Gold...

One of my favorite songs brings me back to a memory of Gold...

"Seize upon the moment long ago,

One breath away and there you will be,

So young and carefree,

Again you will see that place in time,

So Gold"

Living in the moment so cliche right? On a hazy, cloudy, picture perfect Saturday morning the phrase fits this moment perfectly.

I never realized how quickly and in a blink of an eye a moment can define a friendship or family and change them forever.

"How can it be when we can see,

So vividly a memory,

And yes you say so must a day,

To leave a ray of sun so Gold"

What's odd to me as I reflect on my friends and family these moments are "Gold". 

Siblings and cousins go off on their own and forget these simple moments. Moments of family holidays, playing tag all day, swimming, barbecues, and moments of leaning on each other when you believed the world was ending.

"Life is but a twinkling of eye,

Yet filled with sorrow and compassion,

Though not imagine all things that happen,

Will fade to old, 

though Gold"

As we get older we need to return to the basics of life. Never forget that family will always have our backs no matter what the circumstance may be. I wish life could just be "Gold" forever but time marches on, people change, and all will fade to old.

La Vie...

La Vie translated is “Life”.

Funny how “Life” seems to be moving at a rapid pace. I can’t seem to keep up with friends, sleep, or my final summer of High School whizzing by.

I should be laughing to keep myself from crying. My summer somehow seems to be grooming me for my future adult life which will consist of work, studying for college exams, and no time for FRIENDS!

So, imagine a lovely surprise that pulled me away from my hectic schedule. Two very good friends kidnapped me a few days ago, off we went to one of my favorite breakfast spots… “La Vie” eatery!

The food was awesome and the company was even better!

It’s amazing how you start out with a gaggle of friends in grade school. It then pares down in Junior High to a small group. 

Finally, to trusted group of 3-5 friends in High School.

What’s even better is when you’re able to maintain a long-distance friendship with someone you met a summer over 7 years ago, she is in town visiting this week.  I’m hoping to keep this streak of hanging with friends going. 

Yeah… right eh? Who the heck am I kidding!

Road Trip...

Being a product of parents who were teens in the 80s I’ve been tortured with their music, movies, COWBOY movies, TV shows, etc. 

Man Crush Monday... Sorry Tony!

It’s actually pretty cool (most of you might not think so) I had a crush on “Little Joe Cartwright” from Bonanza. Imagine my horror when my parent's broke the news "Little Joe" had passed away and had a full life with wives, kids, and grand-kids. Yeah… I’m not crazy and in the words of 80’s teen heart throb, Charlie Sheen… “Winning” … try and top that one!

So, this fine Saturday morning queue the 80s-theme song from “VACATION” … Holiday Road!

“I found out long ago

It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Take a ride on the West Coast kick
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

I found out long ago
It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road:

It's an 70s-80s thing...

Tribute to the 70s-80s favorite band-member of Fleetwood Mac… Lindsay Buckingham. Yeah… just Google it! 

I’m not heading WEST but EAST to the Lavender Festival.

Lavender Fields Forever!

What exactly is the Lavender Festival? It’s an escape to one of the most beautiful farms in Arizona AND its practically in my backyard. Tony, my brother, and I will be spending our Saturday in LAVENDER Fields. Ah… can you smell the relaxation of a Lavender lazy Saturday?

Going to the Dogs...

This week has literally gone to the dogs...

My little brother, Tony, and me all trekked down to the valley to be DOG-SITTERS!

I must say it's been a bit painful as the 3 of us are on MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME trying to blend in with the VALLEY inhabitants. What does that mean?!? Well, MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME according to Penelope is... Life moving in slow motion similar to a Norman Rockwell painting. S-L-O-W pace... no rush to get from point A to point B.

AND who knew the Valley of the Sun was located on the map about 2 clicks from HELL. Have mercy the heat... I have to give props to you VALLEY inhabitants you're definitely conditioned to deal with this HEAT!

So, back to life going to the dogs... 

Nixon

Gemma-Lou

                          

My older brother and sister-in-law are honey-mooning (is that how you say it?) in Italy. Man, what I wouldn't give to back in Italy right now! So, my little brother is dog-sitting Gemma-Lou and Nixon. It finally dawned on me (sorry, yes, I'm going off rails again) Ms. Gemma-Lou looks like a purse that some french poodle might carry... that is if dogs carried purses.  

Honeymooners in Rome, Italy 

So...

Back to the Dogs...

Matix aka Bat Dog

My older sister and her love are vacationing in Colorado. So, Tony and I are dog-sitting Ms. Tidly and introducing a.k.a... dunna-nunna-nunna-nunna-dunna-nunna-nunna-nunna-BATMAN! Allow me to introduce Mr. Matix the newest addition to our family of pups. Matix is a Belgian Malinois and has the energy of 12 atom bombs. Just look at those bat ears! My sister has him... I mean me on a tight schedule. The day begins at 4am and ends at 9pm. I'm thinking Tony is probably wishing he stayed his Mountain Standard butt at home!

Tidley

Lazy Days

All kidding aside, I'm having a great time hanging out with my brother, my love, and ALL the dogs. I'm looking forward to a family dinner this evening to celebrate my Nana's 76th birthday! Wishing the summer could last forever as I'm dreading the countdown to my Senior year! 

Oh Dad...

Oh Dad.... Almost every child  has said these exact words to our most wonderful parent in the world... Dads!

Dads are extraordinary creatures who can do and fix anything. Don't get me wrong they can.... most of the time. They also have a special powers to scare away handsome boys within 3 clicks of their daughters.

This beautiful Saturday morning, I would love to thank all the Dads out there in the world!

I'd like to thank them for being strong for their families.

I'd like to thank them for being the fixer uppers they are. 

I'd like to thank them for all the support and courage their give their children to push the envelope and follow their dreams.

I'd like to thank them for protecting their children's hearts from every boy or girl who manages to breach the front door. (P.S. Thanks Dad, but Tony isn't leaving anytime soon! )

I'd like to thank them for all the wisdom they have to offer.

I'd like to thank them for working as hard as they do to provide for their families.

AND... I'd especially like to thank them for all the love they give everyday!

All you Dads out there are special and deserve to have a very Happy Father's Day! Happy Father's day to my own wonderful Dad who is my hero! Love you!

Whistle While You Work...

Ya... no Disney or Happiest Place on Earth going on here today. Believe me there is no whistling going on while I work. I love my job and have a great time hanging out with the people I work with... but... geez... working 4, 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts can be draining. Ya I know... put my violin away right?

I have such a new respect for my parents who work day and night to ensure my siblings and I have everything we could ever need or want. I truly had no idea how draining working, chores, and studying for college exams could be. I suppose this is great training for what is to come in just over a year, part-time job and college full-time. It will certainly be a time of transition for me and no bed of roses.

 My saving grace this fine Saturday morning is I received the sweetest surprise from Tony when he returned from his Mexico graduation trip with his friends... HIM of course! 

Excuse the late post as I head off towards a little town about 45 minutes away to take my ACT exams. Trust me, I won't be whistling as I'm pulling out my hair taking this standardize test!

Job... Promotion... Graduation...Wedding = Colorado right?

Job... Promotion... Graduation... Wedding... = Colorado! Makes sense right? Not!!!

 I've had one eventful week. I landed a job at a local Country Club doing a little bit of everything. Working every night and then cramming for finals was pretty interesting.

My little brother was "Promoted" to the 9th grade! Nothing like starting at the bottom of the ladder again. He should do fine as he is wicked smart. Tested in 97% percentile for high school Algebra/Geometry.  Poor kid will be in College Algebra his freshman year in addition to all the honors courses. 

Tony Graduated tonight! I'm so excited for him and a little sad knowing the countdown has begun for him to head off to college. I've spent the last couple of days with his family. I've had an awesome time meeting friends and family. AND... his Grandmother from NM reminded my family and I of my Grandma Jane. Her mannerisms and she has no filter... just like Grandma Jane. The phrase is "diarrhea of the mouth" her phrase and we loved every minute of it.

After graduation my dad and made a trip down to the Valley. We're catching a plane heading to Colorado to meet up with my mom and little brother. My cousin is getting married in Denver.

Finally... I'm looking forward to a 10 hour car ride back home. I may finally get some well needed rest.