Strawberry Fields Forever

Two years in a row makes a tradition for us. Chile's Orchard has strawberry picking beginning in early May and we've taken advantage of that on Mother's Day two years in a row. With sunny skies and early before the crowds arrive is the perfect combination for successful strawberry picking!

Soccer - Third Saturday

Happy Mother's Day 2011

The two reasons I celebrate Mother's Day today!

Derby Day

Although we were not surrounded by family and friends on day to celebrate the Run for the Roses, we celebrated just the 3 of us at home. AND WE WON! $5 Win and $5 Place netted us $158!!

I picked Animal Kingdom because it was my favorite park at Disney. We had a great time there, and a great time watching the horse come from behind to win!

What Michelle Obama knows for sure ... about marriage

The Obamas have been married for 18 years, and they say they've learned a lot during their years together. "It has to be a true partnership, and you have to really, really like and respect the person that you're married to because it's a hard road," Mrs. Obama says. "There are highs and lows. But if, in the end, you can look him in the eye and say, 'I like you' ... I stopped believing in love at first sight. I think you go through that wonderful love stage, but when it gets hard, you need a little bit more."

The Oprah Show article

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a highly misunderstood 'holiday'. Although I like to celebrate with chips, salsa and margaritas, it is less celebration and more rememberance in Mexico.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a happy, popular and exceptionally vague celebration of Latino culture. In Mexico, and especially here in this historic state capital, the celebration is mostly a martial one — with jet flyovers and a military parade — to commemorate the Mexican army’s decisive victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Today's soccer was awesome. Ellie did terrific! She ran, and ran and ran some more. She has learned how to work with her other team members to move the ball down the field in the right direction toward the net. She knew when to go in on someone on the opposing team to challenge them to get the ball, not ever on her own team. It's amazing how she knew the difference. And her endurance was much better .. she lasted until the last whistle!

Royal Wedding .. William & Catherine

Weddings always bring laugher and tears .. and many moments captured in pictures. Although I did not rise at 4am to begin watching, I was fortunate to be able to see the beautiful entrance of the bride and the vows .. with Ellie saying, "Mommy, don't cry. I know you're going to cry!" And when it came time for them to speak at the altar, Ellie giggled and held her hand to her mouth loving the whole thing!

I truly remember every moment of July 29, 1981 .. and nothing was lovelier than Lady Diana .. until today. Kate, now known only as Catherine was absolutely beautiful!

Say it isn't so ...

When I ordered this baffle for the bird feeder the intent was to keep the squirrels from eating all the birdseed, NOT giving them a nice place to stand while eating it!

Easter Sunday

Lots of fun today from the moment we awoke. Ellie was in our bed at 5:30a.m. to ask if the Easter Bunny had been here yet. I convinced her we needed to give him a bit more time. So we slept until 6:45a.m. ... She loved her Easter Egg hunt, her basket and her day of cooking and getting ready for dinner.

The Martineau's arrived at 3pm .. and we grilled porcini encrusted beef tenderloin, roasted red potatoes with rosemary and asparagus for dinner. Ellie and I worked hard on the Easter Bread, while Bill made his famous cheesecake with strawberries for dessert.

We had a wonderful time with them! We loved Easter in shorts and being out on the patio for the 85 degree weather ... ahhhhh!

New App - Instragr.am - for sharing photos!

My friend Michelle introduced me to Instagram today! It's an App for the iPhone that allows you to take and share photos .. and the best part for me is the enhancements!

Aren't these great?

May issue of Oprah Magazine featured Maria Shriver's favorite poet, Mary Oliver. Here's a link to the article. It was amazing.

"Look, the trees
are turning
their own bodies
into pillars

of light,
are giving off the rich
fragrance of cinnamon
and fulfillment,

the long tapers
of cattails
are bursting and floating away over
the blue shoulders

of the ponds,
and every pond,
no matter what its
name is, is

nameless now.
Every year
everything
I have ever learned

in my lifetime
leads back to this: the fires
and the black river of loss
whose other side

is salvation,
whose meaning
none of us will ever know.
To live in this world

you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go."
— Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver's Good Reads Quote site

Earth Day 2011

I explained Earth Day to Ellie this morning how we use today to remember to take care of the planet. I explained even she can help to reduce water and energy use.

"How Mommy?" she asked.

"When you brush your teeth you turn off the water instead of leaving it on when you're brushing. And when you leave a room, like your bedroom, you remember to turn the light switch off. This helps reduce water and energy use," I told her.

"Okay, Mommy." she said cheerfully at the top of the stairs as we descended.

At the bottom she yelled out, "Daddy don't you know it's Earth Day! You didn't turn off the light in the dining room!"

That's not exactly how I hoped it would go .... but I do hope she remembers to shut off her bedroom light more often!

GREAT Message ...

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Ellie's 1st UVA baseball game

Yesterday's game versus Duke was rained out, so the team played a doubleheader today. Games at 1pm and 4pm ... and the first game went into extra innings .. so we got in line for the second game. As luck would have it .. we are kinda lucky this way ... a man was coming out of the gate as we were headed to the ticket line and asked us if we wanted 2 general admission tickets!!? So for the low, low price of $6 (kid's general admission) we enjoyed several innings of UVA v. Duke! Sunny seats in the bleachers right on the first base side. Lots of fun!

Looking like a SCHOOL DAY!

We registered Ellie for kindergarten last night .. what a trip! She wanted to dress up today .. seems like good practice!

Cherokee Wisdom

One evening and old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside of people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret greed, arrogance, self-pity, Guilt resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

“Ownership Spirit, Dennis R. Deaton, Quma Learning systems Inc., 2004-2010

Spring has sprung!

Tulips abound outside our front door!

And temps reached 85 degrees today in Charlottesville!!

Vacation at Sea

View from our balcony Bill peeking out of the pool ....

John, Dana, Jude, Bill, Nikolai, Craig, Milissa, B, Lori

The man with his burro in Jamaica

View of Falmouth, Jamaica from our balcony

Jamaica

Bill & I in front of that awesome hanging art

Happy at sea .. on our balcony

Portofino for dinner with the entire group!

Our wonderful week away comes to a close .. Bill & I enjoyed a five-day cruise on Royal Caribbean .. Labadee and Falmouth, Jamaica were our ports of call. We arrived a day early and enjoyed the gorgeous weather and hotel pool at the Rennassaince Fort Lauderdale. We weren't sure a 5-day would be enough, but it was just right! The weather was perfect, the laughter abundent and the relaxation ideal! Here's a few highlights from the trip!!

Soccer - Second Saturday

Big treat after a soccer workout!

Handoff drill

Red Light, Green Light!

Although it was a bit sunnier today than it was last week, it was much windier .. and still cold! Ellie seemed to be moving slower and didn't have much pep in her step today! Maybe she was just tired .. and awaiting Grammy to arrive!