KFC

Shortly after we moved to the Happy Valley, the kids school had a picnic.

Everyone brings their own dinner and we spread out on the grass and visit.

The kids were excited because they knew picnic meant--KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken)

J's family grew up on KFC.

When they were living in Ohio, every Sunday they go to Granny's house and eat KFC.

In our family we had KFC on special occasions.

School picnics were definitely in that category.

The day of the picnic we take off to KFC.

Get a bucket, mashed potatoes, beans and chocolate cake.

We arrive at the picnic, spread out our blanket and dig in.

As we are eating I start looking around.

No one else had a bucket.

They all had brought food from home.

Food I had never seen before.

Salads, tofu, beans, lentils,buckwheat, sandwiches with mushrooms and veggies.

I was shocked.

I kept asking people what they were eating--surprising no one asked us what we were eating.

No one asked for a bite either!

Disorganization Update

Ok, I am trying something new.

Nothing gets put away until it has a proper spot!

Linen closet clean.

Pantry clean

Bedroom closet clean

Some of the kitchen drawers clean.

So far it's working.

I am hoping to be done the end of next week when we leave for vacation!

Being Gluten Free

I have been Gluten Free for a little over a year now.

I am have been doing ok, but lately I hit a snag.

Last Thursday I bought a new kind of soy milk for my coffee.

It was labeled Gluten Free.

Tried it on Friday, felt a little off.

Used it on Saturday, had a foggy head and couldn't think straight.

Used it Sunday, got a headache and dizzy.

Checked the label again--yep, gluten free.

Used it Monday and felt terrible!!!!!

Couldn't think or concentrate to read. Headache, dizzy, stomach issues!

I spent all day in bed, dozing on and off listening to a book on tape because I couldn't focus on anything!

So now the question is ....

was it soy or

was it mis labeled and the product did have gluten!

Either way, I threw it out!

Dreams

My weird dream is pretty wild and if I do say so myself.

pretty amazing.

I can hear, see colors, smell, touch, feel and taste things in my dreams.

Sometimes I am me and other times,

I look down and I am someone else.

I also have several places that I keep returning to.

Last night I had one of those dreams.

I am in Maine--or so I think.

I am with my family.

We drive the same way each time.( not the real way we drive to Maine)

After a few minutes, I know where we are, I recognize it.

I know where we are going.

We pass the village common, with the white church and stone path.

We pass the little art store and bakery.

We drive more and see the parking lot for the boats.

Turn left follow the street that is next to the ocean.

It's green and lush, smells of salty air.

We drive over the bridge, see the red building ahead.

We turn into the the old parking lot.

The gravel is uneven and there is grass sticking out.

We unload the car

and start walking towards the woods on the other side of the parking lot.

When we reach reach the woods, we see a path.

We take it.

We walk through the woods for a while.

Then there is a foot bridge that is over an outlet to the ocean.

We walk over the bridge.

We continue walking and then the path comes out to a clearing that has several houses,

well cottages.

Ours is the third one on the left.

It's white with a screened in porch.

It's small and cozy inside.

Living room, kitchen and three bedrooms.

The views from the house are amazing.

We are surrounded by ocean inlets and

VERY few people know about this place.

Every time I dream about this place-I dream about this place 3-5 times a year,

I learn more about it.

One time I went on a tour of the town and walked the path next to the church in the common.

Last night I met the some neighbor

The neighbor last night lived next door.

She was dressed from the 50's, buttoned down shirt and skirt.

She was happy to see and asked where I had been all summer.

When I woke up I realized I hadn't dreamt about that place all summer......

Someone You Love Hurts

It's so hard, when someone you care about is hurting.

It's almost easier to the one in pain,

rather than watch the one you love.

I feel protective, angry and sad.

But my overwhelming feeling is hopeless.

I want to fix it--but I can't.

I want to make it go away--but I can't.

I want to confront the person who is hurting the one I love--but I can't.

It's not my battle.

So I sit here with all this anger and sadness and wonder what to do.

I am just so ANGRY!!!!!

Summer Hair

Summer time and hair don't mix.

Between the pool, beach and sun--forget it!

Each year I start the summer with a new cut and color.

I get something short and easy to manage--or so I think.

About this time, my hair is a mess!

Bleached, brassy and growing out.

Fizzy from humid weather.

So, why do I keep scheduling my vacation when it looks the worse?!

Freezing Time

There are times in my life that I have tried to freeze in my memory.

I remember when MoMo was 3.

We were sitting in the rocking chair in her pink and yellow sponged painted room.

I was rocking her and reading Time For Bed.

She fit perfectly in my lap.

Her feet came to the edge of my knees.

I could tilt my head slightly and rest it on her head,

I could wrap my arms around her and have my arms touch the other's elbow.

I remember snuggling her in her pink bunnies ( what she called footy PJ's),

and thinking

"I need to remember this.

I need to remember what if felt like to hold and cuddle her.

This will be gone soon.

This is my time with her as a toddler."

Today I had that moment with Luke.

He was getting ready for camp.

His face was tan and freckles were scattered across his nose.

He had on a green baseball cap, a soccer shirt and soccer shorts.

His smile was full of mischief and exposed his newly grown in teeth that didn't quite fit his mouth yet.

I just wanted to freeze that moment.

This is his time as a "boy".

He won't be a boy forever.

But for today,

he is MY boy...