A Walk with Boston

A few weeks ago, I was walking around the park and ended up walking a good portion of it with a kid named 'Boston'. Boston, a seventh grader, informed me that he walks to and from school every day - a total of 25 miles per week. He walks 5 miles a day - 2.5 each way. And while in this day and age of childhood obesity, I think walking to school is great -- I couldn't help but wonder if that was TOO far. He has to be at school by 7:20 so he leaves his house by 6:30 every day - in the winter it isn't even light out yet. He crosses two busy streets and walks parallel to a busy road for probably a third of the way.  I can understand that if possible, walking to school is a great thing. But is there a limit? Or am I just an overprotective Mom that is going to have to lighten up when her kids get older?

The Steadfast Geranium

For the past couple of years, I have been working to make our backyard "a garden oasis". Unfortunately, I haven't been terribly successful. I've tried to expand the type of flowers that I use, but I always include my "go to" flowers - the marigolds, petunias, and geraniums. Then again, it shouldn't surprise me - these are the flowers my mother always had in her garden. And like these flowers, my Mom has always been a "go to" person in my life. Like the geranium, she is strong and beautiful and can deal with a lot and still pull through. I may not always remember to water my geraniums or call my mom as often as I should, but I always know that they will there. Steadfast and strong. How lucky I am to have such a wonderful woman to call my "Mom" - I couldn't be prouder. 

And speaking of moms, here are a couple of pictures from our Mother's Day hike at Lair o' the Bear Open Space Park. Being Mom to these two boys couldn't make me any happier.  Sometimes I need reminding that I should treasure being their "go to" person right now (as exhausting as that can be at times). Before I know it, I'll need to drop them off blocks away from school, I'll get no hugs in public, and I'll be completely and utterly embarrassing to them.  Yup - "go to" is definitely good. Just ask my Mom. 

Enjoying Bear Creek

Climbing the Tree


Holding Hands - Too Cute!

Why I Love Fridays

I love Fridays. People just seem happier on Fridays. People seem nicer on Fridays. When I was working, there seemed to be less stress on Friday, less meetings, and more positive vibes and uplifting anticipation of the weekend ahead. 

But the love of Fridays isn't anything new. As a kid, I remember piling into the station wagon with family friends and heading to the neighboring town for pizza on Fridays.  My mom never cooked on Friday. Friday was the night to "go out". And when one grew up in a town that had little options for eating out, this was a big deal.  I remember my mom's FAC (Friday Afternoon Club). Yup, Fridays were something special and this was instilled at a young age.

In high school, Fridays became football games and "driving mains'.  In college, the kick off to the weekend often began on Thursday, but Fridays were still full of anticipation and time with friends. Friday night happy hours became the norm after entering the "real world".  And although, the location of Friday night happy hours is often in my own kitchen, it signals the beginning of the weekend.

Now that I have my own family, I've implemented Friday night "take out" (one of the many ways I am like my mother). I don't have to plan dinner. I don't have to worry what we have in the fridge or if I have all the ingredients. I can just know that the weekend is almost here and I'll be kicking it off with the folks that mean the most to me.

Virtual "Cheers!" to all of you! Happy hour is almost here!