There's Light At The End Of The Tunnel

School ended for students on May 26. It was a glorious feeling to run my end of month report at 1:30pm and start the long weekend at 2pm. It was even more glorious knowing come that Tuesday no menace behavior would grace my work area. It's been a year! 

The long weekend was perfect! In traditional form we went camping at Johnson Shut-Ins. By hap chance and unknowingly we ended up reserving the exact same site as last year. Turns out we LOVE the site! 

We arrived at the campground around dinner and broke out a spread of hearty appetizers. Next we took Uli the camping dog for a walk.

 Then we attended a program on owls. The program was hosted by our favorite MO State Parks naturalist, Liz. Her enthusiasm for her job is evident. Since we'd all worked Friday we decided to call it a night at 10:30pm. 

Sure we had a Saturday afternoon of storms, but we also had plenty of sunshine. Rainy afternoons in the camper are no big deal. It's like Mother Nature's invitation to play board games while sipping cocktails...and that's exactly what we did! 

King Ralph, Maddi and I played Sequence and sipped cucumber martinis. When the rain kept up all night we decided on a movie--because The Wanderlust has a ridiculously large flat screen TV. 

By Sunday morning the sun was out in full force. D, Princess A and Prince Charming joined us. They arrived donuts in hand. We welcomed them with freshly perkalated coffee. The plan was to splash around in the Johnson Shut-Ins, but the river rose and the shut-ins closed.

We staked claim on an island in the day use area's calm water. The kids drank brews, we all soaked in the sun and we noshed on sammies and chips. We ended the day with a few more games of Sequence and grilling bacon burgers. Of course no camping trip is complete without a campfire and s'mores. So that's exactly what we did. 

We were not ready for the weekend to end so...

Monday morning M, King Ralph and I drove down the road to Elephant Rocks State Park.

We hadn't been since the kids were little. Climbing around, on, up and over the rocks is fun. 

Then it was home to unpack and prepare for work days countdown..and something else worth celebrating. 

I'm Looking Around All Right

King Ralph and I decided to draw up "roommate" contracts. With D returning home in a couple of weeks and M (with her disgusting bathroom keeping skills)...we decided some adult cohabitation rules need to be set in stone...sealed with ink. 

With all the rain that's dumped on STL and more heavy rains falling today...the neighborhood was in a mad rush to mow grass on Tuesday. Hmmmm I think I'm going to add grass mowing as a shared family experience as a contract line after finding this Snapchat. The last thing I need is two yard trolls sitting on the deck sipping vodka tonics watching the old lady work the new mower. 

On a side note. I just got this picture from D. The flood wall that keeps her college town dry is working. 

Under all that water is a walking/running trail that D runs several times a week. This weather. The flooding. Is just so crazy sad. I'm just glad people are safe. 

(For those wondering--I did receive a $20 Starbucks giftcard for my bathroom cleaning services.) 

Remember That Time

Rainy day. 

Rainy weekend! 

Here come the floods. 

While all this rain pours down my mind flashes my memories back to my girls's childhoods. Sending them out to play in the rain, to laugh and smile...to have the kind of fun present youth can't break away from electronics to have. Rain can be fun! Watching my girls stomp in puddles turned mini-ponds or spinning around with an umbrella over their heads, barely catching a rain drop fills my heart. That is what being a child should look like. Those are the memories I love! 

Today my Timehop offers other memories. Memories that make me smile and those that make laugh. Timehop reminded me that six years ago M became a princess.

These three royals still roll together. There is something special about holding onto friends from your youth. How ironic is it that next weekend M will be at the prom again. Just in a different compacity. The chaperone kind. 

The memory that appeared next is the one I best liked. Last year my BFF came into town for just the night. King Ralph was gone fishing. Prince Charming was out of town. So my BFF, Princess A and I went out for burgers at this great little place called "Stacked." The night was young when we finished dinner so we went for cocktails at "The Chocolate Bar."

While there we got to talking about our wedding dresses. I'd unearthed mine already so I knew mine didn't (and never will again) fit. Princess A and M tried it on and balked at the idea of ever wearing it. My BFF's parents were snowbirds in Arizona and we decided to bust into their house to find her boxed and preserved wedding dress.

It's not exactly burglar behavior when you have the entry code. There we were, three women feeling like criminals. Tiptoeing through a dark house down to the basement. Long story short...we found the dress, laughed till we cried, snapped a few pictures and laughed our way out of the house. No. Wait. We tiptoed out of the house, in the dark, in total silence...as not to rouse the neighbors.  I believe we laughed all night. And the dress...didn't fit...not even Princess A. Damn, we were some skinny bitches when we got married! 

What did that ole' Timehop remind me of--friends are good for the soul! 

My Day In Snapchat Story

Thanks to the nurse for this delicious skinny vanilla almond milk latte to get my day going.

See how M fixed my bitmoji hair up. 

The principal was out of the building and the assistant principal was suddenly summoned to put out a "fire". 

And. This. Happened.

The pressure to perform. To be heard and not seen. My nerves were shaking. My feet were sweating. It was A LOT of information to share. 

Finally I got a Friday treat in the form of a sweet baby girl with a head of hair. 

I think, I know, baby girl made me forget I had read those darn announcements. 

Happy Friday people! 

Goodnight Moon

Four years ago on a beautiful sun filled  February Saturday morning King Ralph and I drove D to SEMO for a music school audition. D had always known she'd wanted to teach. The question was just what did she want to teach. In her inner tug-of-war I merely suggested that music filled her. It is her heart. That she might be happiest teaching what she loves best. Music. Singing. 

It's hard to believe that D will be coming home from college in three weeks. While she won't graduate in May, she will have completed the first of her two majors: Vocal Performance. In the Fall she will student teach near home and complete her second major: Vocal Music Education. D will graduate in December. 

As hard as it is for King Ralph and I to grasp our baby has been away for four years, it is harder for D. She can't totally comprehend how fast the past four years went by. She fully embraced college. She was involved in campus organizations. She made friends, lots of friends. She became more accepting than she already was of different cultures and life choices. A trait that will serve her well in the classroom. She was devoted to and achieved academic excellence. She grew into a more radiant intelligent lady. 

This past Sunday D invited her family and friends to a most beautiful and angelic senior recital. For one hour and twenty minutes D sang to an audience of family, friends, sorority sisters and her college professors. She sang in French, Czech, Russian, German...and that was all before the intermission. While King Ralph has claimed his favorite piece to be E l'uccelino by Puccini, mine was Goodnight Moon by Eric Whitacre.

Yes, the children's book Goodnight Moon. It was a symbolic nod to the end of her college campus days. It was beautiful in story and voice. A touch of serene beauty was added with her music school friend accompanying the song with the cello. It was peaceful and soul filling. It made many of us cry. The good feel-it-in-your-heart cry.

How do you top that? 

You don't. 

Simply say. 

Thank you. 

          (Vocal and Piano Professors) 

And. 

Goodnight Moon. 

I Think They Secretly Like When I Can't Talk

I keep saying how ready I am for summer break, and I am, but really I just want it to be Mother's Day weekend. We haven't take "The Wanderlust" out of storage since we returned from Spring Break. Sigh. We have a Mother's Day trip planned which makes me happy. Camping is what I ask for each year. "The Wanderlust" just knows how to relax me. How to make me let my hair down so to speak and kick it back. It also brings us together as a family on that weekend. I love family time. 

Last Wednesday morning I woke without a voice. Well, I had a voice, but barely. When I did talk (whisper) heads turned. As the day went on the strain of using what little vocal power I had was giving me a dull headache. I tried clearing my throat with small forced coughs...ha, just made my throat red and raw feeling. I refrained from using the intercom and stuck with the phone. Even that was a strain. But you know I'm the kind of employee that believes I have a duty to perform, that people depend on me. I either have to be in the hospital or my head over the toilet bowl to justify staying home. By the time I got home I flopped on my bed exhausted and napped for two hours. 

D called to give me unsolicited, but welcomed, vocal cord care instructions. Then suggested my lack of voice could be stress induced. Hmmmm between work and her...quite possibly could be stressed induced. However, I'm thinking pollen. 

D is in the final days of college campus life. The four great years she has experienced and the hard to leave woe is tugging at her heart strings. Adulting on the cusp of life for her is scary. I've pretty much gotten the brunt of her moods and stress. I don't always nod and smile and offer some June Cleaver-esque advice. I pretty much go with a light dose of Joan Crawford. Keeping it real folks! It's good there's that little thing called unconditional love or we'd be grasping each other around the necks. With each passing day D checks something off her stress list. By 4pm on Sunday the stress pot's boil settled to a low simmer. Hopefully today a sense of relief and accomplishment was felt deep in her soul. (Story to follow in the coming days.)

I am now on day five of no voice. My good friend says when my voice is rested and I can manage to talk that I sound like Mickey Mouse. Like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey. She insisted I say "hot dog" to her kids to prove she is indeed correct in characterizing me. Her kids laughed agreeing with their mother. Whatever! I just want my voice back!! And my college child to hop off the stress bus! 

I guess we all could us a little "Wanderlust" in our lives. 

Mother of the Year

There is no denying M's devotion to her career. She loves teaching! Her long hours in and out of the classroom preparing lessons is evident. She leaves early in the morning, comes home late and devotes Sunday to the coming weeks preparations. 

While she loves teaching and stressing the importance of cleanliness in her kitchen classroom her bathroom is another story! I harp and hound her endlessly that the bathroom isn't "her" space. That it is in fact community use space. Not to mention I own the bathroom...just on loan to her for the better part of 24 years. Today I had enough! With M gone house sitting I rolled up my sleeves and went work--scrubbing toothbrush in hand. As I delved into the cleaning of the shower I was convinced M has a side job creating hair pieces for Hans Wiemann. The never ending hair ball....

An hour and half later the bathroom is bright and sparkly. It looks good. Smells good. No hair ball in sight. But I left a love note on the mirror as my parting gift. Because that's what a good "roommate" who cleans your bathroom should do.

Next time you bump into M be sure to say, "M you have the best (roommate) mom in the world!" 

I. Am. Blessed.

I'm totally ready for summer! Summer break to be exact!! I haven't been this stressed at work in four years.  I rely heavily on my weekends to bring me peace and joy. And the weekends lately haven't failed me! 

Last Friday night the annual trivia team rose to the thorn. We finally after 7 years of teaming at this same trivia achieved 1st place. What we know is not to be over shadowed by what we learned...that Pringles potato chips, no matter the flavor, are gross! 

Since Spring Break I've been busy with Make-A-Wish. I had known for a while that I needed to find something to add to my life that could offset the negativity that my job encompasses. There's something about a child's frailty to put perspective to life. So ya, this year my job is stress laced, but....  Helping to see a child's one wish come true, well that is the perspective of life I need! It does something for the heart...my heart. Fills my heart with joy and puts a smile on my face. And yes, even a happy tear in my eye. 

Last weekend my wish granter friend and I hosted a send-off party for a little guy who's wish was to go to Disney World. He was so excited with just the travel basket we created for him. If a basket of gold fish crackers, trail mix, Frittos, Reese's peanut butter cups, travel bingo and a personalzed T-shirt over joyed our wish kid, we can only imagine what he must be feeling this week as his wish plays out. 

This past Friday I had the day off work. I cleaned house and shopped for D's recital dress (omg college is near its end). On Saturday M and I started our morning with a coffee date and the 5k Wish Walk for Make-A-Wish, as members of team Noah's Crew.

M filled in for my original partner, King Ralph. We teased M that her big shirt was for big wishes.

Then after we got our exercise on and over with I mowed the lawn, prepared foods for a belated birthday BBQ for Princess A and her Prince Charming. We dyed eggs--because you're never to old to dye eggs.

On Easter morning we all gathered in the dining room at 8am for breakfast, where I broke out my Royal Albert bone china tea/coffee cup-plate sets. 

We feasted on quiche and ham and fruit and coffee cake. Like the best, most simple coffee cake ever!  

CINNAMON BUN CAKE 

1 pkg yellow butter cake mix 

4 eggs

6 Tbs softened butter

1 cup sour cream 

Mix ingredients all together. 

In separate bowl mix 

1 cup brown sugar 

2 Tbs cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 350* 

Sprinkle some cinnamon mixture on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Layer cake batter and cinnamon mixture (make 2 layers), ending with cinnamon mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cool, then ice 

In bowl combine 

2 cups powder sugar 

1/4 cup milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Then the six of us went to church and filled a pew. 

There's something about Jesus that helps me ready myself for rough weeks.

Sooooo...Monday, ready or not here I come! 

Survival Means Always Counting Down the Days

I left work on Friday, March 17, not thinking of four leaf clovers, corn beef or green beer. Nope. I left thinking of grabbing a blueberry lager from the frig, while King Ralph captained the truck and towed The Wanderlust. The slightly shortened day I had was by far the most stressful I'd had in some time. That doesn't even count my nine co-workers intertwined in that day's situation. 

By mile marker 90 I was finally relaxed and could start thinking spring break. A break I needed more than I realized. More so because I received an email from my boss warning of me of what was waiting for me on my desk upon my return. That's when I started to count my blessings and thank God for the children he gave me!  

I spent the week sun soaking, reading, sipping cocktails--on and off the beach, riding my bike, watching Redbox movies at night....after walking the dog under the moonlight. I grilled dinners with King Ralph, played games and laughed with him. It was good. Really good! 

Here I am a week post Spring break and all I can I do is think about summer break. You'd think I would rather reflect back on the getaway. Truth is this school year has exhausted me--mind, body and soul. So really, in the matter of survival, counting down to June 8 is the healthy thing to do! 

But if I must reflect...

Dear Beach: 

Thanks for cleansing my soul. You are the perfect escape. See you again next March. <3

Wish

It was October 2015 when I convinced my co-worker to nominate her son for Make-A-Wish. His life threatening disease and constant hospital stays made him a deserving candidate. I emailed her the application and joyfully faxed it for her. I anxiously awaited with her for the wish to be picked up.

Flash forward to March 2016 when Noah's granted wish took him to North Carolina to meet Cam Newton and he filmed a promotional video for Lokia's new MAW bracelet. I smiled and teared for four days at every picture and video I received. My heart swelled. It made long work days tolerable. 

I saw a feature story on CBS Sunday Morning about a school that partnered with MAW. It didn't take much to convince my co-worker that we should present to our school principal to be a Kids For Wish Kids school and that we should be wish granters ourselves. It didn't take much effort to convince the principal and staff to adopt this venture as a school wide service learning experience. The idea of kids actually seeing with their own eyes what their service efforts could accomplish...we knew would a fantastic lesson in empathy and goal setting. So often service learning doesn't present itself with face value. This lesson would do just that! And so the venture began. 

Starting in September the school began to raise money. The kids and their teachers sold MAW stars, custom bracelets, hot cocoa...they had penny wars and a dinner night at Culver's, where the students assisted in serving meal orders. Every fundraiser brought thrill to the kids as they strived for a goal. Then at the end of the rainbow they struck gold--$5000 was raised! The cost of the wish. 

This past Friday the school revealed the wish. It was spectacular! My co-worker and I worked hard decorating the night before and early in the morning on Friday. We hung hundreds of stars from the hallway ceiling. We rolled out a red carpet with a welcome tunnel of cheerleaders. We set a throne, adorned with balloons, between the school band and the school choir. The band played a Disney medley, as a timid 7 year old was escorted by student ambassadors into the gym to his throne; by the cheering of 800 people. He was presented a gift basket of Disney treasures and serenaded by the choir singing Cinderella's: A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes. 

I kept my wish granter's tears in check. Then his mother asked to speak. She spoke of her gratefulness and how unreal the fanfare the school was showing to her son. Then she said the thing that drew a lump to my throat as I fought to hold back tears. She spoke of the years of her son's struggles and the fight against cancer he had to endure. She told the students and staff how this week he looked at her and her husband and said that getting to go to Disney was so great it made "having cancer medium." Spoken in such simple terms by a 7 year old, yet so profound. There it was. The lesson learned from the service. The weight of the wish and the magic of healing the heart. 

As this timid 7 year old was leaving the gym he stopped in front of the band to gaze. The director took his little hand and guided it in the necessary direction of each beat. There he was conducting the band as they played the Mickey Mouse song. Every turn this little guy took he was a star. Students asking for pictures with him and patting his back. He was experiencing his 60 minutes of fame. 

There's something that sticks in the heart when you witness a wish granted. That something has fueled the school to work at granting another wish. 

If you keep on believing the dream that you wish will come true. 

Color Me Manila File Folders

Last Friday I popped into Starbucks to fetch a skinny vanilla almond milk latte. I'd been craving a coffee something bad! After standing in line for seven minutes without moving I had to hop out of line and head to work. It ruined the day when the one thing I wanted I couldn't have because of time clock constraints! 

This morning I was determined to have a Friday coffee. I arrived to a nearly empty parking lot. I felt confident. When I approached the door to Starbucks I cringed. Five people ahead of me. Why coffee lines gotta move slow is beyond me. While I was waiting to place my coffee order I texted Princess A 

(Looked at my weather app, outside temp 26*) 

Truth is I dress for inside not outside. I dress to survive the seven to three-thirty grind...and that means sandals. I stood waiting staring at my watch, tick-tock-tick-tock. Fear not, I scored coffee! I felt like Wonder Woman ready to tackle whatever might be coming my way. And did it come! 

The day came at me like a swarm of bees. File folders fanned across my desk like a deck of cards. My waiting area succumb to standing room only. My computer's mouse guiding the arrow to "print" over and over again. I cranked out notification emails like they were multi-million dollar lottery tickets. My spread sheet of names growing by the minute. Taking a bathroom break was a guilty pleasure. At times I let my mind remember the delicious coffee I started my day with and how it fueled me. 

And my feet...happy and cool! 

Dear Monday, please go easy on me! I still have Friday's file folders to hide behind. 

Salt Pod Got Me Like

My co-worker came to work post her salt pod float raving about it. I decided it was what I wanted for Valentine's Day. I booked myself a 90 minute float. Not that V-Day requires gifts...it was basically an excuse to spend $50 and eased any guilt I might have felt for splurging on myself.

I talked M into joining in on the experience. I floated in room one and she in room two. For an hour and a half I relaxed. It was the deepest meditative state my body has ever experienced. I wish I'd fallen asleep the entire time. I started out in the dark with the soft space age music softly playing before going with total silence. My body stretched out like a star fish, my head resting on a pool noodle, comfortably enclosed in the salt water pod...feeling like I was floating in space. I really really felt like I was floating in space. Until some salt got in my eye. I had to jump up to grab a towel to dab my eye as the burning sensation grabbed hold. Then I returned to my pod. M said the same thing happened to her, except she crawled out of her pod like the swamp thing blindly feeling for the shower for a an eye wash. After 90 minute of infusing my body with magnesium and relaxation the pod spoke to me...something like my time was now up, exit the pod to shower, and that it would begin to empty shortly--the water. 

Will I float again? Yes! My skin felt like silk and I was rejuvenated. 

Will M? She said probably not. 

Go Ahead Mother Nature, Keep On Teasing

Do you ever have one of those days? Or two? Of course you have. We all have! The last two days had me crawling on my hands and knees to Friday at 3:30pm. 

Last Sunday the weather was glorious! Mother Nature kind of laughed in the groundhog's face and his call of six more weeks of winter gracing us with a 71* day. King Ralph, D and I headed out to walk a new (to us) trail. We even took our pouch along. It was exactly what we all needed! February, for me, is notorious for a heavy load of defiant students. King Ralph is dealing with work nonsense. While D is college senior stressed. There is something about fresh air that is so healing to the mind and soul.

By Wednesday Mother Nature laughed again and dropped an hour of snow flurries from the sky. Thursday it was bone ass cold. I ran a heater under my desk at work all day to fight off hypothermia. 

This weekend we are back to the spring weather. Friday I came home shed my closed toe shoes for Birkenstocks. Made myself a couple of grapefruit martinis and sat on the deck. I felt the nonsense of the last two days melt away. And Saturday. Woooo! I got something exciting planned. Can't wait to share the experience! 

When The Save Button Fails

Last week I started to draft a post about my political feelings. It has always been my rule to not make posts of my personal political views--regardless of how many people might share my thinking. So when twice my edits didn't save I took it as a sign to move on. 

Last Friday after work King Ralph, M and I drove to see D in her final college opera performance. After the opera we took a few her friends to get beers at a new beer house. A place that didn't scream college drunk fest. It was inviting in its industrial astetic, simple decor and butcher block picnic style tables. The plethora of beer and cider options on tap made our eyes sparkle. The pretzel chaser we ordered was large, hot and delicious! I shall return for a few brews, and a pretzel, with D before she parts way in May. (Funny side story: when I went to close out our tab my card was declined. Haha, I accidently gave my flex spending card to the bartender. Honestly, I can't see why beer isn't considered medicinal?!)

It was when my political post seemed sabotaged by the save button that I knew to reflect on what the last four years gave me, gave us, that was where my heart was meant to be! 

And we never failed to remember the flowers. Always flowers!  

In the end I was saved by the save button. Amen to that! 

Weekend Warrior

I feel like I'm on a streak of bad luck. 

Weekend bad luck. 

Last Friday morning I woke up at 4AM with my stomach churning. I made a valiant attempt to get ready for work, but by 5:30AM my head was in the toilet bowl. I spent a good part of the weekend getting IVs,  anti-nausea medications, shots in my arse and just curled up in a ball, moaning. 

The plans that were to happen last weekend was to start checking off my Oscar buzz list of movies. Those that know me know I have an obsession with seeing all Oscar nominated films. Friday was to be a date night with King Ralph to see Manchester by The Sea and Saturday was to be a daughter date to see Jackie with Princess A (King Ralph said not a chance in hell could I drag him to that one.) 

Here we are this weekend...didn't want to jinx myself with the movies I picked last weekend. I decided we would head over to Frontenac for dinner at the Canyon Café and then pop over to the Landmark Theater to see Lion. What the hell! Mother Nature come on, another ice storm?! So here I sit taking an unpaid day off work because it's too dangerous to drive. I'm scrolling through my Netflix options. Series of Unfortunate Events it is...no pun intended. 

Well I'm all bummed I'm not going to be going to the movies again this weekend, but my poor M's best college friend/former roommate is getting married on Saturday. There's been tears from the bride when the florist refused to deliver the flowers on Saturday, the hair and make up lady canceled....  And all the while all King Ralph and I really care about is that everyone gets to where they need to go safely! I could imagine wedding photos surrounded by ice dripped trees would be magical, but in reality it's really just a bride's hell! 

So. Here I'm putzing around the house cleaning this and cleaning that...sipping tea and watching Netflix...putting a puzzle together to the sounds of tiny ice pellets hitting the windows. 

Winter. I love you. To a point! 

Good Bye 2016

This year I have been suffering mental exhaustion from work. This year I find myself reminding me that the students I encounter are but a mere percentage of the student population. I remind myself it's no big deal to have a new boss. This year I come home and am drained...creative juices all but spent on politically correct letter writing and fake niceness. 

While I took the weekends of October to shower myself in fun, friends and relaxation...did I mention my trip to hang with Amy Roloff?

Ya, I forgot to mention that bit of fun. November and December have the usual holiday stresses of their own. I am proud of myself though, because I kept "holiday Jodi" (as my girls have labeled my wig outs) in complete check. 

I took control of my stresses last year by losing 25 pounds (15 more to go). I got my medical obstacles taken care of--some with pills, one under the knife. Also, I decided I didn't need to let my coworkers's nonsense disturb me any longer. It has been easier to put all my other stresses in perspective by just tackling one. The domino effect is working! 

Keeping myself paced through the holidays has been a tremendous calming to me. We decorated the tree as a family (this consisted of girls decorating while the men watched till the angel needed placing). I shopped and wrapped while those around me seemed flustered at getting the jobs tackled. The girls and I had a baking Sunday. It was relaxed, fun, not a chore. I kept my house very tidy so excessive mad cleaning wasn't a necessary. 

Then Christmas came. 

We feasted, worshipped, and sipped French martinis while opening gifts on Christmas Eve--as a family.  

Christmas Day we feasted, sipped cocktails and played games--as an extended family. We celebrated family members announcing a pregnancy and an engagement. We did loads of dishes and gorged on cookies. It was all a jolly good time!! 

I decided to fill my spare time this year with something more meaningful that gives and gives back. I am now a Make-A-Wish wish granter.

There is something fulfilling in adding joy to someone else's life, kneeling in front of someone else's Christmas tree to snap a picture, remembering the true spirit of Christmas. When you know the goal to granting a wish is total reality...pure and utter excitement overtakes the heart! 

With my heart full and my mind/body relaxed; I've taken to doing what I want on my winter break from work. I spent an evening at the movies with King Ralph, M and D to see Passengers. On two separate mornings I went solo to the movies to see Collateral Beauty and La La Land. I spent another day flopped on my bed binge watching "This Is Us." I lunched on The Hill with King Ralph and Princess A.    

So ya, I'm getting it. Life. In a better healthier way. 

No 2017 resolution required! 

It's Not Goodbye, But See You Later

While some people have been consumed with post election mental breakdowns...I was busy feeling good. You see I chose, we chose, to spend the weekend away from negativity and the TV. 

King Ralph and I took The Wanderlust out for once last adventure. We walked the dog along the river. We grilled. We drank wine under the almost full moon. We made campfires all weekend. King Ralph smoked cigars. I read my book, while Fall's fresh cool air kissed my skin and the campfire warmed the air. 

King Ralph and I were truly relaxed. Not a care in the world! 

Then we winterized The Wanderlust. Tucking her in for cold months ahead, and waiting for Spring to come back around again. 

Till then....