A Tiny Random Update

 

Even before it was subject for a documentary and TV show, I was been obsessed with Tiny Houses......I could live here:

 My grandmother lived in a Tiny House....maybe 400 square feet?  It had hand blown and beveled windows, crystal doorknobs a tiny kitchen, a tiny bathroom with a tiny ball and claw cast iron tub and a tiny bedroom and a tiny living room, a tiny front porch and a tiny back porch.  I wish it was still there so I could go back into it.  There was also a tiny house by where we lived and it was concrete block and I used to drive by it and wonder what it would be like to live in a Tiny House.....I still want a tiny house and I guess by some of my friends standards I do have a tiny house.....however, since it has been a slow week I guess a tiny random update is in order!

 My Tiny # 1 is such a gamer.....he dominated in his soccer game, scoring all 3 goals, but more important to me is that he was not a ball hog, he was passing and playing offense and defense....he is amazing to watch in any sport, his focus and passion are that of his mommys.  He catches lizards, grows plants, makes friends and there is no limit on his capabilities....that is, not without  a few growing pains here and there

 My Tiny # 2 is a stamina machine....for a tiny guy he can go all day, out eat everyone, out play, out pack, out carry and out do anyone he puts his mind too.  He is the official poster boy for the indoor soccer stadium, complete with his picture on every piece of their advertisements....he loves life and the game and is always happy.....unless he is exhausted and then look out!

These two and their tiny shovels love to work around out yard during out re-landscaping!

 Sad news this week....an Arizona icon, Bill  Thompson, aka, Wallace from the Wallace and Ladmo TV show (cult following if you were a 60's kids - even your parents watched).  I had a tiny part on their show when I was older and working for Sears.  They would dress me up in a purple velvet mini skirt and white go go boots and I would go on the show with Winnie the Pooh when he would make appearances.  They were always so nice and funny to be around and it is sad when another tiny piece of your childhood slips away.....Thanks for all the laughs and good times guys!

 A Tiny bit of progress was made on the backyard re-landscaping.  See the rocks (not tiny) - we did not buy them.  Thanks to the San Diego crummy soil we dug all these rocks up when we redid the front yard and that was perfect for our rock garden project!

The landscapers were a tiny bit short on the lining they brought for the garden so the project is unfinished for another week.....a tiny huge disappointment.

And this tiny house reminds me of a church that my great great grandfather founded called Mt. Horeb....

 

Do you agree with me a Tiny bit?????

 

 
 
 



Oye Como Va Lyrics - 17 days Post Op # 3

We are 17 days post op surgery # 3....Steve still not able to sit and has only been out to Dr and then had to lay in the backseat as he still can't sit!  We have been in the house 24/7 except when I get out for a bit.....getting in touch with my inner Carlos Santana has helped!

 

 

 

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.

Carlos Santana

I have been doing a lot of walking, doing projects and listening to music.....instead of cruising on the Italy coast I have been putting puzzles together of the Italy Coast

 

 

The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.

Carlos Santana

 

 The cooking shows go on for hours and I have never grocery shopped more or cooked more....One day the blueberries were just looking so fresh and plump....

 I had never made a blueberry crumble and it turned out pretty good!

 

 

 Forgive this blurry old picture of The Addie from 1979....my mom and dad gave him this radio flyer for his very first birthday - he played and played with it....we pulled him; he pulled Kristen and I could just never part with it and it moved from Arizona with us to LA and from LA to San Diego....

 I got it down from the storage and got it all cleaned up.....

 And put the Golden Book collection in it.....it was fun going thru all the books and having the boys pick out their favorites and re-reading them.....

 

 

Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.

Carlos Santana

 

 I added another Back To School vignette for a punch of color and fun.....

 

I'm laughing because I know the secret of life. And the secret of life is that I have validated my existence. I know that I am worth more than my house, my bank account, or any physical thing.

Carlos Santana

 

It was a special treat to get invited by Krisser and the boys to go to Sea World for a few hours one morning.  We got their early and almost had the park to ourselves. 

 Being season pass holders they know each and every nook and cranny in Sea World and I just let them show me all their favorite things.....

 I had never seen the Polar Bear and he was active in the a.m. waiting for his breakfast!

 Never get tired of the Pelican Walk...such a treat to see....

 While  Brody and I sat up high Krisser and Dylan opted for the Splash Zone - and they got it!  The trainer stood right behind Dylan and prompted Shamu to splash him and Kristen - they had ponchos on and still got drenched!

 Nature Boy Dylan is in his element here in the hands on section....so calm and gentle and loved each and every opportunity to interact with the sea creatures....

 Brody a bit more apprehensive but followed big brothers lead.....

 

There is no person that love cannot heal; there is no soul that love cannot save.

Carlos Santana

 

 Brody and I decided not to go on the Atlantis Splash but Dylan and his mommy were brave!

 

Everybody sooner or later has to drop the luggage and the baggage of illusions.

Carlos Santana

 

And what is a day at Sea World without a pretzel in the shape of Shamu?

Worth repeating:  If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.

Carlos Santana

Thanks, Carlos.....your have made a long rough week better!

Patience and Wisdom.....not long on either!

I sincerely believe this:

 

 

And I get lots of opportunities to get better at both!  WIP - Work in Progress

Well our front yard is 99% done....after weeks and weeks that turned into months (Patience x infinity) and months I think maybe just a few more plants and black chips....

 I am thinking about some little twinkle lights around the front wall....

 And another plant in front of the double palm beside the walkway.....

 The fire pit with metal cover finally came.....(Patience)....and it arrived with two broken pieces so we had to call their 800 number to order replacement (need more patience)...

 My little loves are in year round school so they only have a few more weeks before they go back!  I took down all my July 4th decorations and started playing around with a Back to School Theme...simple, a pack of crayons around a small glass vase....

 

I put the boys pictures on the lazy susan, an old Dick and Jane book with flags in the crayon vase, the little schoolhouse bird houses I painted, an old metal globe bank and a globe pencil sharpener, a yellow school bus that used to belong to Adam.....

 And on the backside one of my aunt's apple gourd she grows and dries....I painted it gold, then painted a streaked red over it and it came out looking like a real apple...a real BIG apple....along with Kristen's old pencil box that is shaped like a bus....

 How much is that doggy in the window:

 69 cents at the Thrift Store....he had to come home with me to join the other Pound Puppies in my little French cabinet....He has to find his place in the pack...but I know he is patient and wise!

 Also this 65 cent amber bird had just the right look to join our amber globe collection

The boys came back from Colorado and got to spend 2 nights with us!  We had lots of fun and a few little projects....Gramps still recovering, so we did little things (aka, no basketball, baseball, soccer or strenuous outdoor activities.....we made boats...

 A sailboat by Dylan.....

 Brody chose a.....

 Tugboat!  They used markers to decorate them.

 They spent a lazy afternoon floating them in the backyard makeshift pool....next the backyard project....do I have enough patience or wisdom to take this on?

 We also put a puzzle together.....the boys did really well!

Steve goes back to Dr. this week....hoping to hear some good news!!!!!  Maybe my patience and wisdom will be refilled!

Celebrating Independence Day......Am I Odd or Old?

Sometimes I don't know if I am 'Odd' or 'Old'....and that is a sign I have a lot of time on my hands to think about things.  I have never been able to 'do nothing', not as a child, certainly as a mother or a working professional or as a grandmother....I love to be busy, have a full day and a list of things that need to be done; places to go; people to meet up with, trips to plan, etc. I am happiest when I plan the work and work the plan - as unrealistic as that is in life. Schedules, Itineraries, lists, tasks = be still my heart! 

 

The Master Plan was to ease into this phase of my life slowly and scheduled, however all that changed because of many twists and turns with my career with all of Steve's surgeries the days of going and doing and planning have been scaled back - way back - without my master plan and schedule phases. 

 

Hello!  Being a control queen it is a HUGE adjustment and honestly, I feel a little lost.  I still have lots going on; however, all 'necessary' things and not so much of the other kinds of things that were part of my plan. 

 

Surgery #3 was this week and I am so hopeful that he will feel good again soon.  I realize it is important I finally face and deal with down time that I used to crave for back in the crazy days and figuring out my new normal...slowly getting there....not quite a rudderless ship but not quite on course either.....and always learning, learning, learning. I can do this!

 

Independence Day - aka July 4th is my FAVORITE holiday, second only to Thanksgiving (is that Odd that Christmas, Easter and Halloween aren't my favorite?)

 

 

 It was the day after Steve's surgery but he was able to hobble out for our annual picture with the boys before the parade.....

 My little guys were so tired after a busy week, but they know I love to take them to the parade and manned up.  Of course I loved the lap cuddling before it started - never too old for that!

 Our selfie....miss you Gramps!

 Brian was working so it was Mommy, Me and the boys...

 We have been going to this parade since Kristen was 5, so fun to take her boys....

 It's a funky little neighborhood parade, kind of like the Doo Day parade in Pasadena (small scale) and the theme this year was our 30th anniversary of Scripps Ranch - Flashback to the 70's. 

 The Village People were really looking old.....the cop had knee replacement surgery.

 There are a few 'Normal' entries....loved this one.  These ladies in the Ranch make Red, White and Blue quilts for Wounded Warriors....our neighborhood is very Patriotic!

One of the Annual Entries is 'Preservation of the Middle Class' - basically drunk guys dressed up weird pushing their lawn mowers and equipment in formation while drinking beer...a crowd favorite!

 At the end of their formation they all rush to the crowd and kiss a pretty girl - Kristen got a big juicy one this year!  Lucky guy!

 This is my favorite view of the parade....watching my little loves watch the parade....

 This view is not bad either.....

After the parade we go to our house and let the boys play in the water, barbeque, have fireworks and kick back.  This year the backyard is all dirt (the never ending landscape remodel) so we had to improvise!

 Then we had our 'Daytime' Firework show.....and save the 'Nighttime' stuff for later in the month

 The boys loved the 'Crazy Eyeballs', Snakes and Sparklers....then they went home and packed, met up with Daddy and headed to Colorado!

 It's nice to focus on what Independence Day is and what it is really about, not parades, wearing red, white and blue, picnics and sparklers, but to be grateful for why we have Independence and the cost of it all....the day before Steve's surgery we took the boys to the Navy Seal Exhibit in Coronado to help them understand the real meaning of Independence Day.  This kinda says it all....after the museum we took the boys around Coronado and thanked everyone in uniform for their service. 

 I have been cleaning out closets and working down my project pile.  I came across these School Themed items that I have had for awhile.....

 The boys have to go back to school in Early August so I like to do a little Back to School table scape on their table here at the house.  I had these bird houses that were kind of shaped like school houses....so I painted them up....

 Are school houses yellow - or is that odd?

 I embellished them up and they will be ready for display after all the 4th stuff is down.

 The landscapers had a nice long weekend so Brian and the boys helped us plant around our area near the patio in front....these boys love to dig in the dirt.

 This is the cutest plant we have!  He is growing like a weed!

So am I Odd?

 

 or Old?

 

The Addie gave me a list of TV shows that he thought I would enjoy during my downtime....try 'Orange is the New Black' mom....so I did.  Honestly after the first few episodes I was perplexed as to why Adam would think I would enjoy a bizarre lesbian psycho Netflix show.  I was thinking I was too old - or too odd to 'get it'.  But having lots of down time, I stuck around for a few more episodes.  So by investing a little more time - which I would have never done before...I found the real reason why he thought I would like it.  It's not about my first impression, it is about looking beyond where your circumstances are at the present, finding a way to cope, struggle, endure and appreciate things more.  It's about the bigger lesson when you have nothing but time to deal with things and creating your new normal.

 Well played and Good Call The Addie......you know what your mom needs before she knows it!  Odd or Old = Both!