Tomorrow I will be getting on a plane bound for California. I’ll be spending time with some of the best people I know. Many of us met in kindergarten and have enjoyed Lasting Friendships. (I’m the brunette in the white dress.) Lasting Friendships I’ll start out the week in the L.A. area hanging with my BFF of 40 years, Tracy. Regular readers have seen her on the blog many times. She works in the movie industry and sends me pictures like this one reminding me that Sodapop Curtis was my ... View the Post

Looking Beyond its summer and it’s hot. But the heat does seem to make ice cream floats taste even more delicious. There are also mosquitos. But let’s not forget about the fireflies. Some parents may be hearing endless cries of “I’m bored!” Yet they can be ended with a bucket of water bombs. Endless lists of mandatory summer reading may exist. But the right book can change everything. Life is full of opportunities to focus on the positive. It’s true that there is beauty in ... View the Post

A few weeks ago my doctor recommended I start going to a local water aerobics class. Washing Away Fear. Washing Away Fear With my combination of scoliosis, osteoporosis, and arthritis she said it would be the very best therapy for my recent back injury. In theory, it sounded good. But I just couldn’t get past thinking that it was going to be a really uncomfortable situation. I just knew that I was going to feel bad about myself. But I forced myself to go. Nervously tugging at ... View the Post

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to climb onto the metal gurney so an x-ray could be taken. Sleepless night after sleepless night due to pain. Day after day of lying in bed when I needed to be doing so much more. Through it all, for some reason, I didn’t pray for healing. Instead, I was quiet, prayed for clarity, and for once just tried to Listen.  Listen Over two weeks ago I worked in the garden for six hours straight. Twisting, turning, pulling, stretching and lifting. Later ... View the Post

Earlier this week Mr. Decor announced “I’m off on Friday. Would you like to do something together?” I immediately felt heartsick. I needed to refocus. Refocus I am a planner by nature and each week my calendar features a precarious schedule so fully packed that a shifting of events is almost impossible. But I know what is important. With work, school, a child on summer vacation 24/7 and a home that has me employed as it’s a full-time gardener, maid, and chef I could see only one area ... View the Post

I recently attended a design event. As I approached the venue I saw a room full of well-polished people. Nothing can make me feel more like my awkward 12-year-old self… just desperate to fit in. Nobody Special. I scanned the crowd and someone caught my eye. She was standing in the corner tightly clutching her purse. I made my way over to her. “What a crowd. Looks like a lot of important people.” I said, a bit cheekily. She responded, “Yeah, I’m not sure why I’m here. I’m nobody special.” ... View the Post