End of summer

ts the end of summer... the September long weekend. Everyone is squeezing the last breath’s out of this season. The river pathways in the city were packed. The outdoor cafe’s were full and all the store doors were open to the last of the summer breeze. We all know its over. It’s in the morning air. Retailers are reminding us in every store with the new fall collection. Halloween is 8 weeks away and Walmart has dedicated the size of a football field to merchandise. I wonder why we have trouble staying in the moment? We are constantly bombarded soon, we will hear the count down to Christmas, including how many paychecks. (Insert anxiety here) I am not participating! I am going to enjoy summer until the official end on the 23rd. Until then, I am wearing my white pants and flip flops.

Oh no not you!

I heard it and it made me cringe.. That negative undertone greeting. Starts like... “Oh no not you!”.... “ who invited you?”.... or... “There is no room for you!”. When it happened today, we all nervously laughed and it l instantly changed the energy in the room. If our daughters greeted a friend like that, we would have a chit chat about being a mean girl. So, as adult woman why are we “humorously” greeting friends and acquaintances by not including them? The little girls inside of us have been left out at the playground, and we don’t want to be left out as adults. Well, thats not entirely true. Sometimes I want to be left out. Like the kids bottle drive days, I can only hope they say “ who invited you” when I show up.

3 10's

I got a text from a friend this morning that the first day of school was like Christmas, I couldn’t agree more. The kids are excited (well for at least one day) and the parents just want some peace. As I was busy getting the girls ready, it dawned on me I was celebrating a few 10’s. 10 years at my house, 10 years at our little community elementary school, and a 10 year friendship. When we moved here, Cassidy was in grade 2. She cried on the first day, she was all alone. I cried too, thinking I was so mean. I had debated driving her back to the old neighborhood to prevent any further childhood trauma. It was a long day waiting to pick her up, anticipating a long tragic story about how she felt abandoned. Of course, when she found me in the playground she announced she had a “new best friend”. She couldn’t remember her name, only that she had really pretty hair. I love how children instantly make new best friends. This was our Mary. She is still one of Cassidy’s best friends, my daughter #5 and the most important 10 celebration today. These two are lucky to be able to look back and to have shared most of their childhood memories with each other. Happy anniversary girls, cherish your friendship.

New hair day

It was my new hair day today. Every 7 weeks I get these grey pieces in my head that remind me that I am not 18. I have to tell you, I prefer to look at my life through young eyes. Something happens on new hair day for me... my hair goes crazy. Its like going to the vet with Kaos, they just know someone with gloves are coming. I am sure Zizi my beloved care giver to the curls always thinks I walk around looking like birds are trying to nest in it. Once she has brushed, colored, and straightened I walk out a new woman. Somehow walking around with straight hair makes me step different. Its a very sophisticated grown up look. Much like putting on a great outfit and knowing it looks good. Can I really change my life by changing my hair? Possibly, but I like who I am with my crazy wild red hair, fits into my life. But every 7 weeks, it feels good to grow up... but only for two days.

Two Days to school & Two toxic shows

Two days and counting until the most wonderful day of the year... Back to school. The girls are ready. New clothes and shoes are bought. Back packs full of supplies, and they even have new hair cuts. It is time that they get back into a routine. They have spent the last week watching the most toxic T.V. shows. Big brother and bachelor pad. I sat down for 10 min and tried to watch, but was shocked how these people talked to each other and the back stabbing. I pulled out my soap box, stepped on and launched into my dialogue about how we should treat our friends. They of course all asked me to leave as it was only a T.V show. Is it really? Are these shows teaching kids to add more drama into their lives? I guess that is why I have stopped watching T.V. and reading the newspaper. It is like mold in my life. I have my own drama to deal with, and I don’t need to learn how to add anymore. I just hope that I am not sending my daughters off on the first day of school looking to “eliminate” anyone from their classrooms.

***I feel a backlash from all my friends who love these two shows***

Me, Myself & I

Being on vacation by yourself requires some bravery.  It requires stepping out and doing things.. alone.  I decided driving to the mountains that I would just step out and join in without any extra thinking.  I always tell the girls if you want to be included sometimes you just need to ask, so I took my own advice.   I have a voice in my head that tells me things that are untrue.  Like,  your not brave, everyone will think your lonely, or my favorite, your a fraud.  So,  I left that voice in my room and I looked for tennis lessons, wine tasting, nature walks, anything that would get me out.  People were intrigued when I told them I was on vacation with my favorite people... me, myself and I.  They almost wanted to take me in,  like a lost puppy.    I went for breakfast, a long hike and joined a group at golf.    I had dinner at the pub, sat at the bar and eventually got invited to the employee party (I declined at the mention of shots).  When I left this morning, I took the long way home, down a back bumpy secluded road and stopped a few times to enjoy the view.   I was not in a rush,  savoring my last moments before the hustle of the city.     I am found out how easy it can be to travel alone.  I only needed to make one person happy.... Me.. I really need to do it more often. 

Be gone to do girl

I was all grown up today, spending a late lunch at one of my favorite restaurant with friends. I have always fantasized about the people lunching on the patio on sunny warm Saturdays as I drove by in a frenzy. What would it be like to have a day, where you look back and really nothing got done? Does everything on my “to do” need to happen? I often force jobs on myself, and I am not sure why. Maybe it is so at the end of the day I can pat myself on the back. Today, as I left “lunch” at 5, I looked back and I had accomplished nothing. As a matter of fact, I was 3 hours behind schedule. I was suppose to be in the mountains hugging a tree by 5. A feeling of guilt began to engulf me, but as fast as it came to me, was as fast as I let it go. I lunched today like an adult, and left my stressed out “to do” list girl at home. Sometimes having multiple personalities really is fantastic.