Summer Sidewalk Chalk

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Privatization

making this blog private... got a freaky e-mail, it creeped me out- so invited readers only here now-my public- non personal blog will be barefootOCmama

Today's Adventure

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

later that spring

Make a Smilebox photobook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A little rain

Feeling the burden of my procrastination, the weight of my irresponsibility.

On the way to yet another dentist appointment (have you flossed and brushed today?) I got pulled over yesterday- for holding my phone. I had it on speaker, but couldn't quite hear. I have a suspended license, for a FTA for a fix it ticket on a car that we no longer own. I used the excuse that we didn't have the money or appropriate paperwork... that's what extensions are for.

The officer was really nice, but warned me sternly that if I continued to drive I'd likely be arrested, my van impounded and my children taken by social services until a relative could get them. OUCH! All for scheduling and paperwork issues. So sad, that real criminals drive around every day and get away with it for years,

I have been super grumpy for the past week. Yesterday I found out why- Aunt Flo arrived (for the fist visit in 2 years) after the officer let me go, with only a ticket for driving on a suspended license (he was understanding about the speaker phone confusion). I'd so rather be pregnant than bleeding...

uhg, sorry, probably TMI for a public blog...

At least I had a lovely little house to come back to, and my two gorgeous children were happy and safe, and my parents were there (a recurring theme) just when I really needed them. Mom drove me home in my van.

Is is something in the stars? Our friend got towed the other night, another friend's car broke down- which planets rule transportation?

Thirty Seven

I love the house I live in. I love the family that lives in it with me. Down to the fish named Sammy who lives in the bathroom. The back patio is inviting and the little lawn of green grass is maintained by someone else. The other fish- Puff the Dragon, Peachy Cleany Meany, Scaredy Catty, Charlie & Lola live in the heart of the home, looking out on this outdoor living area complete with comfy patio furniture.

Green onions, parsley, and two types of tomatoes in 4 inch pots stand at attention ready to join the other horticulture in the happy scene.

A birdhouse sits keeping time in a plum tree that went from twigs while we looked to white blossoms  during the move and is now full of lucious leaves in glorious green. Twinkle lights now adorn the covering, and a shiny grill sits ready to make mouthwatering the marinated meats of the man. 

A subtle whistle sounds as the train rumbles through town just to the west of us. At just the right moment of the day you hear the mission bells ring just prior...

A large bluebird visits daily. He is curious about us and keeps his distance, but is boldly building a nest from twigs plucked out of the gated garden guarding the front door. Filled with purple daisies, magenta blossomed topiaries and mini allium- can't wait to see what color!

Children fill the neighborhood with shreiks and screams as they ride the thrill of "the hill" on their scooters and attempt to sell their spoils (rocks, bark, flowers & sticks) to the parents who frequently peek out their screened entrances. 

The towering trees to the east tell of the time that people have inhabited this historic area, the bells ring from a tower built in 1776, the year of our country's independence.

This is where I begin my 37th year. Happy Saturday.

Why does my mind go blank?

While nursing Joy-bug today I had a brilliant concept of a wonderful post- if only I could remember what it was about! It was insightful, poetic, perhaps even a bit thought provoking, inspirational- dare I say downright memorable? The laugh is on me...

The days are whizzing by, I keep wishing for a break in the constant onslaught of duties & diapers, just a brief respite to re-invent myself now that I have a new backdrop. Who am I, what do I stand for? I was longing for the time to meditate meaningfully on that age old question, while doing the dishes, making a grocery list and watching Joy empty out her drawer in the kitchen again. Family had been over after I got off work, a long exhausting morning that started at 3:45am, and a grocery story visit was looming in the future before dinner, baths and an oh so necessary nap- no time to figure my self out today I thought...

Tomorrow will be no good for these mental machinations either, I have to make jello salad for Easter, call my mother back and fold Mount Laundry, which is threatening to erupt any day and spew baby clothes all over my newly claimed bedroom. Sunday is Easter and that is a day to focus on family and finding eggs...

So when do I get to figure out who I am now? A new address, a new me... it's the way it's always been (did I mention I've lived at something like 28 addresses in my almost 37 years?) 

"This is real, this me, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be," Grace walks by singing along to Demi Lovato on her Hannah Montana MP3 player...

Honest to blog.

She smiled and signed off in search of more adventures.

Letterboxing

Sadly our second letterboxing adventure ended without a stamp, the same way as our first (sorry, Kiler Family!) At least this time we had the comfort of knowing we had indeed found it. After following the clues, unscrambling the code, and discovering velcro strips in the spot where a treasure should be, Grace and her Gaga were a bit downcast. 

But we did end up at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point- and decided that we must plan a field trip there soon.

Interview with Grace

Age 7
1. What is something mom always says to you?
"I love you."

2. What makes mom happy?
"To rub her feet at night time and to love her."

3. What makes mom sad?
"When daddy gets in a fight with her."

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
"Tickle me."

5. What was your mom like as a child?
"That I have no idea."

6. How old is your mom?
"37- I said that because your almost 37"

7. How tall is your mom?
"'bout 7 inches- I mean 7 feet!"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"Go on Facebook"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
"Take care of my baby sister."

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"Money...money, money, money!"

11. What is your mom really good at?
"I have no idea."

12. What is your mom not very good at?
"Singing." (no American Idol for the likes of us, huh Mel?)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
"Starbucks!"

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
"Chocolate"

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
"She gets money very well, and she works very well at Starbucks"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"Probably, like... Wonder Woman."

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"Go to park days."

18. How are you and your mom the same?
"We have the same hair color, mostly... and we both like park days, that all I can think of."

19. How are you and your mom different?
"We don't have the same eyes or the same taste."

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"When she hugs me, although sometimes she hugs Joy instead, which makes me feel bad."

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
"All of him- and to have him."

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
"Probably Mexican places, because you grew up in Texas and they have a lot of Mexican food there- please don't write that down!"

I swear I did not read her B's answers first, Melyssa- but wow it is amazing how many she answered similarly!!

Any moms reading this post who want to do it please do and put a comment here so I can read yours, this is lots of fun. Now Grace wants to interview me... so here is a link to her site.

Desperately Seeking a Fairy Godmother

What is the secret to life?

Always breathe. Well duh, without breath we would die- hence the secret to life. But while I am sitting here, breathing in and out- focusing on my breath as it fills me with life, I can't help but wonder- now what?

The Barefoot Bellahs are at a crossroads- we have been road weary travellers for so long, I have forgotten the destination. I have been intent on experiencing "the journey" and I fear I have lost my way- if I ever even knew the way, that is!

My horoscope today says not to lose sight of the distant horizon, stay focused on the long term goal and I realized that I didn't really have one. When I am at work I get caught up in the desire to "move up" in the infrastructure, climb the ladder of success- but I am compelled to raise and educate my children at home. Can I do both well?

G is 7 (going on 17) and I need to start paying attention to her need for independence, her desire to be more of her own person. While J, at just barely 1 year old, is going through a very clingy phase and wants her mama all the time. I feel overwhelmed when I am with them- trying to balance their needs with my own desire to feel successful and accomplished.

Having an entrepreneurial spirit I am constantly devising plans to start some venture or another and I 100% believe in each grand idea- until it shows itself to be seriously flawed or impractical.

Needed: 1 fairy godmother to help me figure out not what to wear to the ball, but where the ball is and whose court I should put it in, to mix metaphors... and since fairy godmothers are quite talented in time management, setting deadlines and creating an illusion to support the picture of a complete princess, maybe I would finally get moving in a direction that feels right.

So much to tell

Shawn got a job (yes, again!) he found out just as we were leaving to celebrate our 12th anniversary, he starts at NettSolutions next week... I am working part-time in a Starbucks with an ocean view near Laguna Beach...

We celebrated both girls birthdays... photos coming soon! G is doing a lot with the homeschool group and working on charting her learning achievements... J is learning baby sign language and fingerplays- she loves music.

We hope to move by my birthday and I am developing an idea to take my love of writing, social net-working, public speaking and homeschooling to a new level by next fall.

We are busy Bellah bees! I have updated both girls pictorial blogs A Joy A Day & Everybody Needs a Little Grace.

Friday before the parkday...

i was doing the dishes while g made muffins & j played

barefoot OC mama

Started a new blog- inspired by my visit to Belly Sprout & my friend Suzanne who has been building a wonderful site out of her passion for pop culture. http://housewifeinhollywood.com/

For barefootOCmama, I am planning on writing a series of reviews for homeschool park days, OC parks, museums and other places to take grammer school aged kids with baby in tow; as well as highlighting people, places (virtual and real world) & other things of interest to OC mamas with a barefoot mindset.

Happy Friday!

New Year, new schedule.

My schedule: an ever-evolving, meandering pathway to the future, includes copious lists penned by myself, ignored by my hubby, endured by my children? The framework that guides our days and leaves a path of scattered papers and half completed tasks.

But the completing of our schedule is my weekly tradition- and although I know that much of what I imagine and aspire to accomplish this week will live out only on the pages of my calendar, it is nice to have guidelines, reminders and options of what our journey will be like this week.

I started off this morning with a little music for myself from Blip while I read my Monday blogger choice, then we all danced to some music from WeeSing, and now we are off to focus on gratitude and complete the Thank You notes G is going to send after a wonderful Hannah Montana Skating Birthday party yesterday. Then to Target for her shopping spree with gift cards! We are like a that commercial with the little boy who gets a Target gift card for Christmas...

HAPPY new year!