Joey.

Joeys back, but most of you didn't know he was gone. I've posted before about how we got Joey, and my insistance to Lo that if we took him this was her dog, HER responsibility. Including waking up first thing to go "potty" with him, walk everyday before and after school, otherwise I would have no problem finding him a very good home. She took this very seriously and was truly amazing with him, in his first almost two weeks here we all fell in love with him. Then we got a call from his owner (my friend Kay's husband), that he missed him and wanted him back. Eek. I knew what we had to do, I talked with Rick, and then had a talk with Lo. She of course was heartbroken, but I explained we couldn't possibly understand his grief (of losing his wife Kay, and then giving up Joey), we packed up Joeys belongings said our good byes and tearfully dropped him off. This was hard, my heart ached for the pain my daughter experienced over this. She had been the perfect dog owner doing everything she was supposed to, but we needed to do the right thing and return him. We talked and had decided we would be here if Joey ever needed a home again.

The week we got back from Kauai I got news that Joeys owner was ready to part with him for good. On Lo's 13th birthday, she blew out her birthday candles, came home from dinner and her wish came true.

 

I can't help but feel my friend Kay had a hand in this from above. I miss her each day, but somehow having Joey In our lives and loving him as much as we do softens the ache of her not being here.

He's settled back in very well...

Snuggliest dog I have ever been around

 

 

Yep, and he even has acquired a small wardrobe ...

 

Posted with Blogsy

Routine

I'm here with lots of thoughts, but no time to blog. My girl, my baby turned 13, so many thoughts on that. Can't help but want to wonder the world, thoughts on that. My son will be 18 soon and graduate (putting off thoughts on that).

I crave getting into bed at 9 and enjoying an hour of peace and quiet reading or blogging, but instead I am finding myself rushing to taxi Lo, make dinner, clean dinner, talk to the kids while doing nothing so they have my attention, sending them off to get ready for bed while I make lunches, clean up from making lunches and get myself ready for bed, the quick debriefing with the kids about the day ahead and good nights. It's times like this that I desperately miss having their Dads help in all this. I have vague memories of how it went before to have a hand while one person gets the kids ready for bed and the other cleans up and enjoying quiet time together, now it's just sheer exhaustion when I hit the pillow.

For now sleep calls to me, and I process my thoughts on the bike, but I'll be back soon......

Posted with Blogsy

Boys.

Enjoyed breakfast with Lo and the boys this Friday morning (Kaiser was way too excited to get a photo of)

Obie. Not amused.

Lo and Joey

 

Joey

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Hui Ho

There are no bad days to vacation, but the hardest day is the last.

This trip has been amazing. Ricks family is probably the most loving group of people I have ever been around. Their love and commitment to one another, and spouses is admirable. I consider it an absolute privilege for my kids and I to be a part of it.

What's one to do on a last full day in paradise? Go for a long run at sunrise, make it a beach day and take in the sunset of course.

 

Heading out at the first sign of the sun

 

 

 

We had a bonus of our friends being here too!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Time.

I will never regret the time spent away with this girl. Day to day life is busy and exhausting, we do the best we can, but time away from it all we get to stop and take it in.

In a few very short days she will be a teenager. She is one of the most beautiful and kind human beings I have ever known. She makes me want to be my best and provide the best for her. I remind myself and others often, she is just 12, (but has the body of a 16 year old), I don't want anyone rushing her, she is still a child and I want her to enjoy the innocent fun for as long as she possibly can.

Last night we retired from the festvities early and laid in bed talking. There are people and influences that come into her life I have no control over. Some great ones, and some not so good, but I have to trust I have raised her to know the difference. She was talking to me about a person that was once in her life and commenting about some passive agressive things they had done on one of the social networks my daughter followed on. I decided this was an opportuty to learn what, when and how we should use this technology. I asked her what she thought of this person posting these things, and how did it make them look. Her answer was wise, and insightful. She reads people and their intentions better than I would expect.

She is a special one this girl. I love her to the moon, back and beyond.

And forever grateful for our time spent together

Posted with Blogsy

Vacation

I'm here again. I know it seems like a lot these last few months, it is, and I'm feeling it too. Doesn't mean however at 6 am on a Monday after a sleepless night, I don't enjoy my quiet time on the lanai blogging or reading. I do. At this very moment I'm actually waiting for the sun to join me in waking up, so I can run.

We are here in Kauai, but for an occasion this time. It's Ricks Mom's 75th birthday so all the siblings and spouses are here. Plus I brought my constant and one of my favorite travel companions.

 

 

Vacation is different for everyone. For me it is to bring a little peace to my life, and have some quiet time with those I love (with the exception of NYC, it's not quiet, but still it's peace and love).

I don't want the resort, fancy drinks and all you can eat. My day to day life is so scheduled, I crave no planning, no times constraints. Getting up when we want, having time to run, read, for Pete's sake even shower (a sometimes luxury at home)! Cook healthy foods in the condo and get dressed at leisure. A week of that centers me again, makes the craziness of my life doable again.

Back home in Wenatchee we've been stuck in an inversion for several weeks, no sun. Everyone kept telling me to get up high. I'd love to, but from the time we got back from Costa Rica, to now I was working Monday-Saturday, with my daughters activities in the afternoons, I was lucky to get a dreary run in on the canal. That's the other misconceptions about self employment, we can go whenever. While that is somewhat true, I own a coffee stand, not exactly a big money maker. I pay myself by the week and how many days I put in, but I largely rely on tips for my families day to day expenses. When I'm not there I don't get paid, and I definitely don't make tips. In order to offset that a bit, I pick up extra days prior and after. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not complaining. I love this life and the flexibility it offers in that way. It's just not the way some might think.

So cheers to a week of centering, calm, fresh air and the sea!

 

My view from the first day run

 

A staple here in Kauai , the chickens. Although I see less and less of them on each visit. A little worried about the little guys!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy