Just a picture...

..we need rain..I am so tired of watering my garden and have just started letting it die...we really need rain..

...maybe these girls can help us find some...

xoxo, t

Grandpa Clem..

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Clem. You are missed. It is always a vacant feeling we have when birthday's come around of loved ones who are gone...it feels strange not to buy them a card or give them a call...

It's funny, as when I think about my Grandpa I realize that I don't know much about him. I knew him for 37 years...but still don't know much. He was the quietest man I have ever met. What I do know is that he was in the Navy, in the war, was a tug boat captain for 45+ years, was a husband, father, grandfather, and had a quiet peace about him always.
During our visits, we would sit in the living room - my grandfather in his chair, wearing his signature cardigan sweaters, drinking his coffee, puffing on his pipe, and listening to the shipping radio....then silently he would put on his shoes and coat and just leave...driving down to the water, getting on his tug to bring the big ships safely into the harbor.
Sometimes, my brother and I would get lucky enough to go with him and help pilot the boat. I must admit that was usually the best part of our Summer vacations. Just silently cruising the harbor with our Grandpa. And when I got a job on a harbor boat the Summer's during college, we shared a silent connection.
My Grandpa was also a boat builder - he would get old ship light bulbs and build beautiful ships inside. His basement walls are lined with them. This is the last present my Grandpa gave to me before he died. I can look at it and feel his silent presence daily.

My Grandpa's most silent gift though, was his greatest to me. You see, this man did something many men probably didn't do in the early 50's(or even today), he fell in love and married a Divorcee with 2 young boys...provided for them, loved them, was a father to them, and adopted them and gave them his name..thus giving me mine.

Happy Birthday Grandpa..you are silently missed by me every day.
xoxo, t

A Wiggly Confession..

..I took my girls to see the Wiggles LIVE last week. I now have to come clean and tell you that they really don't even like the Wiggles anymore...Yes, Esther went through a stage where she LOVED the Wiggles and was obsessed with Dorothy the Dinosaur..see, exhibit A..her 3 year old birthday cake...
..but sadly, the Wiggles just aren't their cup of tea anymore. Last month when I heard the Wiggles were coming to town, I ordered tickets for us to go...2nd row...near the stage...near Anthony. My girls didn't seem to care..hhmm..I had to take them though, as it would look so obvious for me to go alone and stare at...Anthony.

So now, I am coming clean...YES I MADE my girls GO to the WIGGLES just so I could be near...Anthony, the blue Wiggle. I am simply ga-ga over him..and you know what, he touched me at the concert..he came down from the stage..and oh my word...it was heaven..he was so sweaty and lovely..and LIVE in concert..what a Wiggly World.
..not feeling too badly though, as I did spy a few groups of ladies WITHOUT their kids screaming for Anthony..now how obvious is that...my word.
xoxo, t

..oh, as they sing, and the kids are hearing "Yummy Yummy" and "Five Little Ducks" - this is the song that is going through my mind...

Mamma Mia!!!

Holy carp - sorry but I am overwhelmed right now. Have you seen THE movie - my word...I have no words. I don't remember LOVING a movie so much...EVER...EVER. I really really wanted to jump out of my seat and start dancing through the aisles of the theater. Why didn't I anyway? Seriously, unbelievable. I have always loved ABBA..but now, even more.

What a lovely story - for a woman, for a mom, for a daughter, for anyone. Romantic, lovely, touching, hilarious, so true, so meaningful, so full of life and love.
The movie takes place on a Greek Island..and brought me back to the years that Jed and I traveled...and especially when we sailed through the Greek and Turkish Islands...these types of movies, that make me go rummaging through my old stacks of photographs sometimes make me vacillate between being grateful for the life I have today, melancholy for the life I had then, and appreciative for having had them both.
As this movie has touched me so deeply to go in search of our vacation photos..I had to scan them in to share with you our pre-digital age travels to the islands. Yes, that is me, pretending to be Aphrodite in her lovely ruins....the ship we sailed...and our favorite restaurant from the trip...
..oh, Mamma Mia...I am coming back soon...
xoxo, t

..my favorite ABBA song..

Pretty Things...

I did something last week that I haven't done in a very long time...I went antiquing. In a past life, I loved old things, kitschy antiques, fabulous finds, dust collectors. In my new life, I just decorate my home with plastic toys, My Little Ponies and Polly Pockets. Adults may cringe when they walk in our home, but trust me, kids love it...and ya know what...after 5 years of fighting it.. I am now FINE with it, dang it! I like our kid-filled, clutter filled, toy filled, fun filled home. Trust me, it will not be perfectly clean or organized for many years..and I am okay with that.
Gosh, I digress...anyway, I bought some old stuff last week. It was fun and refreshing to step back in time again in these quaint shops. The best part was that I wasn't shopping to fill our home, I was shopping for "display" items. I need a few accessories to have with my Matilda Jane trunk when I am doing shows...and did I find some fabulous props at even better prices.
I just don't hope my addiction issues come into play, as I don't want to fill my home with these items...just a simple plastic storage tub will do...however, I bet my girls would have fun playing with these lovelies.

xoxo, t

PrettyMe...

Do you know about etsy.com? If not, you should! Thousands upon thousands of handmade items from amazingly talented people. Sometimes I can spend hours upon hours browsing for goodies. If you ever need a unique gift - etsy is your place.
I have a few favorite sellers there...but recently bought these cute Teacup apron skirts and bird tanks from PrettyMe. The quality and style is amazing..she is the sweetest lady ever...and better yet, my girls LOVE wearing these sets.
..and a little photog trick...seems like the only thing I can say to make my girls smile these days is "monkey stars"...not sure why, but it makes them crack-up. I recommend trying it with your grumpy kids too!

xoxo, t