Mind, body and soul...parched! That's exactly what I feel as a busy girl caught in the whirlwind of life at times. And as blessings would have it, I was feeling this way when I stumbled head-long into the oh-so-charming, Ciao Bella bath & body shop.
To be honest, I was surfing around the internet mindlessly. You know the feeling..."I have so much to get done today but I am blocking that out while I surf! At least until the kids run into the office."
When I stumbled into the website I knew immediately that it was something entirely special! It was a moment of pure "Ahhhhhhhh!" Which is exactly the way I feel when I walk into a spa for a warm stone massage and they are playing that soft earthy music...and it smells like lavender and there is not a care in the world that could rip me away from my white terry-cloth robe!
Continue reading "Ciao Bella...not just a fabulously romantic phrase" »
Mr. G and I spent last night at a luscious Sweet 16 party for a darling friend of ours. Somewhere between my pink martini and the amazing array of Italian food, the D.J. put on a song that slid my hips into a motion that resembled rhythm...and inevitably that tends to lead me to the dance floor. You'd think that I swung onto the floor with my hunky hubby in hand, but at the time, he was clear across the room. So I grabbed the arm of a few girlfriends and we drifted onto the dance floor together.
As I moved to the thumping beat of the music...I looked around me. Within a few feet of me was at least 5 delicious girlfriends. They were grinning, laughing and all were dancing. It was juicy and so completely full of life and threads that make up the fabric of girlfriend relationships. I could have stayed, right there ~ in that moment ~ for a long time.
But then Mr. G, showed up on the floor. And I tell you, he was there in his dark suit with this fantastic lavender shirt and complementary tie...smelling utterly amazing and looking so tall, Italian and handsome with those hazel eyes of his. Darlings, I nearly melted into the floor boards. He whisked me into his grasp and suddenly I was dancing with my adorable husband and feeling the full force of romance in all of its potency. I could have stayed, right there, in that moment ~ for a long time.
Continue reading "I wanted to stay, right there, in the moment..." »
Yesterday, I found myself deep in mommy-land. Kids on break...so there is feet and boy-ness everywhere! I mean everywhere. In closets, on couches, in bathrooms, up and down the stairs, under pots and pans...everywhere!
Realizing I can not do "normal" with this much boy-ness around me, I get on the phone with T to talk about our gym time...and I say, "Honey, there is NO WAY I will be able to wrangle these boys and get down there! Impossible. But T, you mentioned that 20 minute workout DVD...you know...the Jillian Michael's one? (Cause we're on first name chats with Jillian, the trainer on Biggest Loser, ya know. Um.... I wish.) 
"I was thinking...crazy idea here, but wanna bring it over and we'll do the workout together at my house?" She agrees with a kind of giddy joy that is totally reserved for girlfriends. And I am thrilled that she wants to do this! We get on the phone with my neighbor and our mutual friend MB and she enthusiastically joins us in this workout plan.
Now, if you know me, you know that I am in a house that includes 3 boys, a hunky hubby and a dog...all of which belong to the male species. I am the ONLY girl in the place. I've even wondered if the two remaining fish in the tank are boys. So perhaps you can imagine just how fabulous it feels to know that two other estrogen filled bodies are entering this boy drenched zone! I compare it quite literally to a splash of spring water on my face in the midst of the Sahara Desert. I adore these girlfriends - they are joy in a bucket!
Continue reading "Estrogen and a Mac Truck" »
Giving. It seems like an easy concept. But I have found in my short life span that it requires a lot more of myself than I had ever imagined.
This past week, I was given the opportunity to gather a few people to prepare meals for a family who had a sudden death in their home. I grabbed the list of volunteers who signed up to help in just such a situation. And began to call. Most of the people were very willing to fit this into their already rapid paced lives. But one phone call stood out among them...that stunned me.
The phone rang and a woman answered the telephone. I explained who I was and then shared the very sad story of this family in need.
"I was wondering if perhaps you could prepare a meal for this family next week?" I asked.
"Umm..." she replied, sounding rather irritated, "Where do they live?"
I gave her the location.
"Well..." and there was a slight pause...."I guess."
And with deliberate hesitation she continued...only this time sounding more bitter.
"I could make the meal but I won't drive it there."
This made me pause and then I replied, "Oh... ok."
And she went on, "I don't like to drive very far...and well...I'll just leave the meal at the church."
I told her I didn't know if we had a person to drive it to the location...and she quickly said..
"Well, couldn't the people just come and get it?"
I blurted out rapidly...probably too rapidly.. "I'm sorry but I don't think these people would be in any shape to pick up a meal...they are in MOURNING!"
Continue reading "She said what?!" »
Today is the birthday of a very dear friend Ms. Diana...who happens to own a very special blog known as Modern Mama's Fabulous Favorites! She has give-aways constantly! 
I've been looking at her items and drooling over one item in particular! They have these adorable little leg warmers for babies. You heard me right. Remember the 80's leg-warmers we all boasted? They are back. But in itty-bitty baby wear...imagine that! And they are available at her site. You must see the argyle pair..could it be simply more preppy? I love it!
