Santa's Coming!

Geez, it's December already. One good thing though is that I've already bought the things that Elizabeth wants, so no shopping mania for me! We don't do a lot present wise anyway but we do love to have a big beautiful tree and she loves to decorate it.

Right now my little wonder is over at Woodie's giving him the money she earned at her garage Bake Sale, for his orphanage. God, I really love that little girl.

Farm Franklin Website

Ohhhhhh, Micki is creating the coolest site for Farm Franklin. I can't wait until it gets published!

Soccer Rocks!

This was our last game of the season today and it was fabulous. Elizabeth is really becoming a good soccer player! Her coaches were her favorite camp counselors during the summer...Oliver and Allen. I love Silverlake Recreational Center!

Farm Franklin

I've been taking care of the grounds at Elizabeth's elementary school, along with the help of some other moms and dads. Tomas started this one also a couple years ago and we're called Farm Franklin. (Franklin Ave. Elementary School) I noticed last week and again this week that it's looking a bit tired. So sad, because I've put so much work into it.

Next week I'm definitely going to do some pruning and replanting. Maybe Monday.

H COMPANY

This is my sister's blog. Quite awesome. With extensive research, and as a tribute to our Dad, she managed to put together the story and time line of our Dad's journey in WW2.
www.smallconcern.blogspot.com

DAD'S BACK!!!

Dad is out of the hospital and care home and recovering perfectly. After 3 months, he finally got to have his Sunday dinner here and see Elizabeth. It was great. Micki and Uncle Bill were here and we all scarfed down on Dad's favorite....deli. (current pic, soon to come)

I'm so happy.

Miss Obama Lover

I just found this picture of Elizabeth at the Obama Bake Sale Rally.
Toooooooooooooo cute.

Facebook

I joined Facebook last week and I love it. It's such a fun way to connect, keep in touch and stay current with friends. I'm back in communication with so many people! I visit it every day and see something.
www.facebook.com

Farm Feliz

This new venture is so exciting. I've never really been active in my neighborhood before, but this feels right. Tomas O'Grady and I have been friends for a few years and have done a lot of work at our children's school, so when he asked me to come on board, I jumped at the chance.

Farm Feliz is an organization to basically make Los Feliz an environmentally greener and safer place to live, with more community involvement. We've connected with www.MillionTreesLA.org and the Hollywood Beautification Team and have already got a committment of 70 new trees to be planted on residential streets here in Los Feliz, at no expense to the homeowner. Wild!

If you want to find out more, our new website is www.farmfeliz.org
We're still working on it but there's lots of info as it is.

OBAMA WINS!

My heart is singing. What a monumental day for all of us....especially for Elizabeth. This is one lesson I would have never been able teach her as well as this election has....that we are one people.
I am saving this video for myself and for her, as a reminder of who we are and who we can be.

Jackie

I went to visit Jackie Wednesday, expecting the worst, but instead, had a really nice time. She got all dressed up for me and we went to lunch. We talked for almost the whole hour...but of course, with me doing most of the talking. She was still fragile, but 100% better than I've seen her in years and years. I sure hope she stays on her meds and gets a handle this time...she deserves it. When I look at her, all I see sometimes is the girl I idolized all my growing up years. Gorgeous, smart and sweet. Boy, she was sure dealt a shitty deck of cards. I just want her to be happy and feel good about herself.

later. :-)

I'm on a mission....

Sorry I've been gone for so long again...but it's time not wasted. E and I have been spending a lot of time together this summer and I've been taking some time for myself to get healthy. I'm going to make this summer fun for her and productive. When she's not at day camp, we'll have lots o activities and when she's at camp, I'll finally spend time on me.

I devised some things at home I want her to do, but I don't want them to be a "chore" to do so hopefully, I can incorporate some fun into them. It's funny, one of the things is to practice her handwriting. So, the other day we got in a tiff and she lashed out at me and hit me in the arm. I sent her to her room and when all calmed down I went to her and said...OK, now we're going to practice handwriting. She was jazzed. I gave her a piece of paper and told her that I wanted her to write..."I will not hit" 50 times. She and I both smiled. She got it and I felt good that I did it in a nice way instead of my usual tyrannical way. She did the exercise, beautifully printed I might add, and we both came out smelling like a rose.

E and I went to the beach the other day and had a great time. I taught her how to boogie board and she picked it up instantly! She's at day camp right now and digging it completely. The best thing though is her swimming lessons with her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Schultz. Not only does she love the pool, she loves Mrs. Schultz.

I'm off to do errands and the gym.

More later. xoxoxo

Post 4th of July

Other than my eyes, I'm feeling great. I had a small procedure done to try and lessen the huge bags I have under my eyes on Thursday, and the side effects are itchy eyes and they're puffy. E says I look like a clown. I'd post a picture but I don't want to give everyone nightmares!

E and I walked again this morning. We walked around Silverlake Reservoir. 2 1/2 miles! This is my 3rd morning at it and it's wonderful. I'm on a mission to get back in the shape I've always been. The 9 years of the hormone fertility treatments, coupled with menopause and being a mommy....just kicked my butt! I have to get healthy again for E. What a treat it was to have her with me. We talked the entire time....about? Just stuff!

She's now going shopping at the mall with Mandy and getting her ears re-pierced. She was such a trooper. So brave.

later

Cash and Mira

I just got finished reading Cash and Mira's post. They're off! How exciting it all sounds.

I can't wait to read their blog throughout this adventure...it will be like I'm on the journey with them!

You guys rock! xoxoxo

School's Out!

Well, I've lost a month! Things have been so chaotic this last month with Elizabeth's last minute school stuff, last month with tutoring at the college and finally, getting the condo ready to rent again...geez...the time has just whizzed by!

Elizabeth is so big and beautiful...she's going into the 2nd grade! Mom should be here to see her blossom. She just finished a week at tennis camp and had a blast. She has 4 more weeks at a day camp in Silverlake and then we're going back east for a couple weeks. It will be nice to get away and just chill out. Yeah, right...with Elizabeth??? Chill out? I'm dreaming...but I wouldn't have it any other way. She's been playing nurse for me these past few days and it's so endearing as she loves taking care of me. She and David are the air that I breathe.

Later.

Flower Update...

They were stunning...if I do say so myself!
As soon as I get the pictures, I will post them.

One woman there, Lesley, asked me if I was a floral arranger. I laughed and say no...just a conservator of money, so I do things myself. Well, come to find out she's a wedding planner and said they were beautiful and better than some she's seen done by professionals. Wow...what a neat thing to say to boost my already inflated ego!

Then, Colleen, E's teacher said she wants me to do the flowers for her daughter's wedding. I laughed and said...no way. She then preceded to tell me I had to "because I owed her!"
At that point, I said...oh, you're so right...big time! She's more than any parent could ask for in a teacher for their child. She turned me around 180 degrees...not only that...she turned E around too. I owe her, big. She's my fav.


More later.

Photographs

Had nothing better to do, hah hah, so I decided to get out my favorite photos. I took these in 97 in Vietnam and Laos. I love them. Maybe I'll start a blog just for them. As soon as I figure out how to make enlargements of the thumbnails...I will do it!
xoxo

Flowers on the brain...

I'm so tired because I didn't sleep last night. Why? Because I blew it again and had caffeine, sugar and meat. Hey, if you're going to blow it...go all the way! But the show must go on so today will be a better day.

I'm all excited because I'm doing all the flower arrangements for the annual Teacher Appreciation Day Luncheon at E's school. I'm going to kick butt! It's going to be an Indian theme, ambiance & food wise, so I Googled flower arrangements for Indian ceremonies and found tons of gorgeous arrangements and ideas. Wouldn't you know it though, my David gave me the best idea. Jasmine garlands for the tables. I sure hope I can find them at the downtown flower mart...wish me luck! For the 2 super large arrangements on the food tables I'm going with huge orange Lilies, mixed with sunflowers and green fillers and fuchia orchid strands draping down the sides at the bottom. For the 12 arrangements for the eating tables I'm going to use orchids and lilies. Yum!

More later.

wow!

Women of today...eat your hearts out.
i love you mom.
oxoxoxo

mom

I miss her dearly.
I think about her everyday.
Everything I see, hear or say...reminds me of her.
Please forgive me, mom.
I love you. xoxoxo

david and elizabeth

i love david and elizabeth
i love david and elizabeth
i love david and elizabeth

xoxoxooxo

me, myself & i

Well, I'm starting all over again because I lost my first blog that I started a month ago. Whoa is me. I was furious for about 10 minutes and then realized...why? I mean, really Les, get a grip. If I'm going to get upset about something, it should be for more than a lost blog, right?

I've been reading Marilu Henner's books on getting healthy and she's quite amazing. She thinks along the same line as I do as far as why it's so important to feed the body correctly for the sake of not only the body, but the mind and soul also.

I've cut out dairy, meat, alcohol (which I didn't really do anyway that much) and sugar. Of course, I feel the effects already. Clear headed, rather than spaced out...I sleep better, and the aches and pains are diminishing. It's hard to stop all these lifelong habits and I've gone off the wagon a few times, but I always feel physically terrible the next day, so they're becoming less and less.

Now I have to work on my smoking. My goal is to stop by August. Yeah, me!

Onward and upward!

peace,
love leslie