Sum..Sum..Summer time…

Summer +’s: Never-ending sunshine, swimming ; sun-tans, walking through the creek with my beloved black Lab/mix; Off Deep Woods spray, gardening, fresh cut grass and breezy nights.

Summer –‘s: Girls are gone, endless days; date nights, humidity, arguments with the ex; too much sleep, and canceled vacation trips; unproductive days and too much quiet.

As July quickly approaches, I have nearly completed all of the above. Good and bad I’m afraid. I’m a creature of habit. I will be the first to admit all of my habits are not so good…and the good habits, I don’t do enough of. So in saying all of this…I Herby declare to (try) be more aggressive in achieving my goals and dreams too.

So far the summer is a bit different than the norm. Emily is home more. She decided to play high school soccer for one of the best and most competitive HS soccer teams in the state. Thus the summer warm-ups started early June!! Tryouts are not until Aug. I’m proud of her. I’m also pleased that her dad is being empathetic to her feelings and needs (at last)…as well as giving up a large portion of his summer visitation with her is groundbreaking when it comes to our history of visitation arrangements. It’s like something out a divorced family fairy tale…you know, where everybody gets what they want and nobody holds any grudges…(well not yet, anyway).

My little Madeline is at her Daddy’s without her big sis much of the summer. Which I thought would not be so great...for numerous reasons… but I was wrong. She seems to being enjoying herself…for which I’m eternally grateful. Nothing makes me happier then my girls holding their own--no matter what hand has been dealt their way. I should of known she’d be just fine. After all, she is the oldest when her big sis is not around. The oldest to four younger siblings…. she is marveling in this new found revelation…probably the good and bad sides of it too.

I realize I worry too much about everything. But now is the time to combine my worry with action.

A couple quotes from my calender companion for women…

Remember, the things, people, and experiences we have loved and left are good for us. We can see patterns, progress, regression, and stalemates—all manner of insights that give us a clearer picture of ourselves.
Summer is a good time to remember.

“Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.”

-Erica Jong
*Have we been looking for someone to blame?

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought By
the Touch of the Master's Hand.

Happy Fathers Day!
I love you!

Twilight: The good, bad & ugly...Fans of all ages...

Vampires....Twilight..It's been the subject in our house for months and months and months.

First my teenage daughter. I found her staying up all night just to finish one of the books!

Shortly after my easily distracted 11 year old started reading the series and fell in love with Edward, Bella and Jacob. I felt a duty to check it out...make sure its appropriate, that kinda thing. So I dug in.....deep. I was pleasantly surprised my the intriguing yet bitter sweet love story that kept me turning page after page...book after book. I found myself just as engrossed with Twilight as I'd been with Bridges Of Madison County and The Notebook.

Vampires aside I feel like my girls get the essence of the love story and that makes me happy.

My youngest began idolizing the actors who portrayed Edward and Bella in the motion picture Twilight. (Robert Pattison and Kristen Stewart) My little one was reading all of the tidbits and viewing as many pictures she could find of Robert and Kristen. A little girl crush.

Unfortunately, the bad things I've always tried to shield my little girls from is staring them right in the face. Drugs. A photo of her idol smoking something from a pipe. Of course I told my girl that not everything written in magazines and posted online is the truth. I also reinforced my famous..."the truth will come out in the end..." However, I've heard nothing additional of these negative photo's. Did I miss the retraction?? Are the photo's real? Were they photo shopped? Is it true? I thought Kristen Stewart should of made some type of statement to her fans... Even just to say..."Its not true" As a parent I want that peace of mind for my girl. I want my child to see her idol defending themselves from slander...or facing the fire and admitting a mistake. The only thing keeping quiet does to the little girl fans is cast doubt. It leaves them questioning.."Is my idol trying to hide from a bad choice?" or worse..."I wanna be just like her"

I am angry with the whole "lack of" response by Twilight's, Kristen Stewart. Whether the pictures were fake or not-- be true to the fans, the little girls who want to grow up and be just like you. Stand your ground and put it to rest.


http://gossipteen.com/2008/11/26/twilight-scandal-kristen-stewart-smoking-pot-photos/

http://gossipteen.com/2009/05/25/busted-kristen-stewart-smoking-pot-in-italy-photos/