Going Out of Town

So, getting into the final countdown for a new adventure. My oldest daughter and I are getting ready to leave for Ukraine for a month! Yikes, I've travelled a bit, but never out of country.

So, today, we had to go get some shots. Nothing too fancy, or so I thought. We ended up with me getting two shots (and gotta go back in 6 months for a follow up) and she got four shots (with a 6 month follow up also). Ugh! The good side is we found a fabulous gal at the local Public Health Services who walked us through the various shots we needed, answered all our questions and almost made the shot process painless. No, I'm serious! We hardly felt the shots.

What's left to do to get ready? Let's see. Gotta find out what size our carry-on luggage is allowed to be, get our packing lists together, put together several more training plans for our group, come up with 3 devotions each for our our group, get someone trained to do my job, get some more bills paid...........Oh, I'm sure there's more...I just don't know what it is!

Honestly, I'm looking forward to this trip. What a neat opportunity to get to know my daughter better, to serve others and to see something else of the world.

WHY D MAMA IS SO IMPORTANT

D MAMA is a big deal. She is a mother bear. She loves those cubs. Once you are a part of her protected circle, you are in. She will charge, swing and destroy anyone she feels is a threat to her circle.

Thanks, D Mama for letting me in.

Speaking Fearlessly

So, I'm speaking at the PJ Party of the Year! You go girls!

Seriously, so looking forward to this party. It'll be great fun with great speakers. Can you say, lovin it!?!

whaddya think? Hardworking Guys are Great

Ok, so I came up through school during the initial stages of women's lib movement, feminism, etc. We were taught that little girls were better than little boys because we could do everything they did and still be female.

The truth, as I'm finding it now, is that it is wonderful to be female. But we're not necessarily better than the boys just because were girls. In fact, there are some things that boys are better at than girls:

• Keeping parts of life separate--let's face it, they don't worry endlessly about the kids, the kids's futures, the kids's mates, whether the kids have eaten the best possible breakfast, whether the hubby is getting enough of the right foods for his age, etc.
• Hard work is an easy thing--seriously, the physical stamina of a man is amazing! And he seems to recover his strength and energy better/faster. That's why first there was the Six Million Dollar Man, then the Bionic Woman!
• Looks younger, naturally, longer---again, let's just face this fact. Most men seem to age more gracefully than most women. Drats.

Ok, so I'm breaking out of the old ideas of girls being better than boys. I'm learning to accept that sometimes men can be better at things than women. In fact, I can almost say, vive la diference, without cringing.

You go, boys!

Where is your passion?

Today was a fun day. I got to get up early to hear two fabulous men speak. Ruben Larrazolo of Alebrijes Mexican Bistro and Gary DeGrande of DeGrande's Cafe.

Man! These two have a passion for food. But, it's not just food. It is really their expression for their passion for life and love for people. OK, and a passion to feed others with good food. Seriously! These guys are two of the warmest, kindest men I've had the honor to meet this last year.

And their passion for food and loving people is reflected in their restaurants. DeGrande's cafe is located in Lodi's little industrial area. 2370 Maggio Circle in Lodi, Ca. They are open Monday through Friday as mostly a lunch cafe. But don't be fooled by either the location or the hours, or anything else! This is a cafe hiding a secret--a food secret. DeGrande's cannot be beat for their sandwiches, their soups, their biscottis or any of the other wonderful sweet things they've got going. Find them! Trust me, Find them!

OK, so, it's after DeGrande's closes, or perhaps you're looking for a weekend treat. Want a new experience in Mexican food? You've just got to try Alebrieje's Mexican Bistro. Ruben make a special on Friday nights that is to die for. What is the special? Well, you've got to go by to check it out since it changes each week. Or, pop in for a special weekend brunch....juevos divorciados (divorced eggs) is one of my faves, along with the chicken burritas, along with....OK, I'll admit it, I'm an Alebrieje's junkie.

Alebrije's is tucked away on the corner of Ham and Lockeford St in Lodi. They are on the northwest corner, tuck in past the donut shop, past the beauty shop and before the tanning salon. This is truly a treasure worth finding!

March--A new month-Same Me

Ugh! New month. Let's see....mortgage due. Phone bill cycles through again. Also utilities, insurance, all the other bills....

Shouldn't a new month mean something new? Well, besides new bills? What about new dreams, adventures, plans?

Blah! I'm feeling all grumpy today. Uh oh...maybe that's the new me--Grumpy the Dwarf! Ha ha. (Ok so, I'm feelin' a little better. Get it? Little? Oh, never mind.)

Have a good march!

Some quiet, some sanity

Ok, I have been looking for a place of quiet and sanity for a bit now. Not that I don't love or appreciate spending time with my family....it's just that somehow or other I have managed to make it OK for everyone to take my time but allow me little to no time for myself. (Shame on me!) Anyways, I'm sitting in my office at work, everyone's gone, enjoying the quiet. But only for a few minutes since I need to go home and get things going there pretty quick. Plus, I just miss spending time with my kids.

Hey, get a little quiet and sanity...and let me know how you do it! Drop your card in the comment box on the way back to your life, Please.