Life and the Pursuit of Happiness...

Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around.
~E.L. Konigsburg


I'm in that crazy place again, where there just isn't enough time in the day and I'm so tired every night.  The beginning of the school year at the school I work out has started with a bang and only slightly slowed down.  As I have mentioned in a previous post, we are down several teachers, so our classrooms are bursting at the seams, and it's taking it's toll on the teachers.

In the office, things seems even busier, I think in these difficult times and with changing demographics, familes are that much more needy.  I feel for them, but the types of issues we are seeing in the office now have little to do with education.  It can be very draining, but I still love my job.  Seeing all the new little kindergartners at the beginning of the year is always heartwarming.


Things at home have been hectic as well.  My youngest daughter decided to start playing tennis this year for her high school.  So, she's now playing tennis and soccer, she's also involved with Student Government, and somehow got on Yearbook a year early.  I am so proud of her, but also a little worried.  I think she might be overextending herself.  She has all these extracurricular activities on top of her heavy load at school being in AP classes.  She's so tired every night, it's hard to see her like that.  I think two sports might be a bit too much for her right now, so I'm looking forward to that easing up.

My oldest daughter turns 19 next week!  19!!! I can't believe it...I will be driving her back to La Jolla to move her in to an on-campus apartment.  It will be a quick trip, as I am trying not to take too much time off work.  It's a bittersweet time, I'm happy to see her start her second year in college, but I will miss her being home too.

Personally, I have been faced with something that is unpleasant, so I am trying to stay postive and keep upbeat.  My ex is trying to end some of the financial support he agreed to when we divorced, so he has taken me to court and now I have the burden of trying to keep the much needed support in place.  I do not have the financial means to hire a lawyer, so I am doing all the paperwork myself.  It's proving to be a very daunting job, but I'm doing my best.  With all the loss and grief in the world, I know this is very trivial, but it is still something I am struggling with.

Various little treats for the kids.

Personalized Candy Bars

I am lucky to have the support of many wonderful friends and family. Without so many people in my life that care about me, I don't know what I'd do.  I also have the love of my two daughters, which no amount of money can ever come close to.  I am sad for my ex-husband that he doesn't see this.

Mini water bottles for thirsty little kids.

Last weekend, I spent the better part of two days making fun little favors for my niece's 6th birthday party, which is tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I can't be there to join the party, but all my little goodies will be.  I can't wait to see pictures of her and her little friends celebrating.  My parents brought everything down this week for her, and my mom will help with putting it all out and making it a special birthday party for her.  I have mentioned before how much I adore my nieces, they are absolutely precious to me.  Crafting is a great way for me to relieve stress, so I truly enjoyed spending my time creating all the goodies I made.

Hoping you can find something that helps with the everyday pressures and stresses of life.

Happy Thoughts,

Lisa

R & R

Everything you do can be done better from a place of relaxation. - Stephen C. Paul


Recently I returned from a very relaxing mini vacation to one of my favorite places in the whole world, Lake Tahoe, CA/NV.  For those of you from California, you surely know this beautiful place, and those of you not from around here, an explanation in words just doesn't do it justice.


For the past 5 summers, I have been taking my daughters on our "all-girl" trip to Tahoe ( as we like to call it).  We are lucky that my Aunt & Uncle have a rental home there, and they let us stay whenever we want for just the cost of the cleaning fee.  It's a cute, cozy little cabin filled with hand-me-down furniture that reminds me of my grandmother, since much of it was hers when she was alive.


The cabin is just minutes to the casinos (on the Nevada side) and shops S. lake Tahoe is famous for, but also minutes from the lovely beaches that run along the lakefront.  Since we started this tradition, we have explored and experimented with the many activities that are available in the summer.  This year, we kept it low key and spent our days getting pedicures, seeing a movie we all agreed on, and lounging at the beach.  Tahoe is known more for it's Winter sports, skiing in particular, but we prefer being there in the Summer.  The weather never disappoints, usually lingering around 85 degrees, and the air is always clean and fresh.  


This year, my girls did not bring along friends as they usually do.  I let my oldest go up a few days ahead of me with a few of her friends, so they all left by the time my younger daughter and I arrived.  I was a little worried they would get bored and want to go home early, not having any of their friends with them.   Overall though, it was a great trip and I really enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with both of them, which is so hard to do now that they are teenagers, and my oldest off at college most of the year.    


I am never able to relax at home the way I do when I'm there.  It's like I become a whole different person, away from all the responsibilities, chores, and work that are part of my everyday life at home.  I enjoyed myself so much this time, it was very hard to leave.  


For the first time, since we started these annual trips, I drove completely around the entire Lake, which is about a 72mi. drive along winding roads that run parallel to the edge of the lake.  On part of the drive, there are hair-pin turns and drops on both sides of the 2-lane highway.  There are charming cabins and cottages nestled amongst the evergreens all along the way, as well as Tahoe City about half way through, which is filled with cute little shops and restaurants.  We stopped there for a leisurely lunch, dining outside, as we determined how long it would take us to get back to our cabin if we continued on and made the full circle around the lake. 


 In the end, we decided to go for it, and it was the most beautiful drive I have ever been on.    The afternoon sun made the lake literally glow and the view from the road as the light changed, was stunning.  We even got a little "tropical" weather this time, with a slight sprinkling of rain along the way, although the temperature remained in the low 80's.  


I have decided that rest and relaxation are highly underrated, and are an absolute must in order for this  busy mom to keep her sanity.  


In just a few days I will be back to work, soccer practice has already started, AP camp begins next week for my youngest and the hectic pace of Fall will soon be upon us.  My rest and relaxation is already becoming a distant memory, but a sweet one for sure!           

Our view from the table at lunch, so relaxing!

My girls on the front steps at Rosie's.

Our little table on the porch at Rosie's

Had to show a picture of this yummy Butterfinger Ice Cream pie...we did all 3 share it!

This summer, I am wishing all of you at least a few hours, if not days, of complete rest & relaxation.


Happy Thoughts,
Lisa             

*Note-I originally wrote this the day we came home, but I have been having computer troubles ever since.  My daughter fixed me all up, so now we are back up and running :)                                               

Friends, Family, Celebrating

"Good homes are still the best source of good humans." 
-Neal A. Maxwell 


It's hard to believe the 4th of July has come and gone already...summer is quickly flying by.  Even though I'm trying to treasure to each day, it's going fast.  I enjoy my days off at this time of year soooo much, I have to work on enjoying each day, rather than focusing on the fact that my vacation is half over already!!  (Ugh, I said it!)


I am  finally getting to my Summer "to do" List....I cleaned out under my bed (lots of dust and shoes!), cleaned out the fridge, well almost, I still have the Veg./Dairy drawers to tackle, and redid some patio chairs that got pretty trashed over the past Winter. I used oil-cloth this time, so they are water proof and will just need to be occasionally wiped down.


Our 4th of July was quiet this year, the city I live in decided to cancel the Annual Fireworks show this year due to budget cuts and the poor economy.  This was really sad, as it was such a long-standing tradition here.  The fireworks are set off in our downtown area on the Riverfront, and  because I live in this older, downtown area, we were able to sit in our front yard and watch from home, while we ate dessert.  


Just as fun as watching the fireworks display, though, was watching all the people cramming downtown.  I love people watching, and we always had unexpected guests drop-in to say hi or watch the fireworks with us.  My hope is that next year  the city will bring this time honored tradition back again.  I still put up all my 4th decorations and we had a little BBQ w/ family, my neighbor, and a couple of my girls' friends.  We did our own little fireworks show in the backyard, so all in all, it was still a nice day.

I have been walking with my girlfriends regularly, swimming at my parent's house and hanging out, having coffee and talking w/ the girls whenever possible.  One of the promises I made myself this summer was that I would stay in touch w/ friends and even make new ones.  I love time w/ the girls, both my friends and my daughters.  Life is too short not enjoy every moment to the fullest, I am I trying to remember that each and everyday, even when the pressures of life try to get me down.


Wishing you a Wonderful weekend and Happy Thoughts,
Lisa
Linking up today w/ Cindy over at My Romantic Home
www.romantichome.blogspot.com

My Garden Retreat

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.- Emma Goldman


This quote is totally and completely me.  I would sell a piece of jewelry (if I had anything valuable enough), for a rose plant or any garden flower, for that matter, without a bit of hesitation.


I love to garden.  I am not a professional in any way.  I am completely self-taught.  I learn mostly by trial and error...a lot of error, actually ;)


If something doesn't make it, I just plant something else in it's place.  It's kind of survival of the fittest in my garden.  Shabby Chic, with more "shabby" than "chic" comes to mind as well.


I could have a much tidier yard, if I wanted to spend every waking moment outside....which I wouldn't mind, except that there is all that other bothersome stuff, like housework, kids, grocery shopping, work, etc.  I don't have the budget for a gardener, but I'd really rather do the work myself, it's something I truly enjoy. This works for me, nothing in my house is perfect, I have  a lot of chipped furniture, homemade curtains, etc.  I am OK with that.  I am not rich, my budget is small....but I do what I can to keep myself surrounded with the lovely, pretty little things that mean so much to me. I am very visual, and beauty is objective, which is what I love about it.  What is beautiful to me, might be just an old cast-off to someone else.  That's what makes this world such an amazing place.

For now, I am enjoying my summer mornings outside, before the kids are up, drinking my coffee, dead-heading my roses, sweeping up after the squirrels and birds who feast on my plum and almond trees, content w/ my little corner of this big beautiful world.


Happy Gardening & Happy Thoughts,
Lisa


I am participating in My Romantic Home's Show & Tell Friday &
...go check out these  beautiful blogs!

Summer List

Cut not the wings of your dreams,
for they are the heartbeat and the freedom of your soul. 
-Flavia


My "official" summer is finally here, I finished my last day of work for this past school year, and now I don't have to report back to my "9 to 5" job until August.  


There is so much I want to do in the next 6 weeks, both fun stuff w/ my family and friends, and projects and tasks around my house.


I know that no matter how hard I try, I won't get it all done.  I am not being a pessimist, it's just that I always put way too much on my plate, so it winds up being literally impossible to to do it all.  That's ok though...if I can get just some of the "to do's" off my summer list, then I will be happy ;)


First off, I need to make my list, if I don't, I will never focus enough to get started on all that I want to accomplish.


Making the list is the first step.  Some of the items on my list will be things I want to do "someday", not necessarily this summer, but most will be things I can accomplish within the next few weeks.  I love being able to check off items on my list as I finish them.  There will be fun things, like day trips or trying new things, like making homemade pickles, and chores that I never seem to find the time to do, like cleaning out under my bed (ugh!) and de-cluttering my closets.  There are those projects I started that haven't been touched in weeks (or months!), that will make me feel so good when I can finally finish them.  Then there will be the simple things, such as read a new book, or take time to sit in my garden and soak in all the nature around me.

Something I'm dreaming of right now, that cannot be accomplished this summer, but hopefully someday in the near future, is attending a women's retreat called Brave Girls' Camp.  I had heard about it a while ago in a blog that I enjoy reading regularly called A Bushel & A Peck.  From what I can tell, it is 5 days of women getting together for fun, food, creating, and support.  Women from all different backgrounds & locations get to have a sort of big slumber party together.  That's my interpretation of it anyway, check out the website and you can decide for yourself.  It just sounds like something I would love to do someday, so I'd like to start saving up for it and make it a reality.


As I have mentioned before, I truly believe that women need each other in so many important ways.  We all love our kids, our boyfriends, husbands, etc., but having  girlfriends, mothers, or sisters, to confide in, to lean on, to share stories, hopes, and dreams, is so important.  As women, I strongly feel we need to stick together.  No one understands a woman more than another woman.  


Now, it's time to get that list started and enjoy SUMMER!


Happy Summer & Happy Thoughts,
Lisa

Life and other updates..

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out. -Anton Chekhov 


I've been so busy lately, even though I've really wanted to take the time to blog, I just haven't been able to stop and do it.


Work for me right now is busy, but also getting ready to wind down.  Since I work at an elementary school, the end and beginning of the school year is always the busiest.  In some ways, things have calmed down for me personally at work, since we got a new secretary, and I am back at my old desk again.  I had mixed feelings about it at first, although it was not something me or my boss had a choice in.  In the end, like everything else in life, it seems to have worked out for the best.  I have more time to work on other projects, and I feel like I am back in the right place, as the receptionist, and getting to interact more again with the parents and kids.  Plus, I have a new co-worker who is easy to work with and makes my job pleasant.  We are a team now, which is something I never had before.



The farmer's market job I had talked about in past posts has unfortunately not panned out so far.  My guess is that the their booth has just not been profitable enough yet to hire someone else to work it.  I know that if it is, she will call me, we definitely had a good connection and she knows I can handle the job.  It's like I try to remember, everything seems to work out in the end.  If I had been called to work at the market every weekend a couple of months ago, I don't think I could have done it with the extra time and stress I was dealing with at work.  It's funny how life works out like that...         
                                               


These days, it's taking all my weekend time working on my garden, house-cleaning and hanging out with my daughter.  I am also trying to find time for the occasional girls' night with my besties.  

 A little work shower gift for my boss who is getting married in Hawaii this summer.

Recently 6 of us got together for a movie (Sex & the City) and dinner, and it was nice to just hang out and talk with these "girls" again(I will always consider myself a girl, no matter how old I am!)...it had been way too long.  I am looking forward to my 6 weeks off for summer, and plan to have a couple girlie get-togethers at my house.  I love to cook for and entertain my girlfriends and I have not been making that a priority for a while.
                              

  My little gift/treat for all my girlfriends for our Sex & the City night.


Women have a way of empowering each other like no one else can, and I consider my time with my girlfriends very uplifting and therapeutic.  I am a strong advocate for "Girl Power" and think woman can do anything we set our minds to.


Next up is a quick trip to San Diego to pick up my college student daughter and a short visit with my beloved sister and nieces.   I am looking forward to seeing all my girls and having my daughter home for summer.




Wishing you a wonderful week and Happy Thoughts,
Lisa

Garage sale friends

"Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar."
-Benjamin Franklin
Last weekend we decided to have a very impromptu garage sale...the "we" being my 14 year-old daughter and I.  We literally made the decision on Thursday night.  The motivation here was money, we were going into the weekend pretty broke, so we thought it could be a quick way to earn a little cash for a trip to the grocery store and to get rid of some stuff we've been piling up in the garage.

The thing I love about garage sales is the people.  I love meeting new people and hearing stories about their lives.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a true "people" person.  At work, I am the first person you see when you walk in our office, and the first person to pick up the phone when calls come in.  This job seems to suit me, I enjoy meeting knew people, helping them fix a problem, or whatever else they may need.

My garage sales are usually pretty successful, I prepare myself to accept the sometimes ridiculous offers that come in, and remind myself this is all just "stuff" and things I haven't used or looked at in a long time.  I live on a busy corner, so I never need to advertise in the newspaper, a couple signs thrown up in the morning and a free add on Craigslist and post on FB are all I really need to grab the attention of any deal-seeking, treasure-hunting souls.

My parents brought over some items of their own to sell, and inevitably, in true garage sale style, along with a pocket-full of cash, I ended the weekend with a few extra "treasures" that my parents were planning to get rid of. 

I also gained some "friends", an offer to trim a tree, and a reminder that there is a big world out there, filled with all sorts of interesting people, who might find my junk to be their treasure.

I can't wait to spray paint this little treasure, from my room when I was a little girl :)

Happy Thoughts & Happy Garage-Sale-ing!

Lisa


I'm participating in My Romantic Home's Friday Show & Tell...check it out!

In loving memory

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.
-Lin Yutang 


I have so much I could say about the joys of motherhood and how much I cherish my role as mother to my wonderful daughters.  


But today, my heart is full of sadness over the loss of a dear woman who I had the pleasure to know and work with.  She was a beautiful lady, who consistently showed grace, integrity and strength in all she did, as well as during her long battle with cancer.


Today, my heart aches for her husband and three children who are left behind to mourn the loss of someone who can never be replaced.  I can't even imagine, it's too painful to even try.


The best I can do to honor her is to let it remind me to cherish each and every day I have here on earth with my wonderful family and friends.  Life is  fragile, and can be taken away at any moment.  Sometimes it takes a tragic event to put things in perspective.

I count myself extremely lucky that I was blessed with a lovely Mother's Day spent with my youngest daughter and parents.  My daughter cooked us a delicious meal and it was a day spent reflecting the blessings I have.  I missed my oldest daughter, but can take comfort in knowing she will be home soon.


In loving memory of Nancy... teacher, friend, wife, mother.


Happy Thoughts,
Lisa

Home

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.  
~Jane Austen


Home is truly my favorite place to be.  I love to travel, and see new places, although I haven't done a whole lot of that so far in my life, but home is where I feel the most comfortable.  





My home has been a work in progress for the past 14 years.  When my ex-husband and I first bought it, it was a complete fixer-upper.  None of the plumbing worked properly, the electrical had not been updated in many years, and could not accommodate a family's modern-day needs.  It was virtually in a state of disrepair when bought it.  It was months before we could actually move in, and even then we were only living in a few of the rooms.


It was smelly, dirty, crusty, and dark.  What in the world was I thinking when I dragged my husband, kids, and mom back for a second look??  The bathrooms were old and dark and needed to be completely redone.  The final room I viewed on my very first tour was the kitchen.  As I walked down the four steps to the kitchen, my heart sank.  We had been looking at enough old homes to know that the kitchens and bathrooms cost the most to repair and remodel.  This kitchen was literally crumbling in places.  The tiny little tiles around the sink, were rotted and you could pick them off w/ your fingers.  There were dirty stains and drips all over the walls.  When we turned on the sink faucet, the water was brown, and it poured right out from the pipes underneath.


Although the windows were dirty and foggy, over the kitchen sink there was the most amazing view of our City Park directly across the street.  It was dusk the first time I went through, and the light was beautiful.  Something in that view and the light at that moment had me hooked.  I wanted this house.


What in the world possessed us to buy a house that needed so much work, when we had so little experience with remodeling and construction?   I will never completely know.  I had watched one too many episodes of "This Old House".  I had a very romanticized view of old houses, I was hooked on the character that these homes possess.  "It has so much potential" became our catch phrase.


After an inspection of the foundation and structure of the house, we were assured it was a good, solid home, built with quality craftsmanship.  


We had very little money.  I can't even explain our logic.  We were dreamers and completely clueless, really.  Our blind faith and ignorance propelled us into a home-buying venture,  that I have both regretted at times, but also been grateful for.


Now I am a single mom, and this home is my girls' and my castle. I have put my heart and soul in this house, and it has seen both good and bad times in our lives.  It has been many painstaking years of renovation and improvements, and by no means is it "finished".



It will probably always be a work in progress, but it has come a long way.  I have given up on the idea of perfection.  All the chips, imperfections, and quirks of my house are what give it the character that I cherish.


Home is definitely where my heart is, and I think my daughters feel the same.  In future posts, I will show  you some more pictures of the inside of my home, before and after.


Wishing you a place of comfort and Happy Thoughts,
Lisa


I am participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday", check it out here:

Grateful

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.  -William Arthur Ward

Today is was not the quote that inspired my musings, but the feeling...grateful, or being full of gratitude, for the blessings in my life.  Just the definition puts a smile on my face, in part - "positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive".

When the stresses of daily life become overwhelming, I have to stop and remember that I truly am grateful for many things in my life.

There are the obvious, such as my beautiful daughters, comfortable home, and supportive parents.  I am also grateful for the wonderful staff and boss I work for and with at the school I work at.  The parents who surprise me with Starbucks, or take the time the say thank you, or that they appreciate me.  I am grateful for the students who present me with their precious artwork that I can hang over my desk.

                                                             Isn't she cute?

I am also grateful for the things that are considered in our modern lives as a necessity.  My truck, for example.  I never thought I'd drive a truck.  My ex-husband always had one, I mean lots of "guys" drive them...but me?  I barely ever drove his when we were married.  I have always dreamed of owning a Volkswagen Bug.  You know, Herbie, that cute little car with personality?   After my divorce, as my car was nearing the 10 year mark, and my oldest daughter was nearing 16, it was time to start thinking about a new vehicle.  Now, car shopping is one of my least favorite things to do...I don't like the wheeling and dealing that goes on.  I decided to keep it simple and buy my next car through an online broker. 

When I started really looking at my life, I realized I needed something bigger than my beloved Bug.  So, three years ago, for my 40th birthday, I bought myself a truck.  It has a backseat that is the same size as any car I've ever owned, so driving the kids and their friends around is still possible.  I love not having to find someone to help me pick up larger than average items.  I am always working on my house and garden, so there has been many times my trusty little truck has not let me down.  I love being so high up, I kind of feel like queen of the road, even though overall my truck is not that much bigger than the Camry I used to drive.  Road trips to Tahoe and San Diego are a piece of cake now that I have the room to haul whatever we need.  I can't imagine now, how I would have moved my daughter in to college without my truck. 
I even have sticker on the back that reads:  "Silly boys, trucks are for girls". 

As you can tell, I really love my truck : )

What are you grateful for in your life?

Wishing you gratitude and Happy Thoughts,

Lisa

All packed up for Tahoe