Dudes, where have I been?

It's seriously been a month since I posted... what's up with that? Oh, yeah, life.

Let's see, had our summer vacation; had Girl Scout camp; had some dates with that guy (and I keep having more); had some fun with A and AA; had a death in the family; had Boy Scout camp preparation; had Board meeting preparation; had a lake trip; had a lot of movie theater trips; had some firework lighting; had some beautiful backyard pool time; had some yard work; had some walks and bike rides; had more than my share of coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper, wine, beer, and chips (though not all at the same time); had some sleep (though never enough, really).

Yeah, that would explain it.

The clock plays tricks

At 9:00 I was tired.

At 10:00 I climbed into bed.

At 11:00 I am still awake.

...sigh...

Waiting-- not my specialty

When I'm meeting someone somewhere and I get there first, I get all nervous when the other people aren't at the place because I'm sure I'm at the wrong place...

Turns out, I'm in the right place and they are on their way-- yippee!

I need to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone...

I've started seeing someone, someone new, and by seeing I mean have had a date, the second will occur this weekend, we've had some excessive texting and long phone conversations. I think I might like him-- he gives me butterflies when I see his number on my phone, hear his voice, and am an my way to meet him.

I'm so trying to keep it in check- you know, don't want to jinx it, but inside I feel all giddy, like a little girl. We'll see if giddiness continues, if giddiness is warranted, we'll just see in general...

Adventure, California-style

Yesterday Wheat Thin, Twinkle Fingers, AA and I arrived at LAX for our summer vacation. Well, really it's our summer adventure.

We stayed the first night in Silver Lake- part of the Hollywood Hills, then this morning we drove 8 hours north to Orland, California, home of the west coast Farm Sanctuary.

The FS is a place where animals previously mistreated on factory farms, petting zoos, laboratories and the like are brought to live out their lives peacefully being well-loved by vegans and 'regular' animal lovers. We're staying on the Farm in the cabin-- we're loving it!!

Tomorrow we'll help out around here, preparing foods for the animals, brushing the goats, and lots of cuddling. We also happen to be the adoptive family to many of the animals so we'll be loving on them a little more than the others.

Saturday we'll head back to LA via the Pacific Coast Highway (yep, that means across the Golden Gate Bridge) for our final two days of our summer adventure California-style.

Much more to come, I'm sure.

He's 12-- approaching 13-- and I'm just not prepared

I wonder as I sit out front of this swimming pool what happened to the baby boy I knew. It seems like in the blink of an eye he became 12, approaching 13. It seems that in the blink of an eye I'm picking him up from spending the afternoon swimming with two girls. It seems that in the blink of an eye he cares what friends think more than what I think.

Sure, these are all the right things. And I'm confident I'm raising a son who will make good choices (not every choice, but I'm hoping the majority) but I think deep down I'd prefer to have one or two more years before I had to start letting go.

Instead I'll enjoy knowing that he's a kid I like, and one not too independent to still hang with me in front of his friends. I love that Wheat Thin-- that's for sure.

I just don't get it...

... DWTS just confounds me, always has, always will, I imagine. And know what, that's OK.