My So Called Week Off

I took a week off from work to tackle my long over due "To Do" list. My "so called" week off from work just underscores how much we all need a "wife", or personal assistant, or to move to some primitive isle where we can sweep out the mud hut and go with the youngsters to hunt and gather. Since none of those are possible for me, and I am fortunate enough to have accrued quite a bit of paid time off, (the second most lovely 3 little words in the language!), I took the opportunity to catch up on car and household maintenance, and end of the year school stuff for the boys.

Our youngest had both a science and W.W.II History project due which is so annoying with two weeks left of the school year. I often feel relief when the boys finish their projects, and take pride in their accomplishments and efforts, no matter what the outcome. (Or not, depending on the Effort!)

Our oldest son had his final Show Choir performance of the school year, and will be learning new songs, dances, and routines over the summer for next year. Also, for any readers in the U.K., the high school show choir advanced group, Sound Vibrations, will be featured in a documentary that will air in Great Britain on June 7th, channel 4 at 10pm. It will follow the season closer for "Glee", and is titled, "Gleeful...The Real Show Choirs of America."

Now it's onto packing and getting ready to go to the Central Coast for our niece's high school graduation on Friday. It seems like she was a toddler just a few years ago, and now, she's off to start her college career. She's a very special young lady, I anticipate great things for her, and all of us.

I really like this vacation before my vacation, I don't feel so stressed like I usually do before we go out of town. Next time, maybe I can do both, take time off before and after our trip. Now that sounds like a real week off, even though it's technically two weeks.

I wish you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I hope you get some real time off too. Thank you.

Pretty in Pink at the Promenade

Thank you for joining me for Pink Saturday at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Lots of pink stores-


Some pink hair-
Street entertainer in a pink dress-
Patterned pink socks on the sartorially daring-
Thank you for your visit, I hope you enjoyed this "Touch of Pink"!

Have Surfboards, Will Travel- Santa Monica Scenes for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Have Surfboards, Will Travel. Eleven surfboards to be exact. I guess you just can't stop at one.

Every Sunday, the beach becomes a communal workout area for yogis and practitioners of the Brazilian martial arts.
The PVC pipes are some of the props used for poses.


I am posting today over at The Motivation Station on the topic of flexibility, please stop by. Thank you so much.

There's Lots to do at the YMCA (like Wine and Whine)

I received this email from a local blog community I recently joined. They sure do sound like a fun crowd at the very least. This email is in its entirety and I look forward to your take on this. Thank you so much.

A message to all members of XYZ* Blog

We have an idea!

Stop by the YMCA tonight at 6pm for "Wine with the Y". Members and non-members are welcome.

Come and taste wines at a great value. You'll discover new favorites for under $10!

Bring the kiddos if you have to. There will be plenty of space for them to play while you mingle.

Click here to RSVP.




There's lots to do at the YMCA for sure.

*The name has been changed to protect the innocent, not so innocent, and all parties, uninterested or not. (Yes, Grammarians, I am aware that my use of the word, not, at the end of the preceding sentence is a double negative which is a Big No-No!! See how punny, someone might think I hit the wine.)

Gourmet Chocolates for Pink Saturday and The Color Carnival

A most delightful part of any holiday in my estimation is being the recipient of good chocolate. My husband and sons acquitted themselves admirably in this task for Mother's Day last weekend, when I received a colorful assortment of chocolates from Lake Champlain, Vermont, and a Vosges gourmet chocolate bar with Goji berries, pink Himalayan salt and 41% cacao. (Tres delish.)

Many thanks to Beverly, host of Pink Saturday, Martha, host of The Color Carnival, and to you for your visit. I send my best for a wonderful week whether you prefer it salty or sweet.

Political Correctness Run Amok

Our youngest son, S. has a couple big school projects left for the remainder of the school year including one on the subject of World War II. He enjoys studying this topic and has already completed a diorama showing the Battle of Gagnon and a video depiction of a paratrooper landing into France. For the final part of this year long assignment, he was planning a report on the equipment and gear carried by an Infantry soldier fighting in Europe. He also interviewed our Uncle Bud, (his Great-Uncle), a Purple Heart decorated veteran of World War II, who liberated not only the death camps of Dachau and Treblinka, but also guarded exiled Prince Ludwig of Austria and his family after the War. (A living treasure and hero, truly.)

Our son's teacher requires that the children discuss their project plans prior to getting started. She told our son that he could not include any information on weaponry as part of his report. Yes, you read that correctly, no weapons for a World War II report. S.told his Dad and I this, and I decided I needed to contact the teacher to follow up.

I left the teacher a voicemail requesting clarity on how a World War II report was to be factually presented without the inclusion of weaponry. She never called me back. However, she did tell S.that he could include weapons in his report if he had substantiating research and documentation on them.

Do you think he will have Any Trouble Whatsoever finding authoritative resources on the guns, tanks, and armament used in World War II? I sure don't! In fact, whole museums and scholarly texts have been devoted to this subject! Imagine that!

I consider it an insult to those who sacrifice and risk so much in the Armed Forces, to have the history of War glossed over in the guise of "protecting the children", and being political correct by denying the horrors and pain of the War to End All Wars, and all the ones that came after it.

Dear Loser Letters - Show Choir Road Trip Edition

As requested by sweet Momma Val, more Dear Loser Letters, here is The Show Choir Road Trip Edition-

Dear Moron Drivers who Drive Slooow in the Left Lane,

You have no business Ever being in the left lane which is called The Fast Lane and The Passing Lane for a reason. Now get over to the right where you belong and Stay There.

Signed, Flashing my headlights cause I'm Over It



Dear Parent with Competing High School Show Choir sitting behind us,

Please be quiet when another school's group is on stage, and No, I don't really care about your dislike of the performance. Neither did the dozen or so people around us.

Signed, Giving you "the Look" and Ready to Shush you



Dear Parents and Students manning the entry at the venue,

I am not going to come back into the building, just to satisfy your need for me to immediately Leave Again by the other door. I've made my escape, and That's Just Silly.

Signed, Thank Goodness for Volunteers



Dear Homeless Guy,

Thank you for the reminder, that what is only a dollar to me, can mean a whole lot more to you. No, I don't care what you spend it on, may you find some comfort along your way.

Signed, There But for the Grace of God Go I

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner, well, actually Face Cream

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner, well actually, of the Perricone Advanced Facial Firming activator is according to Random dot org (drum roll sound effect here)-


Enter a lower limit: 2
Enter an upper limit: 23
TaDa-
Random Number: 7

Lucky Number 7 is Are You Kidding Me with her comment -
My secrets: I never wear foundation. I usually wear moisturizer/sunscreen. I wash my mostly dry skin once a day (which drives my oily-skinned husband BATTY!) with Dial Soap. I stay out of the sun whenever possible.

Given my genetics, I will soon be wrinkling up like a prune, but anything to help delay that will be appreciated!

Thank you all so much for playing along and Congrats to our prune delaying Winner!

Two New Favorite Kitchen Helpers for The Motivation Station Show and Tell

Have you ever wondered, "How in the world did I ever manage without this piece of knowledge or gadget??" That's the way I feel about roasting vegetables prior to adding to soups and sauces, and my Immersion Blender, and they work especially well together.

I learned about the roasting veggie tip from Tamy's Always Eat On the Good China and her delicious Stuffed Meatballs with sauce recipe. I am hooked! Roasting the vegetables not only gives a rich, deep flavor to any dish, it helps clean out the refrigerator, cut down on wasted food, and Up the Health Quotient in our family's meals. Thank you so much for the inspiration, Tamy! Thank you also to Martha at Seaside Simplicity, Linda of Finding Footsteps in the Sand, and the Our Krazy Kitchen crew for all their great menus, recipes, and pictures. Especially the photos, Yum!

Now, which leads me to my love of my Immersion Blender. This tool is great for blending sauces and gravies. You plug it in, stick it your sauce pan or bowl, and blend away. It also has food chopper and whisk attachments to handle a variety of tasks. Plus, it cuts down on dirty dishes to wash!

What are your favorite kitchen tips and tools that inspire you?

Thank you so much and please stop by The Motivation Station Show and Tell this week for incredible recipes, (chocolate covered strawberries, anyone??), money saving ideas, and flavorful menu planning.