~ My Poetry

One of the many poems I've written . . . .

~ In My Mind ~

In my mind

I’m walking along

the waters edge

waves tickling my toes

seagulls screeching

overhead as I raise

my face to the sun

feeling its warmth

on my skin as its

rays kiss my face

leaving fresh freckles

scattered across my

nose as I smell the

ocean and taste

the sea salt in the

air

~M

Feb ‘08

~ Stagecoach 2010

Stagecoach 2009 ~ Kenny Chesney was the headliner and you know how I LOVE Kenny Chesney.

Stagecoach is a 3 day music festival featuring country acts playing on different stages. From what I understand, there's a main stage and various smaller stages. Every year the Stagecoach Festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio . . . a mere 3 minutes from my house.

We didn't get to go this year because we were in Omaha celebrating Lynsay's 21st birthday. It was a hard choice to make ~ Lynsay....Kenny Chesney...Lynsay...Kenny Chesney. Hmmm, whichever one should I choose? *grins* Stinkerbell won out of course, but I vowed to make Stagecoach in 2010.

The headliners, along with the line-up were announced this morning and Toby Keith & Keith Urban will be headlining Stagecoach in 2010. Toby "how do you like me now" Keith! Let me tell ya, I like him just fine, which is why I'll be at Stagecoach letting him know just how much I like him!

Other acts will be Gary Allen, Sugarland, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Phil Vassar, Merle Haggard and the Oak Ridge Boys. I've seen Gary Allen, Sugarland and the Oak Ridge Boys but I'd love to see Brooks & Dunn. There will be other acts there too, some I haven't heard of, some that I have. Either way, it'll be a lot of fun with great music, good food and I have a feeling the people watching will be a activity all on its own!

how do you like me now, now that I'm on my way? Do you still think I'm crazy, standin' here today . . . . . .

~ The Perfect Night

As women, I believe that at some point in our lives, we’ve dreamed of all things perfect. At my age, these days I now dream of the perfect cup of coffee, the perfect margarita or the perfect bar of chocolate.

However, when I was much younger, I distinctly remember not only dreaming of, but believing in . . .

the perfect group of friends

the perfect boyfriend

the perfect date

the perfect wedding

the perfect husband

the perfect career

the perfect child

the perfect house

the perfect me

I’m sure the list could go on and on and on. But that doesn’t change the fact that not all things are perfect. Except for one thing. The Perfect Night.

As young mothers chasing toddlers around, we discover that short of committing a felony, we’d do almost anything for this. As mothers with a houseful of teenagers, we constantly crave it. And as empty nest moms, we suddenly realize that we can have it any night we want. And no ladies, I’m not talking about sex! Although, hmmm....nevermind.

I’m talking about, “THE PERFECT NIGHT”

Ingredients are as follows . . . .

1 cool, brisk fall evening or 1 hot, stressful summer evening (or both)

1 bathroom retreat with door that locks. From the inside.

1 stereo or iPod set to stress-free music ~ I suggest Michael Buble, Dave Koz, Kenny G or nature sounds

1 scented candle ~ I prefer vanilla or lavender

1 tub filled with very warm (but not too hot) water

2-3 drops of lavender essential oil

1 inflatable bath pillow, inflated

2 fresh out of the fridge cucumber slices or sleep mask (optional)

1 huge thirsty, fluffy cotton bath towel

1 soft, silky robe

1 glass of wine - bring the bottle if you plan on being there for awhile

Empty house of all other human beings. If that’s not an option, I suggest muting them as you would the TV and the phone. Turn on stereo or iPod. Light the candle and dim the lights. Add lavender oil to warm bathwater. Disrobe and settle into bathtub with a heavenly sigh. Position bath pillow for maximal comfort. Place cucumber slices or sleep mask over eyes.

** Note ~ the cucumber slices come in handy if you plan on soaking for any length of time ~ you might get hungry.

Remain in the tub, refreshing with hot water as necessary. Continue this until relaxation is achieved or other humans begin pounding on bathroom door. Step out of tub and dry off with big, fluffy towel. Slip into warm, soft robe. Repeat as necessary. I suggest at least every other night for full maximal stress release.

And that, my friends, is the Perfect Night!

~ Boob Lube

I love the internet and its usefulness. I love how I can find current events, recipes, weather conditions, songs, bestseller information, my friends and your basic random stuff.

This morning as I was enjoying my coffee, I’m surfing the web as is my custom. I came across the above ad for ‘Boob Lube”. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued so I continued reading. The article took me to this wonderful site called “Catching Fireflies”. I have to say that I love this site. I love the whimsical side of it, and that they seem to have something for everyone. But I especially love the fact that this month, they’re focusing on all that is pink. (you’ll find the site at catchingfireflies.com)

In the past year and a half, I’ve lost 2 friends to breast cancer. Losing Sally literally brought me to my knees. She had been a part of my life for 20 years. She was at my house every year for our annual 4th of July and New Year’s Eve parties. Every year at New Year’s, she’d stick two plastic cups inside her shirt and we’d stand side by side for the annual picture and the measuring of who had the biggest boobs. The irony of our plastic cup escapades never fails to leave me wondering.

I’ve lost an aunt to breast cancer and I have several friends who are survivors. Unfortunately, breast cancer isn’t picky about who it touches, about whose life it changes or the devastation it leaves behind.

The one good thing is, we can all support the cure. We can wear pink during the month of October, we can participate in the Breast Cancer walk, we can wear the pink band, etc. I, myself, wear a sterling silver bracelet that I bought after Sally died. It’s not only my way to honor her memory but it’s my way of supporting the cause.

And right now, I think I’ll go buy some “Boob Lube” ~ I'm thinking it'll make perfect stocking stuffers!

~ Grins & Giggles

It made me laugh ~ is it because it's true??

~ Go Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~

This is for my daughter, my sister, my nieces, my sister-in laws, my mom, my Ya Ya’s and my friends . . . go get your girls checked. I love you all and I want to keep you in my life.

Go Pink ~

~ Home

It’s Saturday morning on October 3rd and I’m sitting in the Denver airport waiting for my flight back to California. I haven’t been home since September 14th and I feel like I’ve been gone forever but it’s only been a few weeks. As I write this, Michael Bubles song, “Home” keeps going through my head . . .

I’m tired. Exhausted, really. Physically, emotionally, and mentally tired. While I enjoyed being in Oklahoma, it certainly wasn’t a pleasure trip. Going to see the kids in Omaha and spending time with them was so good for my heart but even that was rough at the beginning. One never enjoys telling their kids that a grandparent is ill and having to tell Ryan and Lynsay about their beloved Mimi was difficult at best. Seriously, how do you tell your kids that their Mimi not only has lung cancer but has a tumor in her brain? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a brain tumor isn’t a good thing and the realization of that hit Lynsay pretty hard.

I’m amazed that I was able to keep it together while telling them everything that’s going on. I’m shocked actually, that I have yet to break down. Trust me, at this point all I want to do is rant and rave and throw a hissy fit in true Cruella fashion. But I can’t. I couldn’t in front of my mom and I definitely couldn’t in front of my kids. But I can pretty much guarantee that when my plane lands in California and I see KJ, the tears will flow.

I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve missed California. I’ve missed my boys and I want to go home.

Just a few more hours . . . .