Kickin' It Keto Style

  Diana Frances Spencer, (born July 1, 1961, Sandringham, Norfolk, England—died August 31, 1997, Paris, France)     On this date. The date of Diana's death - it still makes me almost physically ill how soon we lost her. I believed then, I believe now & I will continue to believe this woman was an Angel sent to this Earth to teach people love & compassion.  It sickens me there where those who took her from us because they did not like her pure heart. If only she would have remained here longer, maybe this World would be a much better place. Maybe though - she was here just long enough to touch the lives that she did & leave her mark forever behind as:      The People's Princess! Long Live The Queen (Diana) - You are missed everyday!                                                           ...

Honestly, I have always had this thing about Pink Cherry Blossoms.  I don't know where it came from or even why but there is just something  about them that has me catch my breath when I see them.  Kind of like that feeling you get when its the first snowfall of the season.       In my younger years when all my friends were dreaming about how many kids they were going to have and who they were going to marry, I was making plans on the perfect home. It would be 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms.  A huge wood burning stove. Double ovens in the kitchen but even more? It would be a darker gray color with white trim and a huge Pink Cherry Blossom tree in the yard behind the picket fence. A wreath to welcome people  on the front gate. But most important ... The Cherry Blossom Tree.      In my mind. In my heart. I am not sure if it is because I am a Virgo or just strong willed but I knew  I wasn't going to let that vision ever leave my...

 

 

  I really don't know what it is about this time of year but for me it always seems to "hit" so much different.  Most people look forward to Summer. The longer days, the picnics & warm beach splashing's. I, myself, count down the moments until life grows colder in the day & turns darker sooner at night.      I guess I will admit that as one (and I am not saying me) gets older there are a lot of things that tend to be forgotten or just swept away as the past. Times that were once lived. Times that were once enjoyed. Times that are now left behind. Lost memories.      I am not one of those people. Growing up in The Redmond House was nothing short of amazing. A life that many others can only long for & even though I was younger at the time it was all happening, I knew it was special. I knew how lucky I was.      To this day I still remember all those feelings & still know how truly lucky I am to have been apart of somet...

 

  It is a good time to maybe try to get some sleep - try before the cats start in & the kids all wake up and tomorrow begins again.        I just wanted to jot a few things down, a fun little memory from today. Yes, because it happened not at this second but hours ago, I can refer to it as a memory now. If there was only away to always collect memories & not just things - how imperfectly perfect this World might be.      Rusty, Sebastian and I decided to head out to - like always, with not really any destination in mind. Fact: That is something that has never bothered me much. I do believe this ole Earth is spinning way to quickly and as Ferris said:  'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it'        I try to slow down whenever I can just to be able to soak everything up that is happening around me. Hence be, we never know where we are going or what we are doing e...

 

      Beth was to excited to even scream. All she wanted to do was twirl, twirl under the moon in Noah's arms while he lifted her high to reach the stars above. It was a mere second before she thought a different story - where was Noah? Her Noah, and how did he get inside without anyone knowing, seeing him or smelling that cologne. Kicking her foot up, she didn't care. He was back - that was all she cared about. Not the whos, the how's or even the whys. It was all to perfect but now she just had to find him.      She sat in the booth that holds her secrets and sadness. The one where she let many tears fall over him and thought that he must be playing a little game. "Games" she moaned. She hated games but if Noah was involved she would push those feelings a side and join his team.      Talking out loud "Why was he playing games? Did he think this was all a game? Did he think this was funny? - what was he thinking?" she couldn't answer any of t...

                                                            THE DAY I LOST NANA                                   March 10th, 2020      This day in calendar history has been one of my worst days. Today is the day that I lost my other 1/2 (19 years ago) My other 1/2. I guess that sounds strange because one would assume other 1/2 meant husband or wife and most of the time it does except in this case.      My other 1/2 was - My Grandmother. I miss her so much!  So many things have happened since she received her wings. My kids have kids. Great Grand-Children. O! How she loved little ones. I have been knocked down and I have crawled back up. I always stand up for what I believe in. I am still married to Rusty but he lives in ...

 

     The sun wasn't out today. That made my morning a happy one. I did fear though that it was just tricking me to see how long I would be able to stay in a good mood.  With Rusty here, it was decided this would be a good time to go out for a walk. We have a lot of trails that we venture out on whenever we get the fancy to get our shoes a little dirty. I was more then happy to jump at this chance, I never get steps in and I knew, this would be one heck of a time to do so. It was perfect outside. The sky was so gray that it kept us guessing if it was going to open up to downpour on us or not. The wind teased at times - tossing the leaves from the trees we "skipped" under. The ground covered in multi colors awaiting for Autumns arrival.      Breathing in the pre-Winters chill was more then exciting to my lungs. I couldn't have been in more glory if I was wearing my Queen Crown. Taking the low trail today. Taking our time. Enjoying every moment....

  If I have learned nothing more,  I have learned life really does go full circle.      A cold motel. Not "The Sleepy Bear," reminding me of the many years gone by. No more "free" coffee from the packets inside the room - NOR the .25 cent vibrating beds, I hated so much.      Topanga sure has grown. I still don't know who would name their child something that crazy. I haven't had a bologna sandwich in so long. Maybe ... Because I never much cared for them? My body wants sleep.  Tomorrow shall be a full day, again. I think of ways to cut my hair.  My nails need to be done. I love the silent sounds of fresh falling snow!      I miss you. I frantically search for you.  To find you.      I miss you. I look for signs. Any signs.      I miss you. I step through the woods. The woods, A place we always shared together. It is almost Spring.      I miss you. A lily. A wild one. ...

 

                                          KENT FAMILY CIRCLE DRIVE IN April 15th, 2020      Shailah and I have been doing a lot of "cruzin'" around,  ever since she obtained her drivers license.  Some days it is just around town and others to new spots.  Once in awhile we go back to an old new place to enjoy it  all over again.      Today was one of those days. Destination: The Family Drive In - Kent, Washington      Shailah and I both had different memories of this little  burger joint. Hers more fresh from yesterday.  Mine older from a 100 Worlds gone. Away.       When I was growing up, I would spend from Friday afternoon  till Sunday afternoon at Vikki and Bob's house in Seattle.  The drive from Redmond always seemed like such a long one.  Redmond. The place I called home....

       Autumn seems to be knocking on  the door today. Much harder then yesterday when Summer stood in front  of her laughing & teasing us. This is one of those days that really remind me how much I miss home:  Redmond House.      The huge maple 🍁 in the backyard  releasing its young ones, encouraging them to dance, twirling around before resting on the seasons last of green below our footprints. The smell of fresh baked Parkerhouse Rolls wafting from front to back door, every spot in between. Wood crackling in the fireplace, spending the months leading up to this moment, chopping & stacking, worn hands rest. Midnight sprawled across the orange colored carpet accentuating his jet black fur. Soft purrs of happiness.      I am a day older now.  I am a day wiser. I give you this: You really never do know  how much you love someone, how truly and  deeply you are connected to them until  they b...

                   February 14th, 2020 -  This date in Wood history.          In the words of Taylor Swift:  "Today was a fairy tale ..." & cut! Morning started out simple enough with Lucee'  screaming she didn't want her hair curled for school.  The rain started to pour yet we got her dropped off just as  the 9 am bell sung out. Praying she wouldn't trip as she  dashed to class with her goodie bags to hand out, all the  while as the one teacher kept yelling beside her:  "Oh My!  Oh My!  OHHHH MYYYY!"  FYI - we get that!      It was time to get Shurree' and head out to cash a quite  "out dated" check. Flimflamming  & hours gone by, we  finally got that done. Just in the nick of time to grab some  balloons and get everything set up for the big entrance  from "Stupid Cupid."  So far So good. Or maybe I am jus...

  Question: What does where I grew up smell like? A Saturday night rain storm. Sunday morning bacon frying. Fresh cut grass, clover searching. A first kiss, warm hands help. Fall leaves swirling. Hot chocolate on a frozen morning. Warm Parker House rolls after school. Blackberry pie, scants the extra salt. Cats in the driveway. Candy tins, empty. Bite size bars. The scent of Wind Song. Burning barrels (shooting) Aunt Rose. Wednesday night Wrestling matches. Balloons & Pink Champagne. Happy 21st. Green hammock, fresh pool water. The football team. Mustang Pride '81. Bike rides & pom poms. Batons. School being out for the Summer. Neighborhood boys. Many, many crushes. BBQs, bubble gum, nickels & 7-up cans. Hydroplanes on the lake. The Blue Angels. Public Market. Waterfront bound. Black licorice. Birthday hugs. Flying purple squirrels. Violets by the bedside. Heart shaped pillows. Christmas Fudge. Cedar firewood. Crackles. Photographs. Wind in butterfly quilts. Hummingbird...

  March 5th, 2020 I am so angry. I started this post hours ago.  My computer thought it would be funny just as I  was ready to post it - to update and restart so I  lost the whole thing. Now. Here I sit again.      My husband's birthday just passed. I mentioned out loud that we should have went to  Montana to surprise him. Big mistake. Huge!  Shailah heard me and informed me that if I didn't go  after saying it - that I was boring. An old hag who doesn't  like adventures. So, you know what I said? Pack your crap! I am not an  old hag.      Found a sitter for the animals, loaded up Rhonnnnnda and  hit the dusty trail. This is at 5pm mind you. Though , no different  then any other time we would be starting out.  After driving for about days, we hit a blizzard with no wind  shield wipers so I decided it was time to find a hotel to  camp in till day break when we could start out again. Yessss...

  How is it ONE song can take all the pain away? Just those few versus. How is it ONE smile can take you back  to every good memory? Childhood dreams.       My New Year's resolution, one of them was to take up writing. In a book. Online. Blogging even. So many thoughts gather in my head. My mind having parties within. Needing a record of such, not wanting to forget them.      Much of my younger years was spent  growing up in The Redmond House. The times living there will always be my favorite. The house that built me HOLDS my heart ♡ Thinking back to my Grandmother's cooking. Baking mostly. An unlikely match. Mayonnaise cake & myself.      I was quite wrong though. I couldn't imagine a flavor that might be produced from it but Heaven Sent for sure. Every flavor, texture, color that held nothing but unconditional love. A love I carry inside my heart now. A love so strong. So powerful. So beautiful. I will always remembe...

  We all go through rough times. Losing someone - a breakup and sometimes for a split second  it gets the best of us. I am no exception to that. I have found though that in my moment of weakness I cave -  then I come back stronger then I was before. I wrote this in one of those moments.  Those minuet minutes I let my head control me. Tears streaming down from swollen eyes - is how the days close for many. The ones IN love VS the ones NOT in love. Happiness. Sadness. 21 years OR 21 days. If the heart is real it is real. If it's not ... another yesterday the same as tomorrow. No change. My body is tired. My legs scream to dance. I just want rest! At last, Sebastian sleeps. The dark hugs me. Lullabies play in my mind. Questions run a rampage. Where do broken hearts go? What does  love have to do with it? How do you know when it's love? Does every rose really have a thorn? Good night, Igor. Good night. Remote and Click. I wonder, I must. Do I delete these thoughts? ...

 

  This is something I wrote right after my son, Mighty "had" to head back to college. I am really glad that I stumbled across it so it wasn't lost someplace for good - never to be read or enjoyed.       A s you know, this past week was an "end to Summer" for my son, Mighty  as he had to be back at college but before he left, he somehow talked me  into getting my 1st tattoo (with him).      He picked matching ones for our wrists. One of my favorite words. How could I say no? Easy if I knew the pain it was going to put me through. "Oh, getting a tatt won't hurt." "Getting a tatt is like little tiny pokes." "Everyone gets them. No pain at all." "You will get addicted." Lie. Lie. Lie  and did I say ... L.I.E.!      Giving birth was much easier. The pain getting this was beyond what I have ever felt! A sharp razor piercing my flesh, ripping away at the  skin until bone broke though. Well, maybe not that bad but it did hurt...