Good Vibrations

 "You're going to be pleasantly surprised by how things turn out for you. The Universe always manages to throw you a good curve ball just when you believe things may not go your way. They wind up working out far better than you'd ever expect.  You have to remain fully vested in the fact that there is a future waiting for you that is beyond your mental grasp at this moment. For now, you know what works and what doesn't work. You know what feels good and what doesn't.  Continue to pursue what's best for you in this moment, and allow your energy to line up everything else."

Yappy Hour February 2021

 February 11th

February 18

* Sherri was missing in action. That's her empty chair. Question of the day: "Where is Sherri?" 

February 25

A Game of Songs

 

OK music lovers — here are the rules:

Answer each category with a SONG related to each topic. No repeats and don’t use the internet. It’s tempting but try not to. Go with the first song that comes to mind, change the answers to your own.  

 

* Something to wear -  Itsy bitsy teeny weeie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

* A Place -  Somewhere Over The Rainbow

* Animal -  Monkey Time

* A Number -  One is the Loneliest Number You'll Ever Know

* A Color - She Wore Blue Velvet

* A Girl’s Name -  Barbara Ann

* A Boy’s Name -  Johnny Angel

* Profession- If I were a Carpenter

Have You Heard of These Words?

 

 

 

Gallivant, Britches, Codger, Rigmarole, Hoodwink, Ragamuffin, Fiddle-Faddle, Humbug, Skullduggery, Jalopy, Kibosh, Bejeebers, Flibberty-jibbit, Hullabaloo, Bamboozled, Flabbergasted, Brouhaha, Discombobulated, Lollygag, Malarkey, Cattywumpus, Nincompoop, Skedaddle, Shenanigans, Flummoxed, Pumpernickle, Berserk, Periwinkle, Thingamyjig, Whatsit, Confuzzled, Kerfuffle, Poppycock, Bogus, Balderdash, Fuddy-duddy, Thunderation, Whosemegadget, Skewwiff, Lambasted, Flim-flam, Whatchamacallit, concoction, Doohicky, Bogsmacked, Thingamebob, Camaraderie, Nucklehead, Wishywashy, Fiddlesticks, Caterwaling, Rigmarole, Tomfoolery, Bodacious,Fiddle-dee-dee, Willy-nilly, Decrepid, Persnickety, Egads, Audacity, Baloney,  Numb-skull

 

 

Each Day

 

"Begin at once to live,

and count each 

separate day as a

separate life." -Seneca

 

 

What Will Matter

 

 “In the end, 

only three things matter:

 how much you loved,

 how gently you lived,

 and how gracefully you let go of things

 not meant for you.” — Buddha.

 

  

Happy 5th Month Birthday Rocco

 

 

 Today little Rocco turns 5 months. Lately he’s been introduced to the amazing world of solid foods.  He especially loves bananas and smiled profusely after each spoonful and sometimes enthusiastically raising his shoulders and snorting.  When my sister Jocelyn saw this she made me laugh saying: "Sometimes I snort too after eating something tasty!

Thoughts on a Sunday

 It is a beautiful Sunday here in Long Beach. We woke up in the wee hours before daylight. We have a ton of lemons on our tree and sweet blooming fragrant flowers. Thanks to my friend Sherri

who posted pictures of her lemons which reminded me that something so sour can be visually so sweet. 

 

 

 And thanks to Michaela who posted this quote about time. I’ve spent a peaceful morning reading in the sunshine and counting blessings for all the simple things we often take for granted. I thought about how good it felt to finally be able to play with Sofia without fear she was going to lose electricity. I was thinking about the ease we turn on a faucet to get drinking water. I want to think about the gift of good health and the gift of time. I hope your Sunday brings you a smile and sunlight in your soul.

 

 
"There is no 

"right time",

 there is just

 time and what 

you choose

 to do with it."

 

 

After The Snow Storm in Dallas

 It’s a new day and the sun is out in Dallas.   Fortunately for Daniele and Aria their power was turned on and so far no apparent structural damage nor loss of water. Others are far less fortunate and our thoughts and prayers go out to those still suffering. Aria and Sofia walked to the grocery store yesterday and the shelves were pretty bare. They bought what they thought was the last milk but when they got home found out it was buttermilk. So Aria baked some buttermilk bread and said it was delicious. Sofia was her usual self saying gramma I’m in the sunshine with a tank top and sunglasses and we made snow ice cream! She has an active imagination! We’re catching up with our play time together.

 

Zen Mornings

 

 I’m beginning these early mornings with a new ritual.

 I pretend I’m at a luxury spa. 

Quiet zen music, 

drink pu’er tea, 

say a gratitude prayer.

Don't Prioritize

 "Don’t prioritize your looks my friend, as they won’t last the journey.

Your sense of humor though, will only get better with age.

Your intuition will grow and expand like a majestic cloak of wisdom.

Your ability to choose your battles, will be fine-tuned to perfection.

Your capacity for stillness, for living in the moment, will blossom.

Your desire to live each and every moment will transcend all other wants.

Your instinct for knowing what (and who) is worth your time, will grow and flourish like ivy on a castle wall.

Don’t prioritize your looks my friend,
they will change forevermore, that pursuit is one of much sadness and disappointment.

Prioritize the uniqueness that make you you, and the invisible magnet that draws in other like-minded souls to dance in your orbit.

These are the things which will only get better."

(Donna Ashworth)

The Wearing of Masks and Other Safety Features

 Sofia drew this on February 12. Her little masked girl.

She added the red cross for a place to go for first aid.

This is Sofia taking care of her Deena the Dino. Remember to

drink plenty of water.

At 5 1/2 Sofia keeps in mind safety features like wearing her helmet when she rides her bike.

Jude Turns 8 Months Old

 Today February 17th my grandson Jude turned 8 months old. He visited Sydney harbor for the first time and went to dad and mom’s jobs to meet their workmates and to see some city sites. Happy 8 month birthday Jude.

Snow Storm in Dallas

 

Babies bundled up.

You Were Born To Sparkle

 

"Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen." 

Enough

 

"Look for a way to

lift someone up. 

And if that's 

all you do,

that's enough." -Elizabeth Lessert

 We had a very quiet but sweet Valentine’s Day. Mike made a great surf and turf dinner and I made a cream cheese pie with strawberry sauce. 

 

 

We don’t exchange big gifts and since we don’t shop in stores I gave Mike amazon popcorn in a tin and he gave me a box of chocolates.

 

 As he always does he made me a Valentine card. 

 

 

We talked to both daughters and saw the grandkids. It’s snowing a lot in Dallas and Sofia is having fun making snow angels and delighting in the snowfall. 

 

 

the kids down under are being kept busy with Jude becoming an expert crawler. Sending good wishes for a happy heart all year long to all of you.

Time To Celebrate A New Year

 

 

 2021 is a year of the Ox, starting from today, February 12th, 2021 (Chinese lunar New Year Day) and lasting until January 31st, 2022. It will be a Metal Ox year.
In celebration (I’m trying to seize every opportunity to celebrate) I’m prepping tonights dinner of shrimp and avocado spring rolls. Hsin Nien Hui (“Wish you well in the New Year”)

 

TGIF

 

 

"Go for it now. The Future is promised to no one." - W. Dyer

Chocolate Covered Strawberries on A Snow Day

 Snow day so distance learning for Sofia. We were able to chat during her lunch break. 

 After school Sofia makes pink chocolate covered Strawberries

 

Since she’s back at school these past few weeks we don’t have a lot of play time but we are enjoying story time at bed time.

 

while her brother Bobo relaxes

Bobo is also trying out solid food for the first time. This week he had Avocado. I think he's a fan.