step: Wipe off kitchen counter.

Last Step: Put placemats back around the table.

Last Step: Put movies back on shelf.

Last Step: Put clean clothes away.

Last Step: Put pillows back on couch.

Each morning, I spend the first 30 minutes on the main floor of our house doing everybody's last steps. Why do I do do this, you ask?

Because I am a "Loser with High Standards" ...

What I like.

2010-05-05T09:09:00.009-04:00

The older I get, the more I am refining my list of things I truly enjoy.

Of course, time with my family and friends will forever top the list, but interesting, unexpected things are pushing their way up as the

years go by ...

The Sound of Water ... not from a faucet, but from a babbling brook or a rain storm. Amazingly peaceful. See the pictures below and just imagine how wonderful the sounds are at Swallow Falls.

Screened-in Porches ... heavenly, especially when my family & friends are out there with me, too.

Puzzles ... Jigsaw, crossword, anagram, logic, etc. I could sit and do them all day long.

Quiet Mornings ... Waking up with the birds, praying before I get out of bed and enjoying a bit of alone time before everyone else gets up.

TV Shows about Cake ... Ace of Cakes, Ultimate Cake-Off, Challenge.

Lunch with Friends ... I'm not a fan of "fine dining," but I love the casual get-together with my buddies and a turkey sandwich from my favorite restaurant, JPs Deli.

Gary and I spent last weekend at Deep Creek Lake with a bunch of our close friends and I got to enjoy all of the above (except the cake shows) ... it was wonderful. Here's some of the beauty we got to enjoy:

Gary, Brian, Sharon and Mike at Swallow Falls National Park.

The largest waterfall in Maryland ... after climbing dozens of stairs, we got to stand at the top of the falls and look down over them (sorry, Mom, but I made it back safely!)
More dandelions than you could imagine ... a mother's nightmare, a daughter's dream.

Thank you Barbara, Brian, Doug, Gary, Kathy, Mack, Mike, Penny & Sharon for a wonderful weekend!

Frolicking!

2010-04-20T21:48:00.010-04:00

Thank you, Lord!

There is sunshine and warmth here in Northern Virginia, and I

am FROLICKING!

I love Spring and it has sprung ... pre-mulch croci ...

I have been walking my crazy mutt, mowing the lawn, working in the yard and resting on my front porch.

Robbie has moved into our basement and to prepare for his arrival, I have been going through everything down there ... pre-school artwork, Christmas decorations, old Halloween costumes, American Girl dolls, GI Joes, Power Rangers, McDonalds Toys, etc. The dog is not allowed in the basement, so he waits on the steps while I'm down there. Kinda pathetic. Poor guy, I guess it's hard to sit on the steps when you have four legs ...

On Sunday, we gathered the Mears family together at my in-laws to celebrate Fred's 83rd birthday ...

While we were there, a Red-headed Woodpecker stopped by for a bite of suet. Betty's bird feeders always amaze me ... I could sit and watch the birds for a lot longer than I'd like to admit ...

Life is good.

Babies in the Basement

2010-04-12T19:26:00.008-04:00

Kaylie Kushin and Maddie Rockwood were visiting the Mears home recently and when babies are around, my camera gets lots of use. While Maddie's dad, Tom, and Kaylie's mom, Laurie, cleaned out the Young Life office, the girlies hung out with Robbie and me.

Kaylie Kushin:

Maddie Rockwood and a yummy Pez container:

Watch out, Kaylie! Maddie gets what she wants:

It sure was fun hanging out with these two sweet girls!

New York, New York

2010-04-03T21:30:00.008-04:00

Kayti and I got to spend 4 days in New York City during her Spring Break and here's our stats for the trip:

3 Plays (Chicago, Mary Poppins & Promises, Promises)

2 Museums (MoMA & Natural History)

4 Brushes with Fame (Danny Aeillo, Sean Hayes, Kristin Chenowith

& Tabatha Coffey)

3 Soft Pretzels

39 Floors above Times Square at the Marriott Marquis:

20 Minutes in the Sunshine out at Bryant Park on Thursday,

our only non-rainy day

1 Huge Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity:

2 Books Finished (hung out in the hotel room for 5 hours on

a very rainy Tuesday afternoon just reading and relaxing)

2 Trips to Amy's Bread for Yummy Cinnamon Challah Knots

18 Miles worth of Books at the Strand Bookstore ...

coulda stayed there all night:

360° Around in the View Restaurant (with pieces of EVERY dessert

offered in the buffet!)

1500 Model UN Students cramming the Elevators and Hallways of the Hotel

1 Italian UN'er we ran into several times who stared at Kayti a lot

7 French Sailors roaming Times Square in silly uniforms with

red pompoms on their hats:

7 Lindt Truffles Consumed

1 Amazing Flower Show at Macy's:

2 Lousy Disposable Cameras ... never again. I will carry my Nikon

next time, even if every day is rainy!

7 Trips Around on the Toys R Us Ferris Wheel

1 Great Picture with Candy Land's King Candy:

And LOTS of wonderful memories!

A girl can never have too many ...

2010-03-21T21:37:00.007-04:00

... cool pens!

I roam the aisles of Staples like most women roam through a shoe department, or like Jean roams through a fabric store.

Sharpies. Flairs. Zebras. Stablers. Stabilos. Microns. Staedtlers.

Love 'em all!

They're intoxicating. I want one of every width (ultra fine, fine, wide) and length (mini and regular) and color! And while I already own most of the options available in colorful art markers, I still wander down the pen/pencil row at Staples, pick up one of the new multi-packs with 24 different colors in it and have to "talk myself off the ledge" so I won't buy more.

Mind you, I don't actually USE them that often. I'm not like Mary Engelbreit, making cute lucrative drawings all day long. I think Kayti actually uses them more than I do. But for some reason they make me happy. And, should I ever need an Ultra Fine Olive Green Sharpie, I am good to go!

Lori, who attends OSA meetings (Office Supply Anonymous) with me, often feeds my addiction with fun new inky finds. My latest favorites are simply Staples Xeno brand, black ink pens that come in fun colors and two sizes and have nifty little rubber dots on the barrels:

Cheap. Cute. Colorful. Life is good, indeed!

Weather Fascinates Me

2010-03-16T20:41:00.004-04:00

The anticipation of a snow storm thrills me as much as it does the kindergartners who wear their pj's inside out and backwards and flush ice down the toilet. I marvel at huge thunderstorms that rolls through in the summertime and leave amazing rainbows in their wake. I watch with wonder as the flood waters rise and track the hurricanes that may possibly hit land near my home.

Yesterday, the Potomac River rose above flood stage and I could hardly wait to get my camera and head down to Algonkian Park's boat launch on the river to see the effects of three days of heavy rain on the water level of the river. Here's what I saw:

Here's the Boat Launch, which is usually a 4-5 feet drop from the parking lot to the river.

Check out the picnic pavilion along the river. Soggy dogs on the grill!

This guy (he's there .. look closely through the downed tree branches on the left) is literally fishing in what is normally used as a soccer field!

PEZ

2010-02-24T20:50:00.006-05:00

I collect PEZ containers. There. I admit it. It is kinda like admitting you like Moon Pies. A bit embarrassing but so much fun when you find other folks who also love the same things, like Lori, who will always enjoy a fine Moon Pie with me. All in all, besides being rather childish (oh, ya'think?), PEZ containers are great collectibles because they are readily available (WalMart and Target always have a plethora of them), they are cheap, and heck, they come with "candy enclosed!"

The hardest part of having a PEZ container collection, besides figuring out a way to display them all and getting a lot of cavities, is dusting them. I solved that dilemma by hanging a PEZ shelf up around the top of my home office, so when looking up at them, no dust is in sight. Of course, I am certain that Tweety's little head is just covered, but as they say, "out of sight, out of mind!"

PEZ also come in Ready-to-Display Collections, like this one for the really obsessed:And, if your collection exceeds the space allocated for the display, you can easily store them in a Target bag on the floor:

So, if you find PEZ containers as you clean out the kids' rooms to make a home office, don't throw them away. Give them to me!

Mom Catharsis

2010-02-18T19:11:00.002-05:00

Jillian is a Biggest Loser trainer. Jillian knows that the very obese people on this show have to face the anger, fear, and pain that have led to their over-eating before they can make any permanent change in their health and weight. Many of them have held so much in check for so long that it takes lots of yelling and pushing to get them to finally break down and release all those pent up emotions. Jillian is excellent at breaking folks down to nothing and then helping them build back up with confidence.

On one of the shows this season, Jillian was concerned about one particular contestant, a mother who was on the show with her son. One day in the gym, Jillian walked up to her, yelled relentlessly about how wimpy she was being while lifting weights and then said:

I know all about you. You put everyone else on the planet ahead of you. You don't take care of yourself. You take care of everyone else! Right?!? Who takes care of you? When is it your turn? Look what you've done to yourself? Is this working for you? I don't think so! YOU deserve to be here. YOU matter. Now it is YOUR turn.

As this dear mom stood there taking it all, exhausted from the intense exercise and the harsh but true words she was hearing, she slowly began nodding in agreement and then broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Jillian hugged her tight and as she held her while she cried, Jillian gently whispered in her ear, "Get it out, Mama. Get it all out."

Think Jillian makes house calls?

Tenacious D(og)

2010-02-10T12:30:00.008-05:00

You're probably sick of snow pictures, so here's some snow AND dog pictures. As you know, Kilmer the Mutt loves his backyard friend Pepper ... but did you know how much he loves her?

Check these out ...

Ohhhhh, that's so sweeeeeet!

Snow Dish

2010-02-07T10:56:00.015-05:00

There's too much snow on the satellite dish.

No basketball. No Super Bowl Previews.

Alas.

The TV goes off.

Lisa celebrates.

Kayti comes back downstairs.

We play Trivial Pursuit at the kitchen table.

Gary wins.

But the withdrawal symptoms are too strong.

UVa plays Wake in 30 minutes.

Necessity breeds invention, and so ...

Gary gathers together 4 long poles out of the garage,

a roll of duct tape, a paint brush and Kayti.

They head to Willie's room ...

Success. We got a signal.

Kayti went back to her room.

UVa lost (Congrats, Ed).

But, not all hope is gone ...

the NCIS marathon is on!

The Blizzard of Twenty Ten

2010-02-06T10:58:00.010-05:00

It is Saturday and they've already closed schools for Monday & Tuesday.

Marge Simpson lamp post.

Fire up the grill ... let's have a snow picnic!

Kilmer ventured out first thing.

Poor boy made it about 4 feet, then ...

... gave up and turned around.

Gary made Kilmer a path to the grass.

Makes one appreciate indoor plumbing!

We've watched a few movies. Played Trivial Pursuit twice. (Gary won both times, but Kayti gave him a run for his money. Me? No threat here.) Big thanks to neighbor Tom, the owner of the snow blower that everyone on the street has borrowed at least once today.

Lyme-y, not laze-y!

2010-01-27T16:24:00.005-05:00

In case you are one of the half a dozen folks who check out this silly blog now and then, you no doubt have noticed that there have been no new posts since early January. Since then, this lyme disease treatment season of my life has begun and my bones burn and my hands hurt if I type more than a paragraph or two.

Nonetheless, God has blessed me so much over the last couple of months and the amazing things he has taught me through this fiberglass cast on my ankle are profound. I am so thankful for the many blessings, prayers and words of encouragement from my friends and family.

xox Lisa

A Website ... I finally did it!

2010-01-04T09:58:00.007-05:00

While it only took a year, several failed attempts and a cast on my leg to get it done, I have finally created a website for my Your Mom Loves You products! It will remain a work in progress and I still have no shopping cart, but it is a good start and at least folks can see most of the products I have available for sale. Huge thanks to Lori for testing the site for me!

I will sign up to be a PayPal vendor today and then send out postcards to "Toot my own Horn" and spread the word ... another YMLY leap of faith.

And so, when you've got a free minute, check it out .... just click on the link for www.YMLYgifts.com listed under "Check Out My New Website" on the right.

If you have any problems or comments, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Snow Dog

2009-12-20T18:27:00.007-05:00

Every blog written by someone living on the east coast today will include snow ... here's mine featuring Kilmer the wimpy snow dog and Willie.

Yesterday morning, before the snow got so high, Kilmer ventured out without fear and enthusiastically ran to the fence and summoned his backyard buddy Pepper.

This morning, after the snow finally stopped at 20" deep, Kilmer again ventured out, but this time very reluctantly. He stuck his head deep into the snow, went about 5 feet, then turned around and came back in.

Worried about Kilmer's bladder and my floor, I enlisted Willie's help. He dug a path to the grass for the wimpy dog and worked hard to coax him out along the shoveled route.Despite Willie's valiant attempts, the dog refused to go beyond the path.

I suppose, if the snow came up to my belly, I'd stay out of it too!

And so, school is cancelled. The snow is beautiful. The cookies are yummy. The fire is warm. God gave all of us a day to remember the importance and love of family time.

And yet, Gary just declared with great enthusiasm that the sun was supposed to be out tomorrow.

I suppose enough is enough.

Back to reality.

God Bless Us, Everyone

2009-12-15T07:52:00.006-05:00

Kayti is calling me Tiny Tim. Makes me laugh every single time she says it. Somehow I injured my ankle by just walking up the stairs on Friday night. Yes, I felt an awful "twang," but made my way upstairs and into bed anyway. About 12 steps into Saturday morning, the "twang" came back and by Monday my ankle really hurt, walking was difficult and the swelling had started.

My new favorite doctor, Dr. Wilson, sentenced me to two weeks of boot or crutches, no driving and threats of a full-blown cast if I didn't "listen to the pain" and put my foot up immediately whenever it started hurting. Apparently I damaged a tendon. Not the big Achilles one, but some other one and tearing or breaking this particular tendon leads to surgery and a year's worth of recuperating. Hence, the boot and the crutches and about 15-20 minutes of moving around every 2 hours or so.

Got the bills paid. Got the graphics work almost all done. Got the iPhoto book created. Working on the Christmas cards and a few other graphics projects. Watched Julie & Julia (love it!) and countless tacky but addicting Fa-la-la-la-Lifetime Christmas movies!

My parents got the lights on the tree and drove me all over town yesterday, helping me get some errands done. Gary's doing the dishes and Kayti's carrying things all over the house for me. (I didn't cook with two good ankles, so a little swelling hasn't changed that!) And, while the little devil on my shoulder says: "Poo, Drat, and Cuss," the sweet little angel on the other shoulder says: "Thanks for the rest."

God Bless Us, Everyone!

Thanksgiving 2009: Love and Laughter!

2009-12-02T07:26:00.009-05:00

Thanksgiving 2009 for the Mears family

was all the holiday is meant to be.

The entire Mears family, all 18 of us, gathered together in one place.

That hasn't happened for a long time. Here's "Grandma Betty" with all of her grandchildren ... a.k.a. Grandma's Heaven on Earth!

To help me prepare beautiful tables for the Thanksgiving meal, my mom leant me her prized "Pumpkin Turkey Kit" to use as a centerpiece. However, Betty volunteered to bring the centerpieces, so alas, there was no need for the Pumpkin Turkey. I didn't have a pumpkin anyway, so all was good. Willie felt bad for the lonely Pumpkin Turkey and made due

with ... bananas!

As the day's festivities came to a close, sweet little Jamie left us with one last laugh ...

On to Christmas!

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary Addiction

2009-11-22T16:27:00.007-05:00

Aren't these little circles so cute?!? I'm addicted to them. I have purchased two new "toys" for my home business ... 1" and 2.25" button machines that can make "Flair" pins, magnets and compact mirrors.

I have created dozens (and dozens!) of small and large circles full of wonderful things ... birds, old sheet music, funny sayings, beautiful fabric, silly pictures, etc. I need to stop. There is more to life than the button machine, right?

I also bought a very old copy of Mother Goose Nursery rhymes. The book is so old, in fact, that the amazing pictures in it are now considered public domain and I can hardly wait to get my big printer churning out poster-sizes of these adorable pictures. In the meantime, I've put them in my circles. They make me smile.

Fun at the Register

2009-11-20T07:29:00.007-05:00

Last week Kayti & I stopped at Rite Aid to pick up a few things. We roamed through the store, paid for our items and got in the car.

As the car doors closed, she said "Did you see that Dad and boy behind us at the register? I want to go home with them." I hadn't noticed them.

"Why in the world do you want to do that?" I asked with great curiosity. "Because all they bought was a poster board, a glue stick, Fruity Peebles and ice cream. They're gonna have a lot of fun!"

Yes, indeed. What a great Dad.

My new favorite word

2009-11-14T14:21:00.004-05:00

P E R S E V E R A T E

To repeat or prolong an action, thought or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased.

I just learned this word today.

It is my new favorite word.

I can hardly believe there's a word for what I've been doing all my life!

My kids always get frustrated when I do this.

So does my husband.

I'm a pro.

Learned it from my mom.

[Love you, Mom.]

Don't you agree?

2009-11-07T20:27:00.014-05:00

I was told to post a new blog a couple of times each week to keep my readers coming back to visit my site regularly. If you're reading this, then thank you for checking in even though I did not follow that advice for the last 2-3 weeks.

Important Note about today's blog:

Kayti has given me permission to write this.

I got a text in the middle of the day from Kayti. After reading it, I promptly replied "Be there soon," grabbed my purse, and hopped into the car to head to the school. Sometimes as parents we need to let our kids learn lessons the hard way. You know, like when they forget their homework, we should let them get a bad grade so they won't forget it next time. This was not one of those learning situations. If I let this go, it would have life-long ramifications.

On the way to the school, I thought through all of the things I could tell the secretaries about why Kayti would have to come home with me. My rule of only telling the truth was requiring me to push the envelope and be creative.

As I walked out of the school with Kayti beside me, she said "Thanks, Mom." "My pleasure, sweet thing," I replied. "I understand all too well. I think every other woman on the planet would feel the same way."

Kayti's text:

"Mom, you have to come get me. I have PE next and I haven't shaved my legs for 3 days."

Sweet 16

2009-10-25T18:39:00.013-04:00

Back in 1993, on October 26 at 4:15 in the morning, Kathryn Anne Mears was born. Today she is sixteen years old.

It has been so much fun watching Kayti grow into the amazing young lady she is today ... a confident, genuine, intelligent girl who loves movies, music, and reading. As one of her birthday presents, I cleaned her room and in the process I found two of her cute little wallets in the back of a drawer. In them, I found almost $100 in cash, a couple of gift cards and her library card. When she got home today, I showed her all that I found and she said "My library card! You found it!" May her priorities never change!

To celebrate her 16th birthday, we took 4 of her closest friends to Disney on Ice on Friday night and then had a party on Saturday for all the kids. It rained all day Saturday, so instead of taking everyone to the Pumpkin Patch, we bought little pumpkins to carve and ate Tina Book's amazing Sweet 16 cake with Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream Ice Cream. It was so good! (Thanks, Tina!)

Happy Birthday, Kayti. I love you & I am so proud of you!

Front Row: Kayla, Kayti, Olivia

Back Row: Siria, Cinderella, Matthew

A Lesson on Sharing

2009-10-15T15:41:00.014-04:00

It is hard to teach your children to share when you aren't willing to offer bites of your long-coveted, finally here and completely frozen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Halloween Pumpkins ... you know those don't you, the ones with LOTS of peanut butter in them? Oh. My. Goodness. There goes a day's worth of Weight Watchers points in 3 bites.

There are some things that are justifiably off limits when it comes to sharing, like germs for instance, or brand new tall sweat pants, or the last sip of the Chick-Fil-A Diet Dr. Pepper, or the new couch, or your new car.

Well, alas, Kayti wore my new sweats to school yesterday. The soda is long gone. And I have to keep tons of pillows all over the new denim couch to keep the dog off.

As for the new car, I taught my kids how to share, too. Andy's car, the one that he bought with his own money this past summer, is now in a heap up in a College Park salvage dump. Andy wasn't driving. He wasn't even in the car. He lent his little white Versa to his very good friend and well, accidents happen. To add cliché to cliché, we thank our lucky stars that no one was hurt. We will get Andy a new car as soon as possible (after we get through the GEICO nightmare that is now upon us). In the meantime, he will get rides from his girlfriend and life will go on. Frankly, despite what happened, I am very proud of my boy for being willing to share.

As for the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins, well I'll quote my father ... "Do as I say, not as I do!"

Goodbye, Versa.

Homecoming 2009

2009-10-11T09:59:00.009-04:00

Kayti looked so beautiful, even as a banana! Here's Kayti and her friends from Homecoming 2009:

Kayti and her friend, Olivia, dressed up for Twin Day.

Kayti and Matthew have been friends for a long time!

The Young Life Small Group: Kate (leader), Siria, Kayla, Kayti, Paige and Rachel (leader).

The whole group. No, Scott, I won't name 'em all!

Out of the mouths of Mears Kids

2009-10-09T09:30:00.005-04:00

Andy: I'm considering double-majoring in Accounting and Philosophy.

What an amazing brain that my boy has ... he loves the black and white, right and wrong, yes or no of accounting and the all gray, maybe, what-if world of philosophy. No wonder Andy can do anything he puts his mind to! It sure will be fun watching the world open up to him and traveling along beside him as he explores the many opportunities that will come his way.

Willie: I'm not coming home for Fall Break. Oh really, why not? There's a Young Life Mens' Retreat at Rockbridge this weekend. Cool. Are you going to help with the retreat? No, Mom. I'm a man!

Willie is 19. My goodness. He is a man now. Not only that, but this young man is now also a JV basketball coach at a high school in Newport News! Willie has always been drawn to younger kids and it warms my heart so much to see him follow his passions. He will be an amazing coach. (Can a mom show up at a game to cheer on the coach?)

With Andy only a little over a month away from turning 21, I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that both of my boys are now men. While I miss the little guys running around in cowboy/ninja/army/pirate outfits, I am so very proud of the adults they have become.

Kayti: How nice it would be to win that much money. Yes, but the government gets a big part of it you know. They have to pay taxes on Lottery winnings? How much? About 30%. You're kidding? That's three times as much as God needs!

Ahhh, out of the mouths of babes! I never get tired of seeing the world through Kayti's eyes. Her brain moves faster than I thought humanly possible and her connections and segues simply fascinate me. One blip in daily life to the rest of us can bring to Kayti's mind a stream of music, lyrics, scripts, pictures and new ideas that will flow for hours. She makes me smile every day!

Medicine Mom

2009-10-03T20:42:00.010-04:00

Years ago there was this TV show about moms. I don't remember the title of the show and it certainly didn't last beyond the first season, but what I do remember about it was the how the actresses talked directly to the camera now and then. One of those scenes came to mind this past week. The moms came out and wondered aloud if it was bad parenting to withhold Tylenol from their sick kids "because it took away the fever and just perked them right up."

This week Kayti has been home with a terrible sinus headache ... one that wouldn't even go away with Tylenol AND Motrin. It is very hard to be a mom and not be able to make the pain go away. I couldn't kiss it and take away the pressure that made Kayti feel like her face was going to explode. For two days Kayti felt awful and for two days I got to hang out with her ... when she wasn't napping, we watched movies and giggled despite the throbbing in her head. It was both awful and wonderful at the same time.

The pain finally eased on the third day. The virus ran its course. Or the storm front passed. Or the white blood cells kicked in. Whatever it was, my sweet girl felt better and before I knew it, she was off and hanging out with her friends again, just as she should be. It was both awful and wonderful at the same time.

I'm Living in a Cartoon Today

2009-09-29T15:58:00.008-04:00

Today I am getting a close-up view of those devil vs. angel shoulder conversations you see in cartoons. I ended up on the losing end of a business transaction in which I was Buyer B, patiently waiting to see if Buyer A, who had legitimate "first dibs" on a sale, was going to be able to complete the transaction. Out of the blue today, the Seller sold to Buyer C, despite our scheduled appointment to discuss the sale this weekend.

As if traveling through a Pixar short film, I have carried on conversations with both the little shoulder angel and his nemesis the devil concerning this event. The devil's options are so delicious ... they involve accusations, anger, well-made and deserved points, guilt, shame, remorse, separation ... all those things that should rightly be the result of such a deal as this. The angel's options are far less glamorous at this moment ... they involve humility, acceptance, understanding, a continuing relationship, and trust that God knows what He's doing.

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the fantasized conversations encouraged by the cartoon devil, they will remain in my head and my prayers tonight will be two-fold ... that these conversations become less tantalizing quickly and that I find comfort in God's will for my life, whatever that may be.

Isabella and Black Thunder

2009-09-25T20:50:00.007-04:00

Over the summer, we sold Isabella, Willie's beloved old Jeep Cherokee when Willie bought his new Honda. Andy also bought a new car and instead of selling Black Thunder, his old Ford F150 pickup truck, to Carmax, Gary & I decided to buy it from Andy so that we could use it and lend it to our friends.

Now, one of our buddies needs a truck for his construction business. What a perfect opportunity to help someone and to give Black Thunder a purpose beyond moving the occasional piece of furniture or carrying cases of soda from Costco. Selling him the truck is the right thing to do.

That does not mean it is the easy thing to do. The loss of Black Thunder also marks the end of an era for me ... one more step toward empty nesting and Part Two of parenthood. With the boys, I have now moved from being a full-time manager to a mere consultant rarely consulted. Just as it should be, I suppose.

Farewell, Black Thunder. It's been great!

Black Thunder

Isabella

Weight Watchers Online

2009-09-22T15:38:00.003-04:00

Weight Watchers allows you to keep track of your food intake, or points, online. You simply enter the food name, or the calories, fat grams and fiber grams of what you're eating and the nifty Points Tracker determines the number of points you've just chewed up and subtracts that number from your total allotment for the day (a whoppin' 18 points ... for some perspective, a medium-sized apple is 2 points. So is a Rice Krispie Treat. Who in the world would choose the apple?!?).

One of the cool high-tech-y things the Points Tracker does is keep track of foods you eat often. These you can mark as your "Favorites" so that it is easier to include them on a regular basis. As I was inputting my morning Kashi Bar and small banana (3.5 points down the drain), I looked over my "Favorites" list and decided I am probably not doing this right. Here's what's on my list:

Freezer pops - 1 point each

Goldfish - 18 fish for 1 point

Hostess 100 calorie cupcakes - 2 points

Oreo Fun Stix (oh. my. gosh. de-lish & quite Fun indeed!) - 2 points

Oscar Mayer Bacon Slices - 4 slices for 2 points

Popcorn - A whole bag for 2 points

Baked Ruffles - 15 chips for 2 points

Kraft Single Cheese Slices - 1 point each

Tootsie Rolls - 2 for 1 point

Arnold Sandwich Thin Wheat Roll - 1 point

(that holds the cheese & bacon!)

If I eat all of that, I only have 3 points left for the day ... which is conveniently the number of points needed for a delicious WW Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sundae!

Simple Pleasures ...

2009-09-20T21:57:00.011-04:00

For years now I have been impressed with my mother-in-law, Betty Mears, and her love of nature. One of the most amazing things that I appreciate and understand better as I get older is how the sight of a beautiful bird can make her entire day wonderful. When I was 25, I didn't get it. Today, I describe the birds at the bird feeder in my backyard to my friend Lori over the phone with great enthusiasm ... and I take pictures of flowers and birds and sunsets all the time. I have created a line of blank notecards that feature these photos called TLC ... The Lord's Creation. Here's some of my recent favorites:

Stone Harbor, NJ.

Jean's backyard.

These water lilies are at the National Arboretum. I was fortunate enough to be able to explore this paradise with my in-laws and Willie this summer.

Also at the Arboretum.

Take a look around. Appreciate the amazing beauty of nature that we all too often take for granted.

High School Volunteering Pays Off

2009-09-19T11:44:00.006-04:00

A couple of years ago, for security reasons, our high school installed an actual door bell, complete with an intercom system and a video camera. Now, to enter the building during the day, everyone must ring the doorbell, show their ID to the camera, explain why entering the building is a matter or life or death and wait to be buzzed in by one of the all powerful, all mighty school secretaries.

My third child is now at this high school. I never show my ID or say a thing to the intercom, because when the secretaries look into the video camera to see who has pushed the doorbell, they see me and they push the buzzer right away.

Last week I happened to approach the door just behind another mom who had already pushed the doorbell. She got no response, so I pushed it shortly after she did. Off went the buzzer immediately and in we walked. As we entered the office, one of the secretaries not so nicely told the other mom how the system worked and told her she had to go out to her car to get her ID. Her response, as she pointed to me, was "why doesn't she have to do that?"

The secretary looked at me and said, "Because she's been here forever."

I just shrugged, looked smug and thought, "ahhh, one of the fine perks of volunteering!"

A new morning routine for Kilmer the OCD Dog

2009-09-16T07:52:00.011-04:00

As part of my summer routine, I got up, threw on grubby clothes (as if that's anything out of the norm) and walked my sweet mutt Kilmer around the neighborhood. Sometimes we'd walk for 30 minutes, sometimes for an hour. It was good for both of us.

Now that school has started, I have other things to do first thing in the morning, like watch hilarious TiVO-ed Craig Ferguson shows with Kayti. This new morning routine does not mean I don't walk the dog, it just means he has to wait 90 minutes until Kayti hops on the bus before we head out on our daily jaunt.

And yet, every morning for the last two weeks he has bounded down the steps, tapped his nose on his leash and started the bizarre yet endearing circle-jumping at the front door. Denied, he does the same thing when we get to the back door. Denied again he then tethers himself to my legs, staying no more than one foot away from me for 90 minutes. If I sit, his face is in my lap. If I stand, his butt is in my way. If I walk, he nearly kills me with every move.

Then, when Kayti leaves, his enthusiasm rises with each telltale going-for-a-walk sign he sees: She's putting on socks! She's putting on shoes! She's getting her cell phone! She's going to the bathroom! She's getting a poop bag! She's grabbing the leash! And then, he circle-jumps at the door, out the door, down the steps, and down the sidewalk until I say "Sit!" and on goes the leash. Finally.

The Love of Little Things

2009-09-13T21:43:00.010-04:00

For as long as I can remember, I have loved little things. Remember Little Kiddles? I had tons of them ... even the Little Kiddles Klub House! I had a huge collection of glass animals, the ones that you can still buy at Hallmark that are attached to little ivory cards. Those animals, along with many other small favorites are still proudly displayed in the type drawer my dad gave me that hangs in my home office:

Well, my love of little things has manifested itself into my latest YMLY product, the Itty Bitty Notepad! These cute notepads are only 3" x 5" and like the larger half-page notepads, they feature fun little pictures and can also be personalized with nicknames, business logos, school mascots, etc. Oh, what fun!

School Cafeteria Seating ... The Agony & the Ecstasy

2009-09-10T07:41:00.006-04:00

Memories came flooding back yesterday as Kayti described her 45 minutes of sheer torture thinking she'd be stuck in "A" Lunch without any of her friends. In science class, she sent out text messages* to all of her buddies to see when they had lunch, but got no response.

What agony to stand all alone in a crowded room, searching person after person, table after table, hoping and praying for a familiar face. I still shudder at the thought. I think, if we somehow rated the most stressful social experiences in life, finding a place in the cafeteria on the first day of school certainly ranks right up there for all of us.

After the details of the panic and the texting and the awful science class were all spilt, the ecstasy came in the form of half a dozen of Kayti's good friends who slowly trickled in, all happier to see each other than they ever will be again.

*Just imagine the restraint it took to not interrupt and say "Texting in class? Honey, that's so rude. They're gonna take your phone away one of these days." Thank you Lord, for that restraint.

First Day of School Resolutions

2009-09-08T09:29:00.008-04:00

The beginning of the school year is always bittersweet for me.

On one hand, I love having my kids home during the summer ... we play cards, watch movies, eat out (well, that's no different from the rest of the year), and just have a great time together. So when the school bell rings, I am always a bit sad.

Of course, you know the "other hand" side of the story ... it is quiet here today and I have a nice long list of things I hope to get done. Nothing dramatic, mind you, but crossing anything off the list is an accomplishment. (Yes, I admit used to write "take a shower" on my list when the kids were little ... sadly, that one didn't always get crossed off!)

But here's the biggest bonus for me ... the first day of school is way more effective than New Year's Day for successful resolution following-through-ness. This word may be new to your vocabulary, but I am ever so familiar with its antithesis. I have started many a successful diet on the first day of school, and I intend to do the same again this year. I have already walked the dog for half an hour (it was slug-dodge today ... why in heaven's name were there so many slugs on the path?) and I shall drink 6 glasses of water and eat my fruits and veggies before the day ends.

To all you moms out there, best of luck with your First-Day-of-School resolutions!

Here's my sweet Kayti

(and the mutt Kilmer)

on Kayti's first day of

her sophomore year

of high school.

Jean -- thanks for teaching me

how to post pictures.

Hi, Lexi!

Menopause & Teenagers ... Why would God do this?

2009-09-05T15:57:00.007-04:00

"Menopausal women often complain of fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating; some even wonder if this is the beginning of dementia."

Hence, one of my first questions for the good Lord when I enter the pearly gates: Why in the world would you give us menopause at the same time you give us teenagers and college students?

My children, as sweet as they are, already think I'm an idiot. Now add the mood swings. The incontinence. The hot flashes. No wonder they think I'm nuts ... I am!

Kayti laughs at how often I have to use the bathroom ("Never waste an opportunity to go" is my motto). I wake up sweaty and stinky every morning. I can't remember what I ate for breakfast or what I was planning to do when I got to the top of the stairs. I have a Master's degree and I am a member of Phi Beta Kappa for heaven's sake. And yet, I can't recall the name of the song that Kayti played for me 5 minutes ago ... and, after she said "Okay Mom, now remember this, it's called "Northern Downpour." Got it?" Apparently not.

Way back when, I didn't want to hear about my mother's hot flashes or menopause. That was gross. And so, I have no viable explanation to offer except "You're right. Sorry. Tell me again please." She'll get it one day. I hope I'm still on the planet so I can say, "See? I wasn't that stupid after all."

Kayti

2009-09-02T21:17:00.005-04:00

KAYTI

Kayti loves Stone Harbor, music, and movies, but not in that order. Movies come first, especially those featuring her favorite performer, Gene Kelly. She has studied all she can about him, as she does with anything she loves. She'd like to be involved in the movie industry someday ... as an actress, a producer or a critic. I don't doubt one second that she will be successful at whatever she decides to do. Such a proud momma I am!

Willie

2009-09-02T20:21:00.006-04:00

WILLIE

Only Willie can pull off this "Jersey Tan." After collecting over a dozen basketball jerseys via Ebay last spring, Willie dedicated much of his sun time this summer to reaching his goal of obtaining a perfect Jersey Tan. I'm not sure Dr. Moreland the dermatologist would find it funny, but he will surely charm everyone else on the planet with his new look. Such a proud momma I am!

Andy

2009-09-02T19:33:00.017-04:00

ANDY

This boy has wanted a kayak for several years now ... he got to paddle around the pond last month while we were in Williamsburg. He wants to take scuba diving lessons someday. His classes at Maryland started on Monday ... he's taking 5 classes in the business school ... that's tough but he'll do just fine. He called yesterday to ask if his new red shorts would be okay in the wash ... he's doing his own laundry. Such a proud momma I am!

But in reality ...

2009-08-26T10:36:00.007-04:00

Sunday was Take Willie Back to College Day.

Here's how I planned the day:

10:00 Willie and I would leave for Christopher Newport University (CNU), unpack the car and inspect the house where Willie will live to determine what item(s) he needed to make it through the school year successfully.

10:45 Willie and I would shop for a couple of hours. Based on what Willie had originally guessed he might need, I expected to shop at Target, (school supplies and toiletries), Bed Bath & Beyond (kitchen items), and Costco (food and drinks for all).

12:00 The rest of the family, Gary, Andy & Kayti, would then join us for a tour of the house and a nice lunch out somewhere in Newport News.

1:30 We'd all hug (and cry a little) and wave good-bye. We'd hit the road and travel via I-64 and I-95 for the usual 3 hours.

4:30 We'd be home ... all of us except Willie.

Here's how the day went:

10:00 Willie and I drove in his car to CNU. After he alerted his housemates that a mom was about to enter the house, we unpacked his car by stacking all of his things in the living room of the house. No one knew who was gong in what room yet. We looked through the kitchen cabinets, but no one was sure what was needed ... except a french coffee press would be nice.

10:35 Willie and I went to Target and got coffee and a coffee press. He said he'd rather get everything on his own later. We stepped into Bed Bath & Beyond to see if they had any cheap coffee mugs (nope).

11:15 Willie suggested I call Gary to see when they'd arrive. Gary said they would meet us at the house in 10 minutes.

11:30 Willie showed the family the house. We hugged the boy and waved good-bye.

11:50 We hit the road. The traffic was awful on the interstate, so we ended up coming home via quaint little Route 17 ... at least we were moving.

4:30 We were home ... all of us except Willie.

Monday was Take Andy Back to College Day. It went exactly as planned.

Another day on the planet.

2009-08-20T20:53:00.006-04:00

My favorite mornings are the ones where I wake up slowly and have the chance to talk to God before I have to talk to humans. On those precious mornings, the first thing I say to God is "Thank you for another day on this planet." What a blessing it is to have another day to spend with my family and friends. I suppose my gray hair perspective contributes to my appreciation of such a gift. Nonetheless, I've tried very hard to teach my kids to also value the opportunities that lie ahead of us at the start of each new day.

Although Kayti is capable of using an alarm clock, I have the privilege of serving that function most of the time. I love going into her room in the morning while she's sleeping ... she's so beautiful and sweet. Memories of my little girlie flood through me as I carefully sit on the edge of her bed and gently pat her arm. "Time to get up, sweet thing. It's Thursday, August 20 and 'This is the day that the Lord hath made!'" My dear daughter reaches her long, feminine arm up, pulls the covers over her head, and lets out this awful, guttural "my-mom's-pathetic" growl and rolls over. Much to her dismay, I love a challenge.

A life in the day

2009-08-18T22:15:00.003-04:00

When exhausted mothers of toddlers look to me and my gray hair for advice, I have consistently said, "parenting becomes more mental than physical as kids age, so hang in there." Well, friends, I lied. Here I am at age 49, with kids who are almost 21, 19 and 15, and in the last few days I have jumped-started the old Jeep Cherokee affectionately known as Izabella, packed up the 1999 Ford F150 with furniture and unloaded it at the off-campus house in College Park, ridden countless miles in the front seat as the girlie with the Learner's Permit practiced driving the Nissan Armada (roughly the size of Noah's Ark), instructed and aided in the painting of the upstairs bathroom, put together one of those huge out-of-the-box bookshelves, got the stripped bolt off the bike and sent more text messages than a ninth grader. Good thing I don't have to play Candyland on the floor or "pirates on the high seas" on the swing set out back ... not sure my old arthritic knees could stand that!

Throw in the "mental" part, with the first-born anxious to get back to college, the second-born suddenly deciding he'll get that bike that's for sale up in Pennsylvania so off he drives to Lancaster (3 hours each way mind you), and the youngest who treasures her quiet time so she roams the neighborhood alone looking for a great spot to sit and read. Now understand this: I am thrilled my boy loves college so much that he is anxious to get back there, and I'm proud of my son for researching bikes and being willing to go get exactly what he wants and what he can afford, and as for that sweet girl, who doesn't want some alone time? BUT, the emotional toll of letting go again, the irrational fear of car accidents and the ridiculous panic of a random kidnapping still filter through my mind despite the faith I have that everything will be just fine.

This day, and its physical and mental challenges, is almost over now and it seems as if it has lasted a lifetime. Andy is packed. Willie's new bike is awesome. Kayti is up in her room watching Gene Kelly dance across the television screen. All are safe and sound. This time next week, both boys will be back at college and Kayti will be preparing to start her second year in high school. Where did the time go?