Life in the Middle Age Lane

I seldom talk about our other children.  Even though at times they take up more of our time then the human ones.  Mattie is a mix of pure bred Pomeranian and pure bred Poodle.  She has graced us with her presence since 2004, when I convinced our family to answer an ad in the Chronicle.  We usually get our pups from the SPCA but I really wanted a dog that would not shed and reduce  some of the allergies with John and Shelby.  I am so happy that we did get her.  Mattie is all love.  She is a cuddler at heart and seldom barks.  The complete opposite of her companion Wolfie. Wolfie, is short for Wolfgang Amedeus.  He was a gift from one of Shelby's friends from school.  He was born the year Mozart would have celebrated his 250th birthday.  Wolfie loves to wear clothes, especially capes.  Don't ask.  And is my barker, or more accurately a yapper.  He yaps at his shadow, the pool vacuum cleaner (he actually bites the rubber brush on the cleaner, when is surfaces!), he's my

 Words are hard to describe the fine line I walk in trying to be a parent of a teenager,  add to that the long distance relationship factor and it turns into the likes of disassembling a bomb.  Each minute ticking away like it might be your last. Your last time that your daughter will talk to you about her life, hardships, school, and most of all boys.  I never had a close relationship with my mom growing up and I am trying to avoid the same future for Shelby and I.  Raising a soon to be 17 year old is much different than a 15 year old.  She is more sure of her choices and who she wants to be.  This sounds great except that I feel that she isn't comfortable being 100% her self in front of me.  At times I catch a glimpse of this brand new adult and I smile inside.   Showing too much emotion and expressing how beautiful, wonderful, exceptionally smart she is, is a sign of parental "blah, blah, blah, and more blah".  Like I'm obligated to say such things.  There is

2003 John and I have been blessed with amazing friends.  We have always taken vacations with friends in the past.  A few without, but mostly with other families.  One year, my good friend Helen and Ed invited us to do an all inclusive resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  We had a great time and the kids loved the beach. It was Shelby's first time to visit Mexico and we stayed at a resort run by Germans, so we were treated to a very international type of vacation. It was so funny, that Shelby thought all of Mexico was like the resort since this was her first experience in that country.  What a lovely way to think that Mexico was nothing but a big giant all inclusive resort!  If there was only such a place!!! Favorite picture of the guys coming back from checking out stingrays Helen and her friend, Nikki, who also joined us The famous sombrero picture (too bad Emilio's eyes were closed) Emilio's had a great time doing a "intro to scuba divi

Happy Anniversary!  Last week we made reservations at Oxheart for our 15 year wedding anniversary.  I highly recommend this place, portions are small but with 7 or 5 courses you do not leave hungry.  I love the wine pairing and the unique preparation of common foods. Figs, grapes, okra, eggplant, goat, so scrumptious!!! When we planned our wedding my husband was not a big hunter, one because he didn't have the time (he married into an instant family) and two-John is a workaholic.  The reason I bring this up is because, September 1st is the opening of Dove Hunting Season.  So for many years, 14 to be exact my husband has missed opening weekend.  Complaining every year about the timeing of our anniversary.  I waited until our daughter was two years old before he married me, I could wait a few more days to celebrate an anniversary. Well, this year we comprimised and did our dinner at Oxheart on Thursday, packed up and headed to the ranch on Friday for dove season.  Apparently,