Glitter is Good

I’m nearing the end of my summer reading list, and most recently finished Waking up in the Land of Glitter. I read this for my book club, and we are a wonderfully diverse group of women so it’s rare that we all like the same book. For this one though, it was unanimous! We have one true crafter in the group (dedicated craft room and all), but even the non-crafty gals in the group loved it. But the coolest thing was what happened at our book club meeting.

Does “Losing Weight” Mean You Want it Back?

There are common sayings we use all the time, mostly without thinking about it. But have you ever had one of those moments where your brain paid attention and you think to yourself “what does that really mean and why do we say that”? Today I had one of those moments, when I stepped on the scale and “lost” 2 pounds since last week. (I’m generally trying to be healthier but that is not the point of this post.)

Becoming a Texan

One year ago today, we climbed out of our car after 2 1/2 days on the road (and nearly 1500 miles) with our two cats, and set foot in Texas. I can’t believe one year has passed! (Where DOES the time go?) But I thought I’d take a few moments to reflect on my first year becoming a Texan.

Proud to be a Savvy Auntie

I do not have human-children (although I am a cat mommy), but I have two very important children in my life that I love as if they were my own. My 5- (going on 35)-year old niece, and my 2 1/2 year old nephew. I am their auntie by blood (they are my sister’s children) and proudly their godmother. And I love that Savvy Auntie has given us aunties a day to celebrate that special relationship with Auntie’s Day which is Sunday, July 25!

Since I no longer live close to them (we moved to Texas a year ago and they live in California), I am SO LUCKY that the stars have aligned and I have the opportunity to be back in California this weekend and will treasure every moment of my time with them! They are growing up SO FAST! For the parents out there, I know you recognize how quickly they grow up, but you’re also seeing them every day. For the auntie like me who only gets to see your kids a few times a year…(time out – pouting and holding back a little tear – *sigh* okay I’m better)…it’s overwhelming how much they change. And I treasure all of the moments I get to savor just being with them!

I have a picture on my desk of me and my husband with my niece and nephew at my nephew’s blessing ceremony. They were tiny then. It makes me smile and ache all at the same time. I just want to give them the biggest, squishiest hug! Thankfully, I’m on a plane this morning and will be doling out copious amounts of hugs and kisses until they just can’t stand me any more. I am so lucky that my sister has blessed me with the opportunity to be an aunt, and a very proud one.

Introducing Cali and Po

Casa Kitty

I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to my two cats this morning. Yes, I love them and I’m a cat mommy. Yes, I take lots of pictures of them and could show them to you any time on my iPhone. Yes, they are spoiled and I’m okay with that. But none of those are the primary reasons why they are the subject of this morning’s blog post. This morning I write about them because Po has decided that I’m not allowed to sleep in on Saturdays, and this morning was no exception. But before I get into that, let me introduce you to the personalities that are my cats.

10 Things to Know About Springfield, MO

Last week, I took my 4th trip to Springfield, MO. This is not the Springfield of The Simpsons fame (or is it??) but is my hubby’s home town. Our previous trips were shorter, and on two occasions were for family emergencies. Being that we were there for nearly an entire week, I would consider this my first “vacation” to Springfield. And as such, I had more down time to make a few observations. I’ve summarized these into the 10 things you should know about Springfield.

When your vacation doesn’t go as expected

I like a variety of books, and am open to trying many new things. But as you may have noticed with My Summer Reading, it’s mostly a summer of chick lit. Yes, it’s mostly Jen Lancaster (she is cracking me up) but there are a few others too.

One of those is Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham, which I just finished reading a couple days ago. This definitely qualifies as a fun summer read solidly planted in the chick lit genre.

The set up of the story is fairly predictable. Two families are preparing to leave on holiday to a friend’s villa in Spain. And wouldn’t you know it, they’re headed to the same villa for the exact same week. More twisty plot….the wife of one family and the hubby of the other know each other…intimately…from their “prior” lives. This creates some tension from the get-go, and you think you know how it’s going to all play out. But there are some twists and turns in the story that keep you turning the pages.

I don’t want to ruin the story, and this isn’t a book review (other than to say that Yes, I would definitely recommend this to lovers of chick lit). But it did make me question: how well would I handle a vacation that was NOTHING like I had planned? Would I be able to make the best of it?

The Overcomplicated Life

You ever have one of those days that you wonder why you’re caught up in the rat race, running on the treadmill, questioning what you’re working for? When you start to question the meaning of your life and what you really want it to be? When you realize that sometimes we over-complicate our life for the purpose of doing what we think we’re supposed to be doing? Why do we lead such overcomplicated lives?

Will Alex Be Our First?

This is our first full summer in Texas, after having arrived here on the evening of July 31, 2009. Yes, we arrived smack dab in the middle of summer…from San Diego, CA. We got in our car in 70 degree weather and got out in an oven. (I’ll have to blog separately sometime about that 2 1/2 day trip.)

So, yes, it was hot back then. And it’s been hot since April 30 this year too. Why do I remember the EXACT date? That happened to be our 10-year anniversary and we were trying to get away for the weekend to San Antonio, and it was gross. Hot, humid. Never mind we think we ate some bad beef jerky from Buc-ees on the way there. (Sorry Buc-ees, but we’re glad we didn’t try the Beaver Nuggets – whatever those are.)

I’ve been trying not to whine too much – I love a Midwest storm. But now they’re predicting a higher-than-normal number of hurricanes this year. Will Alex be our first?

My Summer Reading List

I think Saturday mornings are my favorite time of week. The weekend has just started. I’m usually up before my husband (yep, he’s soundly snoozing away), so I get a little quiet time. The whole weekend is ahead of me and the possibilities are endless! And I also can look back on the week a little bit – usually just to be thankful that it’s over. Like today. Whew that was a long week!

This week marked the official first day of summer. For those of us living in Texas, it was just a reminder that it’s been HOT for a while now, and there is no end in sight. I’m fully prepared to stay hot and try not to whine too much for the next 3-4 months. But look out fall! I will appreciate you very differently this year!

With the beginning of summer, we turn our attention to thoughts of vacations and lounging. Which also means, summer reading!