This is the Life

My son is learning to play Monopoly. He is passionate about it. When he is succeeding (which in his world is buying properties, he has little interest in collecting rent -- like his mother, he is better at spending than he is buying), he leans back, laces his fingers together behind his head, and states, "this is the life".

I have at times, questioned my path, but it is moments like this that bring my life in clear perspective. Today, I watched my son walk a balance beam. I watched my daughter inhale a milkshake in the lap of her great grandmother, smiling with each sip and slurp. Together they splashed me like the Titanic going down as they demonstrated their ever-growing swim skills in our small backyard pool. And as I write this, he is setting up the Monopoly board yet again.

So as the summer days wane and I look to the scheduling serenity of the school year, I am taking this moment to embrace the last of the summer chaos and remember that yes this is the life!

Day 325 0r We Partied Like It Was 1999

Well, if I drank Sangria in 1999 which I did not. I had much cheaper taste buds then. Like Budweiser taste buds. Don't judge.

Anycheapbeer, I met three fabulous bloggers plus got to hang out with my new girlfriend, Lee. (You all know Lee. I have already written extensively about my undying passion for her). And while we might not have rocked the Casbah, the Heavens were. A terrific storm broke out and the lights were knocked out and stayed out. But being Moms as we are, we called for pizza, posted mini Hurricane lanterns around the table like a campground and shared stories as if it were a fire.

First off, I met two of my all-time Bloggy loves, Erin from the Mother Load and Tracie from Stir Fry Awesomeness. I have been following these two since I was a baby blogger and they rock. In combo with Lee, I felt like the new girl at school whom the cheerleaders invited over (and not in the cruel joke gone bad turned revenge-horror film kind of way)! They are both super cool and as funny in person as on their brilliant blogs. Also, Erin went off and doubled her donation to Heifer International from $50 to $100 which I matched. This makes her my hero and takes our total to $220! Yay!

But that is not all. I met a new blogger who happened to share a lot of East Texas history with my family. It was fun talking to her about shared landmarks and Golden Triangle folks. She is Leiah from A Southern Belle Trying Not to Rust (you've got to love that name, don't you?) She is funny and pure Southern woman. In other words, a great lady with whom to share an evening.

So all in all, super fun. Thanks, ladies for a great evening and even better conversation!